Passports & Visas in Shanghai

All U.S. citizens, even infants, need a valid passport with a tourist visa stamped in it to enter China (except for Hong Kong, where you only need a valid passport). It's always best to have at least six months' validity on your passport before traveling to Asia.

Children traveling with only one parent do not need a notarized letter of permission to enter China. However, as these kinds of policies can change, being over-prepared isn't a bad idea.

Visas

Getting a tourist visa (known as an "L" visa) in the United States is straightforward. Standard visas are for single-entry stays of up to 30 days, and are valid for 90 days from the date of issue (not the date of entry), so don't get your visa too far in advance. Costs range from $50 for a tourist visa issued within two to three working days to $80 for a same-day service.

Note: The visa application will ask your occupation. The Chinese don't look favorably upon those who work in publishing or the media. People in these professions routinely state "teacher" under "occupation." Before you go, contact the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China to gauge the current mood.

China officially denies visas (and thus entry) to anyone suffering from infectious diseases, including leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, and contagious tuberculosis. You must complete information regarding these on applications and on entering the country. However, this information is almost never checked for tourist visas; medical tests are required for longer visas.

Under no circumstances should you overstay your visa. To extend your visa, stop by the Entry and Exit Administration Office of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau a week before your visa expires. The office is known as the PSB or the Foreigner's Police, and is open weekdays 9 to 11:30 and 1:30 to 4:30. It's extremely bureaucratic, but it's usually no problem to get a month's extension on a tourist visa. You need to bring your passport and a registration of temporary residency from your hotel. You generally need to leave your passport for 5 to 7 days, so do any transactions requiring it (and make copies!) beforehand. If you are trying to extend a business visa, you'll need the above items as well as a letter, from the business that originally invited you to China, stating it would like to extend your stay for work reasons. Rules are always changing (Visa to Asia has up-to-date information), so you will probably need to go to the office at least twice to get all your papers in order.

Passport & Visa Information

Chinese Consulate (New York:. 212/244-9456. www.nyconsulate.prchina.org). U.S. Department of State (877/487-2778. travel.state.gov/passport). Visa to Asia (www.visatoasia.com/china.html). Visa Office of Chinese Embassy, Washington (202/338-6688. www.china-embassy.org).

U.S. Passport & Visa Expediters

A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors (800/806-0581 or 202/464-3000. www.abriggs.com). American Passport Express (800/455-5166 or 603/559-9888. www.americanpassport.com). Passport Express (800/362-8196 or 401/272-4612. www.passportexpress.com). Travel Document Systems (800/874-5100 or 202/638-3800. www.traveldocs.com). Travel the World Visas (866/886-8472 or 301/495-7700. www.world-visa.com).

Visa Extensions

Entry and Exit Administration Office, Shanghai Public Security Bureau (333 Wusong Lu, Huangpu. 021/6357-7925. www.shanghai.gov.cn).