Passport and Chinese visa

[cgao]

In order to enter China, all foreigners are required to have valid Chinese visas. We will be applying for tourist visas for the group in one batch at the Chinese consoluate in LA. To do so, we ask that you mail us your US passports by May 25 (postmarked) along with the items listed below. After we receive the visas, we will mail back your passports if you have travel plans. For those of you not traveling internationally until the study tour, we can also hang on to your passport for you. From past experiences, this is the safer and more reliable option. If you choose not to mail us your passport, you will be responsible for obtaining and paying for your own visa. 

Please email the following information to me at [email protected] as soon as possible, so we can proceed with flight and hotel arrangements. 

Legal name as listed on your passport: 
Date of birth: 
Passport number: 
Passport expiration: 
All airline frequent flyer numbers: 
Emergency contact/s (include name, relations, e-mail, cell): 

Mail in by May 25

-passport
-passport photos (photo requirements)
-visa application (download below)
-medical letter (will explain during orientation) 
-travel itinerary, if already available, to/from Los Angeles 

Mailing Address

USC U.S.-China Institute
Attn: Study tour
3502 Watt Way, ASC G24
Los Angeles, CA 90089

 

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[Gabriel Valdez]

I can't find anybody that will print out passport photos the size that China would like. I spoke with a couple of people that went on previous NCTA trips and was told to send in standard passport photos. Anybody else having luck? I went to about 10 places today and made phone calls to some other places and pretty much that they aren't allowed to cut these photos with a different size. 

[Barbara Miller]

I asked my son for help with this because the specifications are pretty tedious.  I scanned my passport photo, and he then manipulated it to the correct dimmensions in Photoshop.  We had to use a high resolution in the scan, not the default one.  I am hoping it will work. I will print it on photo paper to send, as per Catherine's instructions. Are you adept with PS or another program that might work?

[Stephanie Kroop]

Hi Gabriel...

I ran into some of the same problems. I spent more time calling around and searching online after I didn't have any luck at the first place. I ended up taking my Chinese Visa photo at a place called "Hong Kong Photo Express." I was surprised by the amount of restrictions. The owner even had me retake the photo because he said I was smiling too much even when my mouth was closed. I watched him cut and re-cut the photo to the EXACT size required and he measured and re-measured my head placement in the photo until it was perfect. I did find a website online that will take a digital photo you upload and they send back the proper sizing on it...but after my experience I don't know if I could trust myself to be as particular as this guy was. It is worth it to take the photo in person and get it done right, but if you are in Fort Worth (right?) and are unable to find something here is the website:   https://www.epassportphoto.com/20/Free/China/Visa/step1

 

[Gabriel Valdez]

Awesome - thank you. I ended up finding a place and they will be there tomorrow. It's a bit spendy for a photo - $25 but I guess it will be done. I also heard FedEx and haven't called them yet. I have been doing 3 h of tutoring M-Th, so it have thrown a bit of a wrench. Yeah I know what you mean about the online stuff. Thanks, 

[Kristen Waltz]

I'm getting a physical later this week for the medical letter. Is there a form or specific information we need to include in the letter? What is everyone doing for this?

[Stephanie Kroop]

So far...I put any...

1) Allergies to medications, and pre-existing conditions that could affect my health.

2) Current Vaccinations (Hepatitis A and Tetanus were the 2 recommened--I believe)

3) International numbers and photo copies of any insurance policies both US and international --(in case something happens with my luggage or wallet, where I will also have copies).

4) Emergency contacts: both family and Primary Care Doctor

I would like to know if I am missing anything important to include in the medical letter too.

 

 

[Gabriel Valdez]

Part 2/2.1 - Short term visit to foreigner due to work or study? Are we visiting someonne in specific or is it for tourism? 

Part 2.6 - Hotel Addresses? 

Part 2.7- Who will pay for your travel expenses during our stay? 

Part 2.8- Information of inviter in China? 

 

Thank you

[Stephanie Kroop]

I had the same questions and Catherine already answered them via email...so I will pass along the info.

2.1 =Tourism

2.2 =Check Other: specify= Multiple Entries for 10 Years

2.5-2.8 Leave blank, Catherine will fill in later

[Gabriel Valdez]

Is our local id/citizenship number our driver's or social? Thanks, 

[Cynthia Lehr]

I was able to get my photo taken and printed at my local CVS pharmacy--they use a Kodak program and machine to print their passport photos. We played with the program, and it had all sorts of other ID photo-size options, one of which matched the specs for the visa photo size (1.3 in x 1.9 in). If that machine had it, I imagine many others do as well--Walmart, etc.

[cgao]

Driver's license

[Barbara Miller]

Has anyone else been advised to take meds for malaria?  My county health department advised this, in accordance with the CDC.  

[Gabriel Valdez]

I took malaria meds while living in Guatemala - no thanks to that again. 

[Stephanie Kroop]

I was looking online about a month ago when a friend who lived in China for about 8 months recommended looking at a map of malaria effected areas/zones. After looking, I came under the impression that the cities we are visiting are not heavily in malaria zones (image and website attached below). After visiting my doctor who is from China, she did not recommend medications, and my father-in-law also a doctor, did not recommend taking any meds for malaria--mostly based on where we will be traveling and staying.

The areas we are visiting... Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Kunming are all considered Regimen 4 Zones (=low risk) defined as:

No prophylactic tablets required but anti mosquito measures should be strictly observed: Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/asia.htm

 

 

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[Author]

Posts