Is an in-person visit to a consulate required for a China?
May 18, 2018, 2:04 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
I also agree with the TWOV option. Take the hit on revising the air itinerary and route the return trip to a 3rd country.
My visit to the Chinese visa application centre in Toronto could not have been more efficient - they saw me before my appointment time and had me out the door. BUT the appointment was several days away when I booked it, and I had to leave the passport with them until the pickup date AND they would NOT tell me ahead of time what visa they would give me. I wanted a 10-year open, of course, and they gave me a 6-month, 2- visit visa. (Gave my travel companion a 10-year open visa, unsolicited.)
My visit to the Chinese visa application centre in Toronto could not have been more efficient - they saw me before my appointment time and had me out the door. BUT the appointment was several days away when I booked it, and I had to leave the passport with them until the pickup date AND they would NOT tell me ahead of time what visa they would give me. I wanted a 10-year open, of course, and they gave me a 6-month, 2- visit visa. (Gave my travel companion a 10-year open visa, unsolicited.)
May 18, 2018, 2:05 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Hi all:
Apologies for leaving out vital information. I'll rapid-fire this so as to not write a novel:
The trip was booked under a month ago, and I'm set to be there for 4 nights; never leaving Beijing.
I've never heard of TWOV, as I've never needed a visa for any other destination before (I didn't realize how much Taiwan spoiled me, traveling there). Ditto for 144-hours; I'll read into it.
I thought there was a holiday on Monday, but Google gave me nothing last night. I thought I was home free on that front.
The company sending me is planning to handle all visa-related fees, but it feels like not even all the money in the world would get this done as quick as I need it to be. TWOV or "144-hours" sounds like my only option. Does it make a difference if the company sending me has offices there? San Diego-based, but has a Beijing office.
I appreciate the excellent advice you guys have provided here. It's amazing... I sometimes feel like I've finally got this travel thing nailed down, but then something major pops up and proves to me, "You know NOTHING!".
Apologies for leaving out vital information. I'll rapid-fire this so as to not write a novel:
The trip was booked under a month ago, and I'm set to be there for 4 nights; never leaving Beijing.
I've never heard of TWOV, as I've never needed a visa for any other destination before (I didn't realize how much Taiwan spoiled me, traveling there). Ditto for 144-hours; I'll read into it.
I thought there was a holiday on Monday, but Google gave me nothing last night. I thought I was home free on that front.
The company sending me is planning to handle all visa-related fees, but it feels like not even all the money in the world would get this done as quick as I need it to be. TWOV or "144-hours" sounds like my only option. Does it make a difference if the company sending me has offices there? San Diego-based, but has a Beijing office.
I appreciate the excellent advice you guys have provided here. It's amazing... I sometimes feel like I've finally got this travel thing nailed down, but then something major pops up and proves to me, "You know NOTHING!".
May 18, 2018, 4:34 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
In person visit is not required and there are agencies that can get the visa for you, but you're really pushing it since the 22nd is next Tuesday. I got my first Chinese visa through an agency that sent my passport to the local consulate, however, I had a month to get it. You on the other hand have only Friday and Monday to get your visa. I wouldn't trust an agency to get that quick a turnaround time, and I'd personally just go in person and get the rush service. The SF consulate can do it in 1 day (which I think means same day if you go early enough in the morning) for an additional fee.