I think they all allow third parties to drop off and pick up applications.

I don't get why these agents even exist, if anyone can drop off and pick it up they should just accept mail applications

Thanks for the HK option, the fees are reasonable, might do that https://www.visaforchina.cn/HKG2_EN/...01APR2020_.pdf

Still waiting for a L visa in any case so going to go back into hibernation

Iirc, that old anthrax by mail scare was a factor in curbing mail service. The agents exist because even if you have friends that live close to a consulate, asking them to go there and maybe wait around for an hour is a biggish favor.

I think it's tit-for-tat because US visas require an in-person visit.

Don't many US visas require applicants themselves to present themselves?

Which ones?
I've never been myself, and only ever used agents.

It appears that ALL US visa applicants in China require interviews unless they petition for interview waivers:
https://www.ustraveldocs.com/cn/

I don't think this is specific to China. I am Australian but still need to apply for US visas because of my travel history. An interview is always required.

I was only replying to Loren's suggestion that reciprocity was the reason Chinese consulates in the US don't allow applications by mail.

Unless the rules have changed, the US normally permits visa renewals from Chinese citizens without an interview.

Might be a stupid remark considering all the experts in this thread, and apologies if this has been mentioned before, but I just called the local embassy (Rabat, in Morocco, where I live) and they mentioned no issue to get a business visa (I quote, "China is open for business") though it has to be for the moment a single entry, and entry has to be within 3 months after visa issuance. Not sure if that's news or not :confused: ?

Known. The problem is L Tourist visas.

Update: passport received with new visa on 1/28

Total turn around: 2 weeks 1 day

And you've had CNY in the middle of your application process, I am sure there has been some observance of the middle kingdoms public holidays in the past couple of weeks.

My wife will visit a exhibition in china for her employer and be with her relatives a couple of days. What's the best visa for her to apply for, Q2 or M? Her brother just applied for a multiply entry M visa, but he only got a single entry M visa exactly for the period of days he applied for. As she want to spend a couple of days with her relatives before she visit the exhibition, could it be a problem with a M visa if she only get it for the days she had business acitivies in china? Are there any known issues to visit a exhibition with a Q2 visa?

It's her first visit to china with a foreign passport (except some 144 hours visa free visits). They ask for her former chinese ID and passport in the application form. She handed her passport over to the foreign public authority when she got her new german citizenship about 7 years ago. They told her they will forward it to the chinese embassy. Her chinese ID is still at her parents house, but it's (hopefully) not used for anything since she left china. Will she need her old chinese ID and original passport to apply for the visa?