Originally Posted by
darabo
I tried to put a tracking number on my envelope but the person at the post office said that it was not possible and that it would be a "waste of money" since the staff at the Chinese Embassy-Consulate would just drop the envelope to the nearest drop box.
Well, for starters, Express Mail can always be tracked by the number on the label, and the same goes for Fedex et al. You can also purchase tracking for Priority Mail as an add-on. I guess the moral to the story here is not to count on the USPS for travel related advice. ETA: It should go without saying that you should write down the number on the airway bill if you fancy taking advantage of the tracking feature.
Also how long did it take for the passport to be mailed back to you?
The consulate drops it in the mail (or gives it to the Fed Ex guy) by the day they promise, sometimes a day or two earlier. From that point on, much depends on what service you paid for (e.g. early morning FedEx and you'll have it the next day by 10a).
What are the odds of me getting a one year multiple-entry "L" (tourist) visa?
See post 2.