Guangzhou visa

Question

Hi everyone, I will flying from Australia to Hong Kong for holiday in January, however, as we have 2 weeks to spend, we thinking to go 2 days to GuangZhou and 2 days to Shenzhen. I am holding Indonesian passport, so I understand that I will need visa to enter China. But, we planning to go there using the high speed train, and we cant buy the train ticket until 2 weeks in advance. Can I still apply for the visa without the train ticket? Is hotel booking enough for evidence? If not, is 2 weeks enough for me to apply for Visa? Thank you so much in advance for your kind help.

Regarda, Fran

Answer

As an Indonesian passport holder, you will need a visa to enter mainland China, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Applying for a Chinese visa usually requires proof of your travel itinerary within China, but it is possible to apply without having train tickets booked in advance.

Here are the details:

Visa Requirements: When applying for a China visa from Australia, you typically need:

Valid passport with at least six months validity and blank pages.
Completed visa application form with photo.
Proof of travel plans within China, which can be hotel reservations, tour confirmations, or flight/train tickets.
Sometimes proof of onward travel from China (e.g., return flight or travel to another country).

Train Ticket Not Required: While some visa centers request transport details, many accept hotel bookings as sufficient proof of your travel within China. You can include your planned train travel dates and approximate schedule in your application letter, even if the tickets are not yet purchased.
Hotel Booking: Confirmed hotel reservations for your stay in Guangzhou and Shenzhen are generally acceptable evidence of your itinerary. Make sure the booking shows your name, dates of stay, and hotel contact information.
Application Timing: Chinese visa processing usually takes around 4–7 business days, sometimes longer depending on the center. Submitting your application 2 weeks before travel is generally sufficient, but it is recommended to apply as early as possible to allow for any delays or additional requests.

Additional tips:

If possible, include a short travel plan outlining your intended activities, dates, and cities (Guangzhou and Shenzhen). This can strengthen your application.
Check with the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your city for any specific requirements, as they may vary slightly by location.
If you cannot provide train tickets, mention in your application that tickets will be purchased closer to the travel date. This is a common situation for travelers who plan trips less than a month in advance.

In summary, hotel bookings are generally sufficient for visa application purposes if train tickets are not yet available. Applying two weeks before your planned trip is usually adequate, but applying earlier is safer to ensure timely processing and avoid last-minute issues.

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