China Visa Application for Freelancer without ITR

Hi everyone! Just wanna share our personal experience on how we were able to get our Tourist China Visa. This is actually our first time to travel abroad. China was not our first choice but since we were able to availed a round-trip promo ticket for only 2,300 pesos we grab the opportunity. Whoopee!!!...we were so excited! not until I was informed that we need to secure a Visa. 

We were so naive at that time and was a bit disappointed about the process of obtaining the Visa. I immediately browse the net and found out the long lists of requirements for first time applicant. Here are the lists of requirements for Filipino applicants Tourist Single Entry Visa for FIRST TIME APPLICANT:

Basic requirements (from ph.china-embassy)

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page.  The previous old passport, if available, is required to be submitted; if the old passport is lost, or the applicant never holds a passport before, please make a clear statement in the item 3.7 of the Visa Application Form.

Note: It's very important to fill-out the emergency info at the back of your passport and DON'T forget to declare in item 3.7 of the Visa Application Form if YOU ARE A FIRST TIME PASSPORT HOLDER. If not, you will have to make a separate declaration in a form of letter.

2) Visa Application Form – Please submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Please type the answer in capital English letters in the space provided. Do not leave any field blank. Type N/A if the item does not apply. Application form of minors must be signed by their parents or legal guardians.

Note: 1. Cellphone Number format should be e.g. (922) 1234-567; for Telephone Number format should be e.g. (778) 123-4567

 2. Email address should be in capital letters also.

3) Photo – Please provide 2 color photos and affix one of the photos on the Application Form. The photo should be recent(within 6 months), front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. (Specific photo requirements, please click here. )  Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

Note: Just visit a photo studio near you and tell them you need a photo for China Visa application it would only cost you around 100.00

4) Travel itinerary - I did a very detailed itinerary with cost to show the consulate that what we have will suffice for our needs while in China. I can give sample if you want, just message me.

5) Reservation of round-trip airline ticket

6)Hotel or Hostel reservation - You can book in www.agoda.com and get confirmation right away. Choose the free cancellation option. This means you don't need to pay yet until the specified date and you can cancel anytime within the covered date charge free.

7) or Invitation Letter* (please see the remarks below) from China and the photocopy of the inviter's Chinese ID / Passport with Chinese Residence Permit.

*Remarks of the Invitation Letter

The above mentioned invitation letter must contain the following information: 

1) Information on the applicant : full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
2) Information on the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
3) Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.

The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.

The proofs of kinship refers to marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.

8) Additional requirements

First Time Chinese Visa Applicant – Please provide the following additional documents:

A) Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance(including the past 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate;

Note: Generally, they say you need to have 100,000 pesos in your bank account to be approved. In our case, since we are four travelers we would need more or less 400,000. That's a big amount of money, here's what we did, we just transfer the money to my spouse account after obtaining the bank certificate and bank statement. This is also the reason why I prepare a detailed Itinerary with costs to show the consulate that we don't need a big amount of money for our 3 days stay in China. But,  If you can provide the money needed that would be best to ensure high-rate approval.

B) BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form

Note: In my case, since I am currently employed ITR is no issue. But my ITR has no separate BIR stamp, what I did was I highlighted my name in the summary of our company's receiving copy with BIR stamp and attached it to my ITR.

In case of my husband, since he is working as a freelancer he has NO ITR yet. All you have to do is to write an explanation letter why you don't have an ITR. You just need to be truthful. (If you need sample, just message me and I'll send you the sample.) You can attached also the Paypal transaction as proof of your income and this will serve as your payslip if you don't have one.

C) Certificate of Employment(detailing the salary and the length of employment );

D) Business Registration Certificate(if you are the owner);

E) Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable);

F) Other relevant documents proving the applicant's economic condition/ employment/study, or supporting the applicant's travel to China, or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable);  

Don't forget to make a cover letter in your application. Please be informed that it should be individual. Just states why you want to visit their country, how many days your staying and bear in mind that if it is your first time to visit China you are only entitled for a Single Entry Visa

How to Apply  

1) An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.

2) No appointment is required.  

3) Mail applications will not be accepted.

4) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double	6 months multiple	Over 6 months Multiple
Philippine Passport	1400	2100	2800	4200

1) Regular processing time is 4 working days.(for example, apply on Monday and pick up on Thursday.)

2) Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

3) Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

4) Express and Rush service is not available to the First time Chinese visa applicant/ X1, X2 and Z visa applicant, please apply in advance.

5) Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

6) Only cash payment is accepted.

   

Other Important Information

1) The application materials must be authentic and complete. Forged and incomplete applications will be denied.

2) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

3) According to the relevant Chinese law and regulation, the consular officer is not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa.

4) Please check the visa after obtaining it. Should there be any discrepancy, contact the Visa Office immediately.

I hope this blog will help you and don't hesitate to contact me if you need any information that wasn't mention here. Our trip will be this coming September, I'll make sure to update you for our DIY Shanghai China experience.

DON'T FORGET THAT OUR ANGEL'S ARE SILENTLY NOTES TAKING.

...GOD BLESS EVERYONE...