JC98

Hi,

I'm getting a 1 year multiple-entry business visa from my company for a conference in China. And I'm planning to travel on my own for 1 week in China before the conference. Do I need a separate tourist visa, or I should be ok w/ that business visa?

It's not clear on the Chinese visa website.

Thanks for your help!

Cicerone

You are fine with a business visa. They won't check what you are actually doing on a business visa. The reverse is what you would need to worry about: signing deals or promoting your business on a tourist visa.

JC98

Thanks, Cicerone! I remember you helped me quite a bit with my India trip several years back.

I will be traveling on my own for 1 week before my conference, so for customs I still put down the purpose of my trip is business and don't say anything about vacation?

Hope I won't be detained in some Chinese jail. But it would seem exploitative if they actually make you get 2 separate visas.

Thanks!

Cicerone

I would put business down as purpose of the trip. That way you are covered if you inadvertantly do some business during the week you are taking a vacation. But seriously, no one will be following you around checking up on where you go and what you do. For the most part, they are not concerned with foreigners unless they are journalists or missionaries.

JC98

Thanks, Cicerone!

someotherguy

This may not be relevant to you, but you cannot go to Tibet on a business visa
http://www.tibettravel.info/tibet-travel-permit/

And I don't know if it is still so, but some time ago I remember reading that you could not get a permit for Tibet if your passport contained a business visa, even if you were currently traveling on a tourist visa.

redtravel

Tibet is restricted in the sense that you need to check restrictions when you want to travel but you if it's open: It's open. your visa is fine, just check with the embassy 4 weeks before leaving.