For China, is there only a 10 year visa?

[Guest]

Hello. My mom is going to travel to Taiwan, then China, then walk across a bridge into Vietnam. I’m getting a little confused with the visas needed for China and Vietnam. She has a US passport.

For China, is there only a 10 year visa? Are there shorter ones (only going to be there a few days)?

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

[David]

If you live near DC, you can just apply at the embassies yourself and save a ton of money. China was ready the next day and Vietnam in a couple of days.

[Joanna]

In the past there was a short stay visa waiver for stays under 72 hours that met certain criteria. I don't know any details but you may want to look into it.

Also, check out: 90 days visa free in a 180 day period

[Tracey]

Though I’m not sure, I got a China visa in 2017 and it was only the ten year offered in pretty sure. also China is very picky and I had to have photos taken just for that visa and use a helper agency as the paperwork had to be presented to the embassy or conspire assigned to my state of residency.

Allow plenty of time and money. I tho k then cost was $400-$450 for visa. Helper agency in Seattle and photos.

Sube call the Chinese embassy in the US for guidance.

[Marta]

There is a transit visa for China, but it's less that 6 days and only eligible at certain ports and airports.

Don't forget to take a look at: I had a 30 day visa already?

[Daniel]

10 years has been the default Chinese tourist visa duration for a while, so while she could technically request a shorter duration visa on the application form, it's the same price and documentation required - since your mom's planning to leave overland, she'd need an actual visa and couldn't get by with with short term waivers, which require an inbound/outbound airline itinerary.

The Vietnamese visas are fairly straightforward, there's an online application for the evisa which is valid at land border crossings.