How does a Chinese Citizen apply for a passport?

[Narokela]

My girlfriend is currently living and studying in the Hubei Province but her parents and her home is back in Guangzhou, she is in Senior High School and living there.

 

She wants to come and stay in the UK with me under the 6 month UK General Visitor Visa, however she doesn't have a passport yet. How can she apply for one, I can sort the Visa myself.

 

Thanks in Advance!

[geraldc]

Putting my judgmental hat on, if she can't work out how to apply for a passport in her home country, she's not really mature enough to spend time overseas.

[Lu]

My advice would be for your girlfriend to try and figure this out, it's much more straightforward than you trying to do so from abroad. If I were her, I'd start with asking my parents, and if they don't know, Baidu is a good next place to look.

[roddy]

She can start by Googling. This is the general process, she'll need to put in a specific location for any actual addresses, etc. One issue might be where her household registration is - normally it would be with the family, but if she's at boarding school she may be registered on one there. 

 

We should have a sub-section of 'problems my Chinese girlfriend has which I've decided to solve, despite not knowing Chinese or anything about China'. There was that guy recently in Australia who was trying to find an exterminator in Chengdu as well. 

[Shelley]

Maybe they are trying to do it without the knowledge of parents or other people?

 

Not sure how easy it is to elope at long distance, you are going to need a really long ladder

[ChTTay]

My girlfriend had to go back to her hometown to apply for her passport.

[Silent]

 

There was that guy recently in Australia who was trying to find an exterminator in Chengdu as well.

For the exterminator I understand. if I want someone exterminated I try to be far away with a solid alibi too.

[abcdefg]

Even if she were able to get a passport, she would have a real hard time obtaining a visa. I realize you said you could sort it, but that seems doubtful.

 

Just out of curiosity, are you 62 and she is 17?

[Narokela]

I am actually a University Student in UK, aged 20... don't understand why some people need to act in such an attitude towards others. It is our life at the end of the day, if you don't like it then don't help... simple!

[Silent]

 

don't understand why some people need to act in such an attitude towards others.

I guess many of the remarks, just as this one, tells us more about the people making the remark then about the people who the remarks are about.

[Johnny20270]

as long as people are over 17 they have free will and should be able to live their life as they choose, whatever we think.

 

Narokela: Just a language issue but as you know if you're in the UK and mention "high school girl", alarm bells start ringing, security services take note and it could mean jail time because she may be a minor and thus people will understandable be reluctant to help you without knowing more info. 

 

On a separate note: As an after thought would it be a good idea to have a guideline that for cases where people are very young we clarify exactly how old people are before the thread continues? I have seen enough dirty old gits in Asian walking around with girls barely out of school so we should aim not to facilitate that. 

[Narokela]

Shes 18 and yes, she has chose herself that she wants to come over to the UK. I am 20 and a student in UK, I am British.

 

I have been to China myself to visit her, so she knows who I am and its not just a immature relationship. We are serious and want to get on with our lives, thank you for being honest and understanding.

 

Following up on this issue regarding the passport, she has now told me its okay and can find out how to get the passport and go back to her parents in concern to the houko. Does anyone know the guidelines on what you need to get the British Visa, I myself am British but it does look very complicated however I do know if I find the ins and outs then I can go and look into it further and do what is necessary. The visa I know she needs is a General Tourist Visa because we don't qualify for the Family visit Visa I believe as we are not married or haven't live alongside each other as married for the required time. She wants to stay with me for the longest she can under the short stay visa which I believe is 6 months.

[anonymoose]

The guidelines for Chinese nationals to apply for a British visa are not very clear. Basically, one has to provide any supporting documents or evidence that one thinks is likely to convince the visa officials that it is a bina fide application. When I say the guidelines are not very clear, it means that there isn't an official list of documents or requirements. However, there are many discussions on the internet, mostly in Chinese I guess, about what is common practice to provide. This means things like financial documents from the applicant, and if the girl will be staying with your family, then financial documents from your family also, to show that there are enough funds to cover the cost of her stay.

