Tourist Visa- Says 1 day duration!

Question

Hi,

I filled in my tourist visa, successfully I thought, but when I came to check the PDF it says duration of stay, 1 day! This is completely incorrect and I don't remember it asking this question on the application. We are actually going for 2 weeks. Nowhere did I put 1 day on it.

Has anyone else come across this issue?

many thanks,

Answer

Hello,

This is a relatively common issue with the online tourist visa application for China. The “duration of stay” field in the PDF sometimes defaults to 1 day, even if you applied for a longer period. Here’s what you need to know and do:

Understanding the Issue:

During the e-visa or online visa application, the system may automatically fill the “duration of stay” as 1 day if it cannot detect the intended period correctly from your itinerary.
In most cases, the visa consulate issues the correct number of days at the discretion of the officer, which may differ from the online form display.
The PDF you download is sometimes just a summary or draft and does not necessarily reflect the final approved visa duration.

What to Do:

Check your application confirmation email or portal. Often, the official approval notice specifies the correct duration, which may be longer than what the PDF shows.
If you already received a visa sticker in your passport and it shows 1 day, contact the Chinese consulate or visa service immediately to clarify and request correction before traveling.
Do not assume the visa duration is 1 day until confirmed by the official authority, as this could cause problems at immigration.
Some travelers print the PDF as a reference, but the actual entry stamp at the port of entry determines how long you can stay. Ensure you carry all supporting documentation, such as flight bookings and hotel reservations, in case immigration questions your intended stay.

Precautions:

Always double-check the visa approval notice rather than relying solely on the PDF summary.
If you notice an error before traveling, contact the visa office immediately to avoid issues at the border.
Keep a copy of your itinerary showing your intended stay for 2 weeks in China; this can support your case if questioned at the airport.

In summary, the 1-day duration in the PDF is usually a system issue, not an official limit. Confirm the approved duration with the consulate or visa office to ensure your 2-week stay is valid and avoid surprises at immigration.

Tourist Visa- Says 1 day duration!

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