Visa Application

Conference participants may need a Chinese visa to enter China. Specifically, those who are not Chinese citizens, except passport holders from Singapore, Brunei, and Japan, need a Chinese visa. Participants can apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in the region in which they live. For most attendees, it is easier to apply for a Tourist ("L") visa; an invitation letter is not required for obtaining a Tourist visa. If some participants need another type of visa that does require an invitation letter, the SIGKDD 2012 organization committee will be glad to help. If you need an invitation letter, please send e-mail to localarrangements@kdd2012.com, together with your registration, and in the case of being an author, your accepted paper ID.

To avoid uncertainty, participants will be advised to apply for a visa as early as possible. It is recommended that they apply for a Chinese visa at least 1 month in advance.

For more information regarding the requirements and procedure for obtaining a visa to China, please see http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/default.htm.

More detailed visa application procedure: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

While the Chinese visa application requires personal appearance and hand-in of passport in application, various travel agencies can help apply for the Chinese visa. Here are some such companies, but you are welcome to check out your local agencies:
-- http://www.mychinavisa.com/index.php
-- http://www.chinatravelservice.com/