China visa question

My (US) passport will expire at the end of August and I need to go to China in the middle of this month. I know the general rule is that you can't get a visa if your passport has less than 6 months' validity, but was wondering how strictly this is being enforced at the moment. As I am travelling I am unable to renew my passport before my scheduled trip to China. I would only be applying for a 30 day single entry. Anyone have any recent experience with this?

My answer is I really don't know if they will stand firm on 6 months - but they probably will. Let me explain.


I recently went to get a Visa and because I hadn't booked by return flights and accommodation they sent me away. I tried to explain that I wanted to be sure that I could get a Visa before I spent my money on flights etc. Why would you buy a flight and accommodation on the chance that you will not get a Visa?


This reasoning was not accepted and so I went home and made the necassary arrangements, went back the next day with copies of e-tickets and got my Visa.


I saw a school teacher turned away as she also did not have return flights. She tried to explain that she had no fixed dates as yet but wanted to have the Visa in place so she could travel at a moments notice. This also was not accpeted. Sure we could get a multiple entry visa but this was not plan this time.


So, if they stand firm on seeing a return flight and prebooked accommodation, I am sure they will stand firm on the 6 months valadilty.

Thanks for the reply Bob. My family and I regularly apply for China visas and we've found that the return ticket / accommodation requirement is sometimes enforced, sometimes not, but seems they're getting stricter all round.