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As an adult, this was my first time to get a visa on my own. I generally avoided traveling to countries which required visas since I didn't want the hassle. But then, with a Philippine passport, let's face it, we are not granted visa-free entry to a lot of the popular tourist destinations out there. I decided to start with China and I found it was easiest to get a Chinese Visa compared to others (because this is a late post and I've gotten a few other visas from other countries as I'm writing this).
You don't need to go to a travel agent. The Chinese embassy is located in Makati at 2nd & 3rd Floor, The World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue. Parking can be quite difficult so I suggest to go there early.
Bring the following for tourist visa application (category L) for first-time applicants:
- Original passport that is valid for at least another six months with at least one blank page for the visa.
- Itinerary telling them how you're going to spend your time in China
- Photocopy of plane ticket
- Photocopy of hotel reservation if any
- Original bank certificate
- Photocopy of BIR-stamped income tax return
- Photocopy of business permit if you are a business owner or original certificate of employment if you're employed (with details about salary and length of employment)
- Photocopy of professional ID or student ID
- 2 pictures 33 x 48 mm taken within the last six months
- Application form which can be downloaded here
They will tell you when to go back to get your visa. I got mine in four days. When you go back, that's when you will pay Php 1400 for a single entry visa.
These were the requirements I submitted for a first-time applicant. It's different for those who have already held Chinese visas before. I didn't have to submit a letter of invitation since I wasn't visiting anybody in China. If you are, however, a photocopy of that person's Chinese ID and passport with Chinese residence permit is needed along with the letter of invitation.
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