Visa hassles are a constant for expats living in China. The regulations and requirements for foreigners coming to China change often and are hard to pin down. Sheisty agents; panicked trips to Hong Kong; employers who promise, stall, and at the last minute fail to come through – these are all common occurrences. But what about the flip side, how difficult is it for Chinese to get visas to other countries? The requirements seem even more daunting: 6 months of bank statements translated into English; proof of 10,000 kuai in frozen personal assets; a 10 page form, in English, detailing your family background, parents etc. The list goes on and on. We asked you, foreign and Chinese alike: are these requirement necessary, are they overkill, are they outdated, are they fair?

Is it too difficult for Chinese to get visas to other countries?

Perspectives seeks to promote dialogue and cross-cultural understanding by featuring Chinese and foreign responses to a single question. Email us to be added to our weekly question mailing list or to suggest questions of your own and feel free to add your perspective in the comments section below.

I think the rules for Chinese going to many western countries are pretty clear and don't tend to change. If you can show you have money and are not going to run away you can go there, which I think is fair enough for tourists, particularly as the amount of illegals from China is high. Of course, some countries like the USA can get a bit paranoid about it, but certainly for those with enough money, those who want to study and those who can offer something to the workforce, most western countries will let you in as long as you prove it. This is in contrast to Chinese regulations for foreigners that although are often lax are actually quite unclear and don't really allow people to be here easily who do have money and can contribute.
H / UK

Photo: sludgegulper

Although, to date, I have not traveled outside China, through listening to friends and other teachers, I’ve found that Chinese people wanting to go abroad face very difficult visa application procedures. Every part of it is difficult and full of restrictions, for example, to provide photographs of loved ones, proof of residency, every possible kind of certificate, and yet you still might not get the visa. This process angers a lot of people. Now, China and the Chinese economy play an important global role, if restrictions against Chinese are so harsh, rules for investment in China should be equally so, it’s not fair that the exchange is so one-sided, is it?
    
I admit that in terms of the public good and courtesy this is not a very important issue, but it also closely related to China’s huge population, and the unwillingness to accept China’s positive transformation and that the problems China has are a common for developing nations. Friends of mine studying abroad have even been asked whether the Chinese people can watch television.    

This all comes from the long-standing prejudices that cannot be changed overnight, and require Chinese and foreigners to diligently work together to change. My wording may be a little intense; this is just my personal point of view.
LR / China

Yeah, it probably is, but then that's probably because there are some Chinese people who ruin it for the others and get a visa and just stay in that country. Oops.
R / US

Photo: cathyse97

I guess it’s not too difficult when you have a invitation. At least in my experience. Of course I hope in the future when China develops more I can get a visa as easy as an American coming to China can.
G / China

Absolutely not. I'm in Australia right now and have a contact at Aussie immigration who makes it clear why visa applicants from China are considered 'category 4' applications. Much of what she told me was known to me from my time in China anyway. Basically, there are so many applicants from China (a truly staggering number) that it's impossible to accommodate them all, and a high proportion of these will use any means to produce the required documentation and evidence to get their foot in the door. Such means routinely include false academic scores, forged certificates, and meaningless bank 'loans' (a standard service at some banks in China) designed to show an applicant’s financial ability to make ends meet. These more obvious (but not easily identified) methods of gaining entry under false pretences are the tip of the iceberg for immigration officials worldwide when considering applicants from China, many of whom ultimately aspire to citizenship. And what country in the world wants to accept as citizens individuals that cheated to attain the privilege?

She also tells me that Chinese visa holders are greater risks for breaking the condition of their visas, particularly with respect to exit dates. A growing problem now are those arriving for short term travel and claiming religious persecution. So no, I don't think that it should be easier so long as overseas immigration officials are being inundated with fraudulent, time consuming, and costly applications, which is a great pity for the many Chinese who genuinely deserve the chance to study, work, or travel abroad. 
S / UK

No.... as long as you have all the documents needed.
Newsletter Reader

Not to Australia, in my experience, if the required paperwork is correctly submitted. Most rejections are because of inability to comply with requirements or misinterpretation of instructions for applicants and will be reconsidered if corrected and resubmitted.

All countries governments have a duty to their own citizens first, and must ensure that visitors or immigrants do not pose a health or crime threat before admission. Prevention is better than cure. Applications are sometimes seen as intrusive for the questions they ask, and approval may take longer than the applicant would expect. The public servants responsible for vetting applications often have to check claims in forms for accuracy, causing delays. Currently, all governments, including China's, are requiring extra precautions because of H1N1 virus and the potential entry of extremists posing as ordinary tourists. We all, no matter our nationality, have to expect these inconveniences in today’s world of fast, cheap travel. I will complain if my wife's visa application to Australia is delayed, but I will accept it if there is a valid reason. I would be very upset if I was able to expedite approval by bribing an official, as happens in some countries. Immigration and quarantine laws have to be enforced equally and fairly for the protection of all world citizens.
Newsletter Reader

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