Dear Participant,
AFS CHN is very excited to begin a new hosting cycle and we hope you are also looking forward to start this amazing experience with us!
AFS CHN would like to share with you some information on domestic arrangements once you arrive in CHINA.
1. Visa
visa type
All the YP students will enter China by X Visa with 3 months validity. After pax get to their host city our local vols will take students to apply for the residence permit during the first month upon their arrival.
documents to bring to China
(1) JW202 form and any other visa docs returned by the Consulates;
(2) 6 recently-taken 2-inches half-length, bareheaded, full-face colored photos
(3) Photocopy of the Birth Certificate;
(4) Photocopy of the natural parents’ passport (ID card with English translation if the nats do not have the passport);
(5) Up to 1000 RMB cash for the application fee (The exact amount might vary from region to region)
(6) Normally students will be required to take a body check at the local hospital nominated by the local authority. But we suggest students take a recent body check report from home if they have. It could be convenient for them if it could work.
2. Arrival
(1) Arrival flight information
Currently we are gathering the pax’s arrival flight information, please make sure the flight information uploaded on GL is correct.
(2) Picking up
Upon the arrival of our participants, they will be greeted by AFS staffs and volunteers at the exit, holding blue & white AFS flag / board. Please inform the students always remember our emergency number: 86-13501271982, and if they do not see an AFS staff member at the picking-up area, please call us.
(3) Orientation Camp
The orientation will last 3 days, taking place at a hotel near the airport called Aulympic Airportel, with the website ofhttp://www.azgyjd.com/index.php?Locale=en-us
It would be good if students exchange some money before departure, or at least do the exchange at the airport.
There is WIFI in the hotel lobby, with which students could contact their nats. However, for those who do not plan to bring laptop or cell phone to China, it might happen that they cannot contact with nats quite conveniently upon arrival. In this situation, please remind your nats again that No News Is Good News. Once any urgent accident happens here, we will contact Sending Partners by our Emergency phone immediately. So it is highly appreciated if you could ensure the availability of your emergency number.
(4) Clothes upon arrival
Early March is still winter in China. The temperature could be between 0 to 10 degree centigrade in Beijing. And in the host city Jiamusi, the temperature could be as low as -20 degree centigrade at night.
In this way, please do remind your pax to bring coat and thick clothes here.
At the same time, consider there will be some outdoor activities during the Arrival Orientation Camp, we strongly suggest all participants dress in their sportswear and sport shoes.
(5) Leaving for different regions
After the orientation, all pax will go to their host city Jiamusi by train on March 8th. Two school teachers from that region will keep them company during the journey.
3. Contact with hostfam
Every year there are some pax feel nervous for no reply from the hostfam via email. Sorry for the inconvenience. But we would like to tell the truth that Chinese adults, especially the generation of most hostparents, do not use Internet very much. They have the email address, but will not check it quite frequently. If the students come across with this situation, do not worry too much. You could either have a check of the optional email address on the application form, or just send letters to AFS CHN. We will try our best to help you with the contact.
4. No Program Release in China
AFS CHN DO NOT have Program Release. Here we sincerely ask all Sending Partners to make sure that your students and nats understand this point. All students must return to Thailand when the program ends.
Welcome to China. See you soon.