Chinese Tourist/Business Visa For Thai Pr Holders

[Jaykiss]

Thought I share my experience might be helpful to someone out there:

Just went to apply for the visa today. As friday was a holiday, today being monday was full of people. I was told by the guard that people come to queue as early as 6 in the morning while the consulate opens at 9:00. Well i reached at 9:00. Had filled up the form (visa application + supplementary form) beforehand by downloading from their website.

I am a Thai Resident Permit holder since the last 13 years. Own 49% stake in a registered ltd. part. Have a salary + workpermit of the same place since 13 years.

I took with me:

Copy of Passport, Copy of White Book (PR), Copy of Red Book (Tangdao), Copy of Workpermit, Company Registeration, House Registeration (Thabiyan baan), Invitation letter from a company in China, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Book Copies (3 months) plus originals of all the above <--Well i thought that was more than enough!!

Anyways, Went in the number being called was 34, i got a 162. Meanwhile I had to queue up for getting my documents checked before being called according to my number. Had to stand in the long queue until my number came. Handed over the documents to the thai/chinese lady sitting on the desk. She said everything is fine. Returned to me my work-permit copy, thabiyan baan copy, PR copy; she said not required. Also told me to keep back my PR and Workpermit as it wont be necessary to show the originals. Fine; so I waited until my number was called. It was approximately 12:30 p.m. now. Went up to the window; handed over the documents.

The lady at the desk said,

Why are two things ticked in the purpose of visit? I had ticked both tourism and business. (Ref. # 2.1 Major purpose(s) of your visit(s) to China). As much English I know I made out that we could tick more than one reason as I was actually going to one city for business and the other for tourism purpose.

Told her fine..just change it either one that will be easier to apply for as long as i get a visa for enough days as per my flight bookings. She changed it to tourism. Returned back to me the letter of invitation from my business counterpart in China. Now, she said the company registeration was in Thai, I had to translate it to english and get it certified. I told her i have a work permit (which the woman checking the documents said i didnt require to show) and its written in english along with thai. She took the work permit copy from me. She said its not enough. Get a letter from your company stating that you work there. For Gods sake, you have my work permit, company registeration; its my own business; above all i hold a permanent residence!! After much argument; she said we will grant you a ten day visa as long as you bring the letter when you come to pick your passport. Phew. (All this for a dam_n 10 day tourist visa for a Thai Resident Permit holder; and I thought in Thailand..a P.R. was equivalent to Citizenship)

Btw, for Thais if you apply in person, you just need your passport copy hotel reservations and flight reservations)

It amazed me that when i got my documents checked from one officer (not to mention standing in a queue for over an hour) she told me different things and at the counter i was told different things. Well i guess thats China for you!

Anyways, To aviod dissapointment;

Documents required if you are a Thai Resident Permit Holder:

Copy of Passport

Copy of White Book (PR)

Copy of Red Book (Tangdao)

Copy of Workpermit

Letter confirming your employment from employer or your own company.

Company Registeration (Nangsue rab rong borisat) (If its not translated in english dont bother 2 take it)

House Registeration (Thabiyan baan) (not necessary)

Invitation letter from a company in China

Hotel Bookings

Flight Bookings

Bank Book Copies (3 months)

CheerS!!