Right, but applying at the nearest consulate in the US is a different matter. For the last 2 years now, nearly every place in the world will require you to be an official resident of that country to apply for a Chinese visa. There are some notable exceptions but never heard of such a thing being possible in Indonesia. Sure it is worth a try but the poster needs a plan B. And should report back here in any case.

In the USA, the new geographic rule about applying to the Consulate serving your residence location is actually fairly strictly enforced, though I'm sure there's a few people who can either put out a compelling case or sweet-talk their way into an exception.

For the US non-resident tourist applicant in Indonesia, it might be worth trying the Chinese Consulate in Surabaya rather than Embassy in Jakarta. Just don't get your hopes too high. As for regional alternatives if you strike out in Indonesia, Hong Kong remains a viable option. Hanoi is also viable these days. HCMC only through an agent. Bangkok possible but a hassle, Chiang Mai possible and less hassle. Phnom Penh and Vientiane difficult. KL and Singapore have heard mixed results but mostly difficult. Do report back with what you ended up doing.

I forgot to update that the university just resent me the same original invitation letter, not the revision I crafted so delicately, so I pretty much knew I wouldn't get a 2yr visa:p However, got my visa/passports back today and I have a 1 yr multiple entry and my husband got a 1 yr multiple entry tourist visa, so that'll do^ Better than the visa company had warned me could happen....

Way to Go!

Visa Application: Relationship with Applicant: Girlfriend?
 

Hello everybody. This is my first time posting so go gentle on the new guy :)
I have been to China twice and met a wonderful girl who I will marry on my next trip to China. I'm filling out the visa application now. On the previous two occasions I put tourism as my reason for visit, but this time I have put that I will stay with a Chinese citizen, and I have a letter of invitation ready. My question is, for the "relationship with applicant" question 2.8, will it raise any flags if I put "girlfriend" there. Additionally, I was thinking of putting for question 3.7 (if you have more information about your visa application enter it here) that I will be getting married to her during this stay and that my visit will include a visit to the US Consulate there. Quite frankly I just wanted to make sure this wouldn't raise flags. The first time, I applied for a tourist visa to one city for 5 days. The second time, it was a tourist visa for the same city for 2 weeks. The officer at the Chinese embassy looked at me and said "you want to tour the same city for 2 weeks now?" He was skeptical but accepted it. Now, I feel being accepted a third time in the same city for tourism would be unlikely, so I figured I would be honest here. I could, alternatively, say I am a friend just visiting. Would that be better? Any advice would be appreciated. I'm going to the Chinese Embassy to get the visa this Friday 8/29. Thanks!!

IMO, it's best to keep things as simple as possible. In your case, "tourism" is surely the path of least resistance. Are you a US citizen applying in the US? If so, the 1 year L visa is a pretty solid option and doesn't require any jumping through hoops.

Just go for a tourist visa. nothing wrong with getting a letter of invitation from a friend. Your actual relationship and plans do not matter. I usually get an invitation letter from my girlfriend's mother.

I should add that once you are married you can apply for a visa as a family member and get longer stays.

Moondog, thanks so much for your prompt reply! I just want to clarify - are you suggesting that I go for a tourist visa and as a supplement including the letter of invitation wouldn't hurt either? In other words, still provide the letter of invitation but don't check off "short term visit to a foreigner" but rather check off "tourist"?

I just wonder if they will accept a tourist visa to the same city a third time in a row.

For clarification, yes, I am an American citizen and will be applying at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC.

The invitation letter means that you do not need to show an itinerary with hotel bookings.
You can go to the same place as often as you like. not sure why you are so nervous about all this.

I think his problem is with the official thinking he's got something other than tourism in mind since he keeps going to the same city.

We have probably 20 visas all for Shanghai but it's always been tourism/visit relatives. While we've never applied in person neither have we had any problems.

Visiting friends (the ones giving you the letter of invitation) falls under tourism. So nothing abnormal about keep visiting friends.

Thank you everybody... the second time I went to the embassy, months ago, the official gave me a skeptical look and said my visa might not be approved because I'm going to the same city for a longer stay. Now I'm doing the same thing again. Well, I'm off to the embassy - I'll let everyone know how it goes!

The embassy in DC doesn't issue visas; the consular section on Wisconsin Ave does.

It's probably too late, but when advised you to keep it simple, I was thinking that you write in your trip that's supported by the invitation letter for a short duration, AND also add a few other phantom trips to ensure that you get 1 year/ multiple entry. Additionally, those girls at the counters are not "officials"; they simply review your paperwork with you and pass it onto the actual "officials", but if they tell you that you're good to go, you probably are.

I've had many visas, all tourist, with 12+ entries per year to the same city. Immigration process the visa you have - they don't seem to go into any details behind it. I guess that is something for the consulates to consider when granting the visa in the first place. (This differs from other countries where you can still get a grilling and/or visa cancellation once you turn up at the border. But there's never been even a hint of that in my case.... until they outright cancelled 1 YR tourist visas for us non-USAers :()