Last August, I got an invite to participate in the Third Edition of the Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (XSRITE) held in Xi'An, China. This means I have to secure a tourist/business visa to China.

Having done so. I'll share with you the steps I took in successfully getting a visa to China.

For first time applicants, below are the requirements you need to secure.

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.

2) Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

3) Photo – Affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. Glue the photo to the appropriate field. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

4) Travel itinerary and reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel, or invitation letters from China.

5) Proof of Finances and Employment (any one below)
    Bank Certificate - at least Php 100,000 deposit balance including the past 6 months history of your
                                 bank account and the receipt for payment of this certificate
    BIR-stamped income tax return form
    Certificate of Employment - detailing your salary and the length of your employment
    Business Registration Certificate - for business owners

What to do next?

After completing all necessary documents, it is now time to go to the embassy which is located at the 2nd Floor, World Center Building, 330 Buendia Avenue (Gil Puyat), Makati City. 
Application time is only between 9AM-11AM Mondays to Fridays

When you arrive, get a number stub from the staff by the door. They will check all your documents and verify if there are requirements lacking. After that, wait for your number to be called at Counter 3 or 4.

When your number is called, submit your documents to the window assigned. The officer, then, will give you a RELEASE SLIP  indicating the date on when you should claim your Chinese visa. In my case, it's after 4 business days.

Visa Releasing

When you get there, get a number stub from the staff by the door again. Wait for your number to be called and pay the visa fees. Claim your passport, stamped with visa, and off you go home. It's that easy.

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

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

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

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

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted.

Visa Processing thru Travel Agency
PHP 2,600/pax 
PHP 2,000/pax if availing tour package

For Inquiry:
Wanderstruck Travel & Tours 
Office Address: Unit 2 #18 21st. Ave. Cubao Quezon City Philippines 1109 
Telefax (63.2) 4220785 / 9752331 / 9111735
Mobile 0917 854 3779  / 0923 533 2899 
Email: reservations@wander-struck.com
Website: www.wander-struck.com

I am back after a 2 year long hiatus. So here I am, trying to educate my readers some of my secret on how to travel smartly.

Some would think I'm such a big spender because I travel most of the time. But I am totally not!

Travel tip #1
When applying for a credit card, make sure that they have this special benefit - Complimentary Lounge Access. This saves you a lot of money from spending on food and coffee! Security Bank Diners gives you access to international lounges too. RCBC, Citibank, BDO, Unionbank for lounges here in NAIA. Cool diba?

Travel tip #2
If you have the passion, start your own travel business. My recent trip to Xi'An, China is almost all expense paid. Don't ask me how. Enroll in a start up seminar. TRC gives such seminars on how to put your own travel business.

Travel tip #3
Charge your airline tickets, hotel accommodation, tour tickets abroad in a credit card where it gives free travel insurance. RCBC and BPI have this benefit. This saves you a lot!

Travel tip #4
Convert all your credit card reward points to miles. I had mine converted to Mabuhay Miles for a free trip to Batanes. That saves me - what - 12 thousand pesos for a roundtrip fare!!

Travel tip #5
Get a local sim in your country destination. This saves you from the horror of paying terrible roaming fees. In Dubai, I only got it for USD 20 which gave me 1GB of data and free minutes of local calls too for 5 days. Do the math and learn how much you can save if you do this.

That's all for now.