My friend has a 21-hour connecting flight going back to Amsterdam after the New Year’s Celebration here in Manila and I was invited for the send-off party all expense paid and Hotel was booked at Citic Hotel near the Beijing International Airport. I stayed in Beijing China for 2 days and 1 night.
Processing my Chinese Visa in Manila:
This is based on my personal experience and my reason for going to China. For other reasons or concerns you may have, I suggest you call the Consulate Office first, I have spoken to several nice people at The Chinese Consulate Office. They will answer all your questions over the phone.
First, I printed copies of my booked flights as well as my Email confirmation with Hotel Citic.
Next, I called the number for the visa hotline: ph.china-embassy.org Number for the consulate Office.
They asked me for my reason and why I need to go to China and the exact place I’m staying, the dates, and who am I going with. But it actually depends on your conversation with them. I asked them if I can request for a visa because I was invited by a friend of mine for a very short stay at the Citic Hotel in Beijing. The person on the other line said yes, and I need to make sure that I bring all the requirements that’s posted on their website. And they told me that I don’t need to schedule for an appointment I can just go there to the Consulate Office as long as all I am able to provide the Documents they needed.
You can check the visa requirements on the website, left side under the consular services.
Check the Holiday Notice too because that’s where you’ll see when the Consular Office is open.
Next is I clicked on the link for Visas for P.R. China (31 December 2014) the date means they have recent updates about the requirements or processing of the requirements for requesting Chinese Visa.
Since it is my first time to visit China I needed the requirements for the First time Chinese visa applicant.
Additional requirements that I prepared are:
a). Information about my finances – You can request your Bank Statement for the past 6 months with official receipt from your bank. Metrobank can process your request and you can claim it the next day – you also need to pay PHP 100.00
When I read some sites about applying for The Chinese Visa, they say that the safest amount, or the amount good enough to declare is PHP 100,000. Showing that you have that amount on your bank account means that you can afford to pay your stay in China or if an emergency happens then you have the money to pay for unexpected expenses. An example of an emergency would be cancelled flights or paying for additional expenses when you stay in China. Like taxi fare, or buying medicine, etc.
I was able to provide for the Bank Certificate but that is not the same amount as some writers had spoken about. So just to make sure, I made a letter explaining why I am not able to provide a big amount of show money for the trip.
Please note that what I am telling you is based on my personal experience. Should you have any questions you can contact the numbers under the consulate office.
b).Employment Certificate and my BIR-stamped income tax return form
c). Professional ID, or student ID, etc.
d). A letter of explanation is required if you could not provide the above-mentioned documents.
It is important that you make the letter unless you are unable to provide for the Documents, You need to put your Full Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender. I made my letter with the itinerary and the complete flight details and time, Hotel information and why you were not able to provide for any of the Documents they needed.
If you are being sponsored you must provide your sponsor’s Bank Cert, ITR, Certificate of Employment. And I also provided an ID photocopy, Passport Photocopy of my Sponsor.
Don’t forget to tell your sponsor that they need to make a letter of invitation explaining the reason why they are inviting you. The letter should include your personal details like: Full Name, Address, Date of birth, place of birth, Gender, etc. Just check all the requirements on the Chinese Embassy Website.
(Again, if you have questions, please call the number for the consulate office as I am in no position to answer further queries you may have. Thank you.)
As soon as I am able to have all the documents I needed plus my passport, Visa Application Form and Photo. Copy of my booked flight and hotel accommodation. I photocopied all the documents and I also bring with me my NSO, Baptismal, photocopy of all my ID’s, and Photocopies of my Sponsor’s ID and Documents. I feel nervous and excited as I do not know what to expect at the Chinese Embassy….
The Chinese Consulate Office:
2/F WORLD CENTRE ANNEX
330 SEN. GIL PUYAT AVE. MAKATI CITY
OFFICE HOURS: M-F 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM ONLY
TEL NOS: 02-8482395 to 96
Going there:
I am fortunate enough to ride an FX going to Ayala. From EDSA I dropped off Buendia. And since I went there last December 2014 after the Christmas Holidays, there was still heavy traffic so instead of me waiting for the long line, I decided to walk. It was a long walk yes, but I saved time and I don’t know how much the Jeepney fare is but it helped me remember and be familiar with the area.
Should you use google map you can see the World Centre Building beside the Megaworld Building.
MRT drop-off is at Buendia Station, ride a Jeepney or a Taxi (there’s a taxi service at the gasoline station but they ask you to pay PHP 50.00 per head.)
If you’re riding FX you can ride AYALA drop-off at RCBC, you can ride a jeepney going to Guadalupe or EDSA, you can also walk from RCBC to Salcedo Street go straight H.V. Dela Costa until you reach World Centre, you can see a Starbucks Branch next to the Building. You can even ask Security Guards for directions just to be safe and sure, I’m saying this directions in case someone got lost, It might be a long walk for you, but for me it’s alright. I was able to endure the heat and the long walk.
From LRT stop at Buendia Station you can ask for Jeepneys if they can drop you off at the Megaworld Building right pass RCBC Building. Or just mention World Centre.
Be early. There are seats available and once you get inside the Building you have to submit ID at the reception, turn LEFT past the elevator enter MEGAWORLD Office to your left you will see the stairs going up to the Republic of China Consulate Office.
Once you reached The Republic of China Consulate Office, go first to the Lady Guard and ask for a number. She will also check your Application Form, if the picture is glued on the form, she will check your Documents, Passport, Photocopies of Passport and other supporting Documents and she will help you arrange your papers too.
Again please use Glue (make sure to let it dry) for pasting your Photo on the Visa Application Form.
Take a seat and check windows 3-6 wait for your number to be posted on a piece of colored paper by group of five’s example: 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, etc.
Line up according to your number have all the papers ready and your passport, answer the questions they asked you then you will receive a pink form telling you when you can go back, or if they need to call you for additional documents (if you need any) which is after 4 working days, you need to leave your passport and all the documents with them. When you go back there that’s the only time you pay PHP 1,400 (depending on your request – 3, 2 days rush processing). Just check the exact amount on their website.
After 4 working days I went back, I presented my pink paper to the lady guard she gave me a number, window 8 for the cashier, I paid PHP 1,400 then I fall in line again at window 7 to get my passport and checked my visa. That’s it!
I was able to see Beijing during winter time, too bad I was not able to see the snow but the trip was worth it. We had great time. But you need to listen to their instructions, do not ridicule them because their English is not as good as yours. Never compare and always show respect. I’ve seen a lot of foreigners and some Kababayang Pinoy making fun of their accents.
Can I just add that you need extra cash for paying taxes when you are inside NAIA. I paid PHP 1,600 for the Travelling tax apart from the PHP 550.00 terminal tax. The booking agency was not able to pay this for us. So once you are inside NAIA have at least, PHP 2,500 in your pocket. (Just a reminder in case you need it) That’s for those who are going out of the country.
I am very thankful for the Chinese Consulate Office Manila, Philippines. Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat. XieXie.
masayahingpuso 