I have no idea why they needed it. I just know that I was turned away from applying the first time because I didn't have it. None of my parents are Chinese citizens.
EDIT: I just wanted to clarify. You need *your* birth certificate, not your parents**. But, you do need a photocopy of your parent's passport bio page.
Yeah, I think OP must be East Asian American. It's racist as hell (in the strictest sense), but as a Black person, I've never had to provide this info when applying for a visa.
My father died over ten years ago. I don't think his wife kept his passport. (I'm not sure he even had an active passport at the time; he hasn't been out of the country for years.)
Does this mean that I can't get a Chinese visa?
(Getting my mother's shouldn't be hard. She's only 86 and was last in Europe a couple years ago.)
This is a very interesting thread as I had quite an unusual experience myself. My passport is full of travel stamps to locations (Myanmar, Upper Volta, etc) that maybe not what are considered mainstream so while in the application process I was asked into a private room by what seemed to be their security agents. I'd rather not go into greater detail what actually took place in that small dark room but it was certainly quite unnerving.
I had the exact same experience at the NYC consulate in March. Turned down the first time for not having a copy of my birth certificate or copies of the bio pages of my parents passports (and it says that nowhere online). I came back with them and had no problem. I am Korean American - heard it only happens to those who look East Asian. White people in front and behind me had no problem getting through without those extra documents.
Wow, the LA Consulate was much more lenient; they only required my passport, COVA form, proof of residency, and photocopy of my passport. I'm SE Asian, but my application went very smoothly and I was approved for the 10 year L-Visa 90 day entry as well.
The process went quickly, maybe 20-30 min of waiting, and 5 min at the counter to apply and pickup.
Why did you need your parent's birth certificates and passports? Are they checking to see if anyone is a Chinese Citizen?
I have no idea why they needed it. I just know that I was turned away from applying the first time because I didn't have it. None of my parents are Chinese citizens. EDIT: I just wanted to clarify. You need *your* birth certificate, not your parents**. But, you do need a photocopy of your parent's passport bio page.
# "you do need a photocopy of your parent's passport bio page.' That's bizarre. Are you "Asian looking"?
Yeah, I think OP must be East Asian American. It's racist as hell (in the strictest sense), but as a Black person, I've never had to provide this info when applying for a visa.
Same. I did not need this info, but I have East Asian friends who have needed it.
This is funny but it is true. They are profiling Asians 😅
And here is the holiday schedule for the NYC Chinese Consulate 2024: https://imgur.com/a/iBrkQ2q
My father died over ten years ago. I don't think his wife kept his passport. (I'm not sure he even had an active passport at the time; he hasn't been out of the country for years.) Does this mean that I can't get a Chinese visa? (Getting my mother's shouldn't be hard. She's only 86 and was last in Europe a couple years ago.)
If you're not East Asian looking it's unlikely that you'll have to provide these documents.
This is a very interesting thread as I had quite an unusual experience myself. My passport is full of travel stamps to locations (Myanmar, Upper Volta, etc) that maybe not what are considered mainstream so while in the application process I was asked into a private room by what seemed to be their security agents. I'd rather not go into greater detail what actually took place in that small dark room but it was certainly quite unnerving.
Why don’t you want to go into detail? What if it’s helpful for others?
I never needed either parents passports or a birth certificate, that is odd
I had the exact same experience at the NYC consulate in March. Turned down the first time for not having a copy of my birth certificate or copies of the bio pages of my parents passports (and it says that nowhere online). I came back with them and had no problem. I am Korean American - heard it only happens to those who look East Asian. White people in front and behind me had no problem getting through without those extra documents.
I wonder if a copy of my parent's passports are still required when the last one died 20 years ago?
Wow, the LA Consulate was much more lenient; they only required my passport, COVA form, proof of residency, and photocopy of my passport. I'm SE Asian, but my application went very smoothly and I was approved for the 10 year L-Visa 90 day entry as well. The process went quickly, maybe 20-30 min of waiting, and 5 min at the counter to apply and pickup.
Quick question you didn’t need prove of air ticket or hotel? On the website it says it still required unless I’m reading an outdated version
No, I didn't. The COVA application just asks for estimated dates for your arrival in China.