What is a visa?
     A visa proves to the immigration officers in the U.S. and at your destination that you have per-mission to enter the country you travel to. It also indicates the visa type (tourist, business, or stu-dent), and the length of time you are allowed to remain in the country. A single-entry tourist visa
for China allows a stay of up to 30 days.

Who sets the rules for visas?
   The country you wish to visit determines who needs a visa, how much it costs, how you get one, etc. Visa systems are generally reciprocal: if country A requires the citizens of country B to have a visa to enter, country B wilt usually then require one of traveler's from country A. Likewise, if country A raises their fees or changes entry requirements, country B will respond in kind. For this reason, visa equirements are changeable. The material you send with your application will be current, and you can find regulations at the web site of the U.S. embassy of the country you wish to visit.

Should I get my China visa before I travel?
  Yes. Each member of your travel party must have a visa before arriving in China. Immigration officials in the U.S. will not allow you to board your flight to China without one. If somehow you were able to board your flight without a visa, upon arrival in China you would be required to immediately return on the first available flight to the U.S. at your expense.

How do I get a visa?
  Getting a visa in the U.S. is not difficult. You fill out a one-page form and send your passport,passport photo, and fee to a document courier for handling. You can also deliver it yourself (but not mail it) to the appropriate Chinese government office in the U.S. (the Chinese embassyor a consulate), or have a friend or relative do it for you. The applicant need not deliver application materials in person.

When should I get visas?
  After you have received and accepted a referral, we will send you an application form with instructions in your assignment packet. Apply for the visa after completing the other material in the packet.

What if someone in my travel party has a passport from another country?
  Most travelers need a visa to enter China but specific requirements and processing times may
vary depending on a traveler's citizenship. Check the web site of the embassy for the People's Republic of China for visa information (search under 'Embassy PRC'). The site contains a list of countries whose citizens require pre-arranged visas. You can also contact a document courier service for advice (search the web under 'Document courier services').

Is my visa for China also valid for Hong Kong?
  No, Hong Kong and mainland China have different visas, but travelers with U.S. passports do
not need to pre-apply for a visa to Hung Kong. If you are transiting through Hong Kong on a flight to the mainland you will not get a visa. If you want to leave the airport to stay at the airport hotel or visit the city you will need one, but it will automatically be issued at the airport. If you visit Hong Kong after your adoption trip while returning to the U.S., your child can stay for a maximum of seven days if you show her ticket to the U.S.