Here's a big beware for the Los Angeles Consulate: my friend and I are going to China for a vacation, and he went to the LA Consulate to drop off both of our applications for tourist visas. They asked him to see a copy of my driver's license (to "verify my address"), despite the fact that the website mentions no such requirement. Obviously he didn't have a copy of it, and they refused to accept my application...they would not budge, and I was forced to go back at a later date to drop off my application myself in person. Fortunately, I live close to the LA Consulate anyway, so no big deal, but I would have been really peeved if I had to drive 50 or 100 miles!

This may be a new thing for the LA Consulate. For much of the last 12 months, Houston Consulate has been requiring proof of address in their geographic district (driver's license, utility bill, etc.). Recently I've heard NY Consulate is now requiring this. And now apparently LA Consulate. It would not surprise me if all the rest of the US Consulates and the Embassy in Washington DC implement the proof-of-address requirement in the near future, or at least sometime in 2014. The official websites may not mention this since they are irregularly updated. Most of the major visa agents usually do keep their websites updated, but if in doubt, contact one that works with the Consulate of your choice/assignment, just before you make application. If you are applying in the district for which you have legitimate residence, there's probably no harm in sending along a photocopy of license or other proof in the application package anyway.

The mychinavisa.com people told me that if they apply for you, as long as you provide an address in the consulate's domain, they can get you a visa. This was about 6 months ago, but they seemed quite confident about this. In the end, I applied on my own though because they were not confident about their abilities to get me a multi-year visa. In fact they told me that going in person would maximize my odds of success.

That might be true for wherever you applied, but when I last applied through them using Houston Consulate (jurisdiction for the USA address I use), they very pointedly reminded me Houston requires proof-of-address (and it was also on the mychinavisa website at that time). No proof of residence in the jurisdiction = rejection of visa application in Houston, even if using an agent.

My experience and anecdotal evidence from others shows they normally play things straight and are honest with prospective clients about what they can and can't do at any given time, as evidenced by their response to you that your situation was better off dealt with directly rather than through them.

In the new visa application form from 2013 they ask me to state all countries visited during the last year. I have been to Taiwan (and changed passports since due to my passport being stolen in Malaysia) - how to state that on the application form? I have no idea if they even look at it, but it is wise to be honest regarding visa applications. Also Hong Kong goes as an own country for these purposes I guess. Applying at the Chinese Embassy in Oslo by the way, last time I did that was in may 2011, but the form and such has changed since then. Also I hope they do manage a week processing time like last time I did it, because this trip was solely due to SAS having some awesome fares to their destinations in the far east and the US.

I can't imagine they would honestly care what you write in this section, but writing "China" instead of "Taiwan" certainly wouldn't be grounds for refusal (i.e. let them tell you it's a different country, if they feel so inclined).

I have written Hong Kong SAR and Republic of China (Taiwan) which both seem to keep everyone satisfied for this purpose anyway.

Yeah, I don't think this is a big deal in the slightest.

That question about places visited in the last year was on old versions of the form as well. You can be truthful and put down Taiwan, HK, Macau, as separate entities--the Chinese don't mind in this context and it won't prejudice your application. Best to be truthful on this one if you are using the same passport from the last year, as it's easy enough for them to spot check if they feel like thumbing through the passport for entry/exit stamps. I've always thought this was more of a proforma question, at least for those from developed countries. They might be more interested in contemplating your application if that list was something like "Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia."

I have an question: My mom for some reason overstayed her visa by 12 days. They only fined her for 2 days as apparently the official unofficial policy is 10 days grace period. In the past, all her visas were valid for 180 days per stay, but the new one was only valid for 60 days. Not sure why.

Anyways she needs a new visa. Has anyone had issues getting a new visa overstaying an old one? Of course we have to now offer an explanation for the overstay on the visa application.

Or should we not say she overstayed since she's now got a new passport (old one expired)?


Another question: Can anyone recommend a reputable visa agency in China that does work visas. This Chinese company wants to hire me, but has no experience whatsoever with hiring a foreign national. Or should I just go about doing this myself? I have all the proper documentation (including 2 years experience). The company says they will provide whatever documents I need.

I just renewed my visa at the NY Consulate. No such requirements.

But they were very keen on getting a copy of my round trip flight and hotel itineraries. I rent an apartment in Shanghai and usually book one-ways, so that was an issue. They wanted my land lord's ID card and the original lease agreement, so I ended up booking a hotel and refundable flight tickets.

Ah well I just got a visa for 5 (!) days, well that is okey since I am only staying 3 days. I thought Chinese visas had a default validity for 30 days. I had a visa valid for 15 days when I stayed 10 days in 2011 so it seems to be some sort of inconsistent policy here in Norway (probably the ever lasting Chinese sanctions since the Noble Peace Prize in 2010)... I know the Russians only gives you a visa valid for the duration of your invitation. But what if you are entering China via train and do not have a plane ticket? The embassy in Oslo seems to only accept that.

Then, you show them a plane ticket. It's a bit of a dog and pony show.

yeah - I learned that lesson the hard way :)

I thought (for my third chinese visa) I'd just ask for multi-entry 20 days rather than 30 (because 30 looked suspicious for the third time). i thought it would default to 30 days minimum.

I got 20!

subsequent visas I have asked and received 30 :)

Maybe that would do the trick, but still plane ticket and hotel reservation would show otherwise... You could always purchase a fully refundable ticket and cancel it.

Wow, 5 days??? And I was complaining because I only got one year! :o