coming to beijing for work, need air travel advise from US
- Joined: Dec 11th, 2009
- Posts: 32
First, I am not sure if this is the place to post my questions, so if this not the right place please let me know 
I recently got a job offer and will be coming to Beijing for a 3 month trial period. The last time I went there was fall of 2008 with tourist VISA, this time I applied for Business VISA (F) as instructed by the office. They are not paying for the fair so I have been shopping and reviewing the requirements.
I read the Passport, Health and Visa Requirements from Continental Airline, but was unfamiler with some of them:
1.
Quote:
- Travel on a one-way ticket is accepted. Visitors must hold
sufficient funds to cover their stay and all documents
required for their next destination.
Since I was not sure when I'll be returning (within 90 days per my VISA) I thought about getting one way ticket. but the above statement seemed to say it is not acceptable unless I have a destination to leave China? in other words, i must buy round trip and make adjustments/pay for my return trip if necessary?
2.
Quote:
- In connection with the outbreak of influenza A(H1N1), all
arriving passengers will be required to complete a Health
Declaration Form and submit it to Quarantine Officers, prior
to clearing immigration. Regulations and screening
procedures are dependant on the airport of arrival and are
subject to change at very short notice. Flights arriving
from countries which have reported confirmed human cases of
influenza A(H1N1) infection will be subject to onboard
temperature screening, prior to disembarkation.
Health and Quarantine officers may pay particular attention
to:
- passengers arriving from (or having recently visited)
countries which are reporting high numbers of human cases of
influenza A(H1N1) infection; or
- those suffering from flu-like symptoms or fever.
Upon completion of individual assessments, passengers will
be allowed to continue through immigration or may be placed
in quarantine, should the quarantine officer consider it
necessary. No vaccinations are required to enter China (People's Rep.)
Sorry its kinda long... Since US is one of the country that had H1N1 do I need to bring any documents to prove that I don't have H1N1? meaning I need to go see a doctor and get a statement before I board the plane? And no, I didn't travel to any country in the past 1-2 years. It sound like it is not required, but I like to hear from people traveled to China from the US in the past 6 months.
Anyone can shed some light and other things to watch out for will be greatly appreciated.
niro
Re: coming to beijing for work, need air travel advise from ...
p.s. happy chinese new year!
bigsisjiejie
Re: coming to beijing for work, need air travel advise from ...
Ignore the H1N1 thing. That was a temporary Chinese regulation and went away last year.
As to the one-way flight, it won't be a problem for Chinese immigration, but you probably won't be allowed to board the plane in the USA without a return or an onward ticket out of China. Especially if flying a US carrier. Remember that one-way flights are going to be pretty expensive, often nearly as much as a round trip.
Three options here:
1) Buy a round trip ticket with no restrictions on changes, this will be expensive.
2) Buy a round trip ticket with restrictions that allow you a date change, for a penalty. Sometimes the penalty charge is not that bad, if you can get a good overall fare to start with. Probably best choice if you know you will need to return to USA after your stint in China.
3) Buy a one-way ticket to China--this is not likely to be cheap, maybe almost as much as a round trip. Then, buy a second one-way cheapie "throwaway" ticket from China to another Asian country. Lots of people use low cost carrier Air Asia for this--they are online so you can check for yourself. You'd need to pick a date within the limits of your visa stay duration. And be prepared to show it to the check-in agent when you start your journey in the USA. Do not expect to get money refunded from the throwaway ticket.
Your choice.