NOW they wont accept my passport >.<

[Mcnubn]

Hello

Last year my passport got a bit wet during a heavy downpour in Hangzhou, and although it looks a little worse for ware (the front cover is faded), there is no real damage inside; all the pages are still intact, the visa's and stamps are still there and the photo page is perfectly fine. I was aware that the passport doesn't look great and I had intend to get it renewed when I was at home, but really didn't have enough time for it to be processed and since the passport is still valid for 4 years, I thought it'd be ok.

So since the passport got wet, I have checked into numerous hotels/hostels, registered with local police twice, flew from China->Russia-> UK, then UK->Turkey->China with no problems. I even got my tourist visa from the Chinese embassy in London with zero complaints (I actually applied for it much earlier than I usually would just in case there was a problem).

I have now started studying at a university in Beijing and everything was going great, still no complaints about the passport...until I tried to apply for a student visa. My university sent off my documents yesterday and told me it would take 10working days, which was a relief since my tourist visa only had 17days remaining (16 now). However they have called me today to say that my passport cannot be accepted due to the superficial damage and that they need to see me tomorrow morning.

Now I realise that I should wait and see what they have to say, but for fairly obvious reasons I am now pretty worried, especially as it takes 4 weeks to get a new UK passport.

Has anyone had a similar issue before? Or have any advice for me? I have contacted the British embassy in Beijing but I don't expect a reply until tomorrow, and judging by their website there's not that much they can do for me other than to ask me to wait 4 weeks in Hong Kong or return home (both of which are expenses that I cannot afford, as my budget for the year is pretty tight).

[roddy]

Is this the PSB or the university you're going to see? Either way, just keep repeating that it's been good enough for the Chinese Embassy in London and for immigration. If it's the university and you're not getting anywhere, ask them to hand over all your documents and say you'll go to the PSB yourself - there's no reason you can't do that, just make sure you have everything you need. Don't get worked up, just keep being firm and polite and act as if you fully expect this to be resolved very easily in the next fifteen minutes, and that you are mildly surprised but understanding of the unnecessary fuss. If necessary, be a little dense.

Wouldn't be surprised if the British consulate is willing to make a quick phone call to the PSB to say that as far as they're concerned this is a valid passport, could you please accept it. 'Course, I haven't actually seen the thing.

Also, if you can't get anywhere, you don't need to wait for 4 weeks in Hong Kong. You should be able to hold on to your current passport, send them a clear copy, and wait for a new one to be sent to you. Obviously it's still a hassle and will complicate things with the residence permit, but it's still better than spending a month in a Hong Kong hostel. You even get to keep your current passport while you're doing it - see here, specific requirements from China.

(edit, oh, you mean spend four weeks there as your visa's running out. Hmmm. Hopefully that's avoidable)

[abcdefg]

I have contacted the British embassy in Beijing but I don't expect a reply until tomorrow, and judging by their website there's not that much they can do for me other than to ask me to wait 4 weeks in Hong Kong or return home...

Another thought: When the British embassy calls you back tomorrow, ask it they could take a look at your passport and let you know what they think about its useability. If they think it's OK, it might be a plus when discussing the situation with your university and/or the PSB. You will of course need to play the card right and be diplomatic, since what they think doesn't really carry too much weight when dealing with the Chinese authorities.

[Mcnubn]

I believe its PSB but I'll have all the details tomorrow. Thanks for the advice, its much appreciated and I will update the thread with whatever happens might help someone later

[bad_dream_house]

If it turns out you need a new passport you could try to speak to the Consulate in Hong Kong. I once had a similar situation where I was refused entry to Macao because my passport was damaged but after getting into Hong Kong I went to the consulate and they were able to issue me a new passport within 48 hours - they can rush it if you have onward travel booked etc. Mind you this was before biometric passports so maybe they couldn't do it so quick now. Also took a LOT of sweet talking but if things don't go well with the PSB you could look into it.

[Mcnubn]

Ok so it seems I had very little to worry about -.- When my uni called me, they told me the PSB won't accept it, but that was actually the advice given to them by the agent >.< The agent didn't want to risk it, so he asked me to do it myself... went there on friday and had no problem at all, in fact the lady behind the desk was very nice and we even had a lovely chat about her son who is studying at my uni

However during my state of panic I did get some info from the british consulate. They said if I needed to get a new passport, just apply and go tell the PSB that I'm waiting for it, apparently they are normally OK with it. If theres any issues, just contact the consulate.

[roddy]

Thanks for the follow-up!

[abcdefg]

Good to know. Thanks.

[mernissi82]

hello guys

I have a similar problem . now I live in taiwan , i wanna move to china to study in one week , since taiwan does not have official diplomatic relationship with china , i need to go through an agent in taiwan who can apply for china visa for me in hong kong (so i don t need to go by myself for a china visa in hong kong ), so once i get the visa i so i can fly direct from taiwan to china . 2 years ago i left my passport on a microwave , and it got damaged a bit , but not seriously , just the last two pages of my passport , a part of these pages became darker , but i travelled with it to african , many asian countries , hong kong , never had a problem . the visa's and stamps are still there and the photo page is perfectly also fine.but the agent in taiwan told me that chinese consulate in hong kong will refuse it because it is damaged , I am not sure maybe the agent also do not want to take a risk .

now i have no choice only to go to hong kong and apply by myself , i am afraid they will tell me i need to change my passport , new canadian passport will take me 15 days , i don t wanna get stuck in hk , what do you guys think? thanks for ur comments

Jim

[abcdefg]

Is there another visa agent in Taiwan whom you could ask?

[skylee]

Is it true that you can fly direct from Taiwan to Mainland China?

[gato]

Yes. Direct flights have been available for a while now.