<p>For cadets that are going to be assigned to ships calling in the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) you will need a PRC visa in order to go ashore. </p>
<p>You can get a visa at the PRC consulate in NY. The visa form is available for down load here: <a href="http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/lsqz/wjxz/default.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/lsqz/wjxz/default.htm</a>
Their address and phone number is on the website.
If you are a first sea year cadet I recommend getting a two year multiple entry visa. That way if you go back to the PRC during the second sea year youre covered. As I recall the cost for the two year visa is $90. Cost is less for shorter periods.
In addition to the request form you will need 2 passport size photos. Allow 4 to 5 days for the consulate to process the paperwork and issue the visa.
If you have time before joining a west coast ship, you can get the visa at the LA or San Francisco Chinese consulates.</p>
<p>I just got my visa last Nov in San Fran. You need a letter from the company your sailing with b/c your going into the country in a merchant ship. The companies know this, so all you need to do is talk to the Captain and he will get one for you. It cost me $130, and it is a two year visa. That is the only one they we let us get b/c we were seaman. Also, before you leave the ship get a letter from the Captain saying that you got a visa and what the cost was and everything, because if you get the letter, you will be remburised from the gov.</p>
<p>my husband travels to China all the time on business,,,,he was not aware you could get a 2 year visa. Is this something special for Ship personnel?</p>
<p>I guess so, it was the only one they would let us get. I know everyone on the ship had a two year visa, so I assume it has something to do with shipping but I am not really sure.</p>
<p>Wish I had realized this back when I was on the President Truman, would have been nice to get off for a little bit and see the area when we called on China.</p>
<p>more PRC visa info here: <a href="http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/qianzhen/zgqz/t48481.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/qianzhen/zgqz/t48481.htm</a>
I had a cadet back a few years ago that came aboard my ship with a "tourist visa" he had gotten in NY right before he joined.. It worked for him and he was able to get ashore. I'm checking with my company to see if crewmembers can still use a category L "tourist visa" in lieu of the category C crew visa. The drawback to the "tourist visa" is it doesn't permit more than 1 possibly 2 entries and must be used within 90 days of issuance.</p>
<p>I do have a form letter I give out to the any crewmember that wants to go get a visa. Hopefully a cadet that waits until joining to get the multiple entry 2 year visa will have the time to, get the Q1 form and fill it out, get the company letter, get time off to go up to the PRC consulate, get passport photos taken and wait the 2-3 days to get the visa/passport back. If you are assigned to my ship you probably won't be able to do it in time (unless you pay the $30 rush service fee) as we're only in Long Beach for 3 days.
Personally, if I was a cadet, I wouldn't bother the captain with a request for a letter saying that you paid for a PRC visa.. The consulate will give you a receipt and that should be good enough for government reimbursement.</p>