This page includes information about the Chinese Visa process, arrival/departure in China as well as travel during breaks.
For additional information about living and traveling in China, please click:
TRAVEL AND FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS
Arrive in Shanghai on May 10. Orientation is May 11.
Depart from Beijing on August 4. Final exams end on August 3.
Most students wait until they are in China to sort out their transportation from Shanghai to Beijing. Like many IMBAs before you, you may decide to go to Beijing via Xi’an, Guilin or Hong Kong. Other students take the high speed train direct. The staff and local assistants in Shanghai will help you sort out your options and purchase tickets.
FAMILY, FRIENDS & OTHER VISITORS
Because of the intensive nature of the program and the demanding schedule, spouses/partners, children and/or friends are not allowed to join you in Beijing or Shanghai from May 11 to August 3.
Your family and friends are welcome to visit before the semester, after the semester or during the short 4-day break between Shanghai and Beijing.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
A Chinese Visa is required for every non-Chinese citizen. Obtaining a passport and visa is your responsibility, but the IMBA Office is here to support you. Most IMBAs will be applying or a China Student Visa. We’ll be in touch with each of you directly about the process because it may vary slightly person to person.
Here’s the estimated timeline:
FEBRUARY - Send your Declaration of Intent (DOI) and deposit to the Admissions Office. Be sure that you include a clear copy of your passport, any copies of current, valid US visas, the China Consulate near you where you’ll apply for the visa, information about your health insurance for the summer semester as well as your religion (FYI – “none” is a valid answer). The IMBA Office will follow up with you directly about your specific situation and to confirm your data.
MARCH - The IMBA Office will be sending you detailed instructions about applying for the Chinese student visa as well as supplemental documents from our partner institution in Shanghai. After you receive this information, you should start the China visa process. Let Amanda Miller or Jen Duclos know if you have any issues during this process.
APRIL – Send a copy of your China visa to Jen Duclos to confirm that everything is all set for the program start on May 10.
TRAVELING DURING BREAKS
CTrip
CTrip is a very popular website in China to book flights and hotels at good prices. It has an English version as well. You can also call 400-820-6666 (if you use a cell phone) or 800-820-6666 (if you use a land line) to make a reservation, which is more straightforward and simpler particularly when you have questions. The tickets can be delivered to the hotel for free.
Guilin Tianyuuan International Travel Service
A small group of 2012 IMBAs spent their break in Guilin, and they recommend this travel agency:
“They plan tours all over China and customize tours too — that’s what they did for us and it was superb!” – Nipuna ’12Gina Liu
www.visitourchina.com
Guilin Tianyuan International Travel Service Co., Ltd
Tel: 0086 773 5833156
Fax: 0086 773 5831392
Mobile Phone: 0086 18978336262/13737714874
Email:gina@visitourchina.com
Add: Room 5-10, Guilin International Conference and Exhibition Shopping Park Business Building , 26 Lijiang Road , Guilin , Guangxi541004, China