 

I have no idea about how the visa office would react to her application, but frankly, an 18-year old girl who hasn't even graduated from high school, who has no job or financial ties to China, might find it quite hard to get a visa, even if the purpose is legitimate.

[ChTTay]

She would have to go to a special application centre to apply for a visa. They are all over China. All she has to do it baidu it herself and she'll find it. British visa process for Chinese citizens is, of course, all in Chinese. I would just leave her to it. If she needs any supporting documents from you she can let you know.

[liuzhou]

 

She can start by Googling.

 

Pity that Google is blocked.

[Johnny20270]

Does she want to do an undergraduate degree in UK? Can she apply for university here? She can get started on setting up for a career at same time. Although it may be a massive culture shock being in a UK university as an foreign undergraduate and might affect her grades negatively. However, plenty of people come to UK for a year from Chinese Universities as an undergraduate student so that might be a route, although I am not sure what the appetite by the UK government has these days. 

 

In anycase I think its wise to get a passport as more than likely she will want to see life outside china at some point, right? Travel is always a great experience in my view

[Silent]

 

I have seen enough dirty old gits in Asian walking around with girls barely out of school so we should aim not to facilitate that. 

Assuming both do so out of free will I see no reason why 'we' should care. If dirty old gits and girls barely out of school like to walk around together I see no reason to object.

[Angelina]

...because girls barely out of school might not be mature enough to make major decisions.

[PBolchover]

I had no problems with my (then) girlfriend (now wife) applying for a UK visa.  However, we were living in China at the time, so it was easier to persuade the UK authorities that she wasn't going to overstay.  This will be more difficult for you - especially because your girlfriend is planning to stay for nearly the maximum time of 6 months.

 

Generally, you have to have enough evidence that

1) She doesn't need to be supported by the UK government during her stay (even if she falls sick)

2) She is going to return to China before the visa expires.

 

For the first point, I presume that she will be supported by you and your family.  You will therefore need bank statements, salary slips etc for the last 6 months, plus a letter from you (or your family) saying that you agree to support her.  Proof of medical insurance would be good.  (My wife told me that she had heard that she needed to "lock" a certain amount of money in her Chinese bank account, to ensure that it would be available during her stay - your girlfriend can no doubt learn about this on the internet.)

 

For the second point, the usual "proof" would be letters from her employer confirming that she will be returning to China, her name on the house rental etc.  I'm not sure what you are going to do here, but you definitely need to have something.  At the worst, just a letter signed by yourself honestly saying that she plans to return to China before 6 months.  Whatever you do, don't submit false information - that could get your girlfriend banned from the UK for 10+ years.  I would suggest that you also give some description of your plans for the next few years (e.g. your girlfriend will come to UK for nearly 6 months, and then return to China and go to university / get a job.  You then plan to apply for a job in China, with the aim of living with her there, before hopefully getting married in 2-3 years time.)

[Narokela]

Well I managed to find something on the Government website after a good look through, we are just trying to sort out one issue we have but it looks like my girlfriend is going to sort this herself; right now she is just worried that she will be refused and so am I.

 

I have been told that she needs:

 

1. A valid Chinese passport
2. One passport sized photo
3. Evidence from her school; a letter on headed paper confirming her enrollment and leave of absence.
4. Bank Statements - Showing what has been paid in and out of her account for the last 6 months
5. Details of accommodation - Where she is staying, supporting letter from myself, travel and dates she intends to enter and leave the country.
6. Completed Visa form
7. Itinerary - Including any planned trips and booking confirmation.
8. Supporting letter from myself - Letter of invitation and financial documents must be included as well as a copy of my bio-data pages from my passport.
9. Supporting letter from my family - Financial documents and bio-data pages from passport must be included.

A long list, but we should have everything covered, the only one left now should be the letter from the School; its going to be a challenge but she has a plan around it, its just about whether it will work or not.