Visas

Friday was the last day Grace must extend her visa to be legally staying in China. The application process started a day before with a visit to the bureau that administers visas for foreigners. A key takeaway was the need for a bank statement. Next morning, after a phone call to verify application documentary needs, the bank statement is actually a certificate proving deposit of no less than USD3,000, per person. A mad morning rush ensued to withdraw lots of cash from one account to open two new accounts (no joint account allowed here). The deposit account to be certified would be frozen, until another personal trip to the bank to 'unfreeze' it, so dont certify any account you need to withdraw money from. The account opening is easy, just time consuming. I had my first attempt of writing my address in Chinese at the bank. All went well except I wrote '区- district' the opposite way with the opening pointing left!

Under normal circumstances, a tourist visa can be extended for another month. It costs Y160, supported by a bank deposit proof of USD3,000, a 2inch passport size photo, proof of foreigner registration with local police. They provide pen and glue at the bureau, drinking water too.

Normally, by paying extra, one can get the application expedited to less than the normal 5 working days. Grace thought she could do just that, getting her passport back in time for her business trip to HKG next Wednesday. To her surprise, the duty officer refused to sign off on her express application despite all her explanation, even furnishing the hotel booking and return airtickets..... Took several calls to friends asking for help. Got through to someone who knows someone who knows the officer, but also to no avail. The reason being 'nobody will stick his/her neck out to approve anything express during the Paralympics'. Most times, people have problem getting visas to get in. In Grace's case, she couldnt get out!