Apologies if this has already been asked, but how strict are the embassies (specifically the Los Angeles embassy) about not submitting your L visa application any longer than 90 days before your trip? I haven't decided exactly when I want to go but I want to make it work this year, probably before the fall if I can find a tour I want and award flights that fits my schedule this year.

HKSAR has it https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/useful_i...tion/apis.html . It's just done at check in desk. If you're being rejected for online check-in to HKG/required to pick up your boarding pass at check-in desk for HKG, it's this.

Mainland also has it (APIS), wrt Home Return Permit holders entering by air from HKG. But not HRP holders arriving by air from overseas.

I applied for a different visa type but my understanding for visas that require proof of travel is they go by the date of the air ticket. So I would think you can just book a refundable air ticket within 90 days to get the visa.

I thought the chinese visa centres relaxed requirements for the L visa. You don't need to show lodging or air ticket when submitting the application anymore.

This is correct. I didn't get far enough in the application to see that they asked for a date so I will make something up that's close.

But is it not also the case that the visa is valid for entry 90 days from the date of issue? So gaming the application with a refundable flight that you then push further out beyond the 90 days won't work.

Why not just apply when you have some idea ? It's not like the visa takes that long to be approved. In normal circumstances, the turn-around in my experiences was 3-5 business days.

"But is it not also the case that the visa is valid for entry 90 days from the date of issue?"

Americans normally get ten-year multiple-entry visas: no requirement to enter within 90 days of issue.

That's good to know. Someone posted in one of my points and miles groups that San Francisco was taking almost a month. I'll be going to LA but still am nervous about the time.

The turn-around was once 3-5 business days but a new system was put in place last year and it now takes much longer. Further, it's a variable "much longer" so who knows how long it will take in any given case.

I got my visa from the DC embassy in Late February. It took less than a week for the appointment and less than a week before it was mailed back to me by the currier after they turned it in.

I just came back from submitting my application and passport at the Chinese consulate. I went to Turkey for 4 days in 2022 and so they are giving my passport extra scrutiny. My friend that is traveling with me was told to come back on Wednesday (3 business days). They told me to look for a change in my status on the application page "passport to be collected" but could not tell me how long it might be (or if at all). What if they keep my passport for months? Obviously I woulnd't be able to go on my trip but I would want my passport back. Reddit is not being very encouraging unfortunately.

Has anyone else been on a quick innocuous Turkey vacation and run into this?

Using reddit as a reliable source of information is even worse than Wikipedia.....

They will take extra time but if it is just a few days and not a ton of trips to Turkiye, it should not be something that drags on for months and months as you are fearing.

I know lol. I was thankful that I have all my past trips in Tripit so I was able to give the consulate the exact 4 days we were in Turkey right on the spot instead of having to go back. Just one trip to Turkey in 2022 and only for the 4 days.