how to cover booked air tickets and hotel bookings if visa is rejected !

sensibly_insane

Hi everybody,

I hope I am posting on the right forum. I have to visit China in October and will be applying for Chinese visa soon. I have heard that rejection of the visa is not very un-common . I do have to book air tickets now otherwise they would get very expensive if I wait for getting the visa first.

I want to ask is their any option (for example, travel insurance) which can cover my expenses in case my visa is rejected.

Waiting for your reply,
Best Regards,

SI

Incapuppy

I can't offer any help I'm afraid but out of interest what makes you think your visa application would be rejected or is it just very difficult to get one?

sensibly_insane

Well, I am told that Chinese government is generally suspicious about the intentions of people coming from the UK. My colleague had to attend a conference in China and her visa was rejected plainly without giving any reason, thats what i was told at least.

dzug1

I think it's a risk you have to take, or pay the higher fare. I'm not aware of any travel insurance that covers this sort of thing.

Pollycat

Have you tried asking this question on TripAdvisor?

There is a very active forum specifically on China, you may get a more definite answer from there.

sensibly_insane

thanks very much guys for your kind replies. I will definitely put this question on TA as well. Thanks for point that out ,

Best Regards,
SI

Voyager2002

I have never heard of any kind of insurance that would cover you against your visa application being declined.

Under normal circumstances applying for a visa for China is a formality to UK citizens. During the run-up to the Olympics everything was tightened up, but it is likely that the situation will now revert to normal. Anyway, there is a detailed discussion of this topic on the Northeast Asia branch of thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

Trust_2

If you have the dates of travel why don't you apply for the visa immediately

I have never had an issue with chinese visa's buisness or tourist, yes coming up to the Olympics everything was tightened up

Buisness is always checked more than tourist, they check through the invitation letters

Pollycat

Hi sinsibly_insane
I just wondered if you've applied for your visa yet?

We sent our visas off to the travel company who we've booked our holiday with on 8th August (by Special Delivery) and they received them on 11th (Monday).

We've received our passports back complete with visas yesterday so they've taken 3 weeks.
I think a representative from the Tour company makes an appointment at the embassy and goes in person with the documents.

I think non-tourist visas are subject to more scrutiny.