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The counter girl should review your documents with you (as long as you're not dropping off a stack off 50 passports like couriers do).
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Originally Posted by aztimm
(Post 26948584)
Thanks for the quick reply!
I'm planning to visit the consulate in Houston tomorrow. Just want to make sure I'll have everything: * Visa application form * Picture on form (and an extra, just in case) * Copy of airline itinerary * Copy of hotel itinerary * Passport, and a copy of the data page (I'll keep a copy too) It sounds like I'll pay the fee, $140, via MC/Visa when I pick everything up. I thought there used to be a special form for the Houston consulate, but I don't see anything on their site now. I'm planning to get there around 9am or so... Have no idea what to expect. Do you usually just drop things off, or does someone review everything with you? I have tentative lunch plans, and can return in the afternoon if needed. Ages ago, when I was in the army stationed in Korea, I went to the Australian embassy in Seoul for a visa (this was in the early 1990s when Americans needed a visa). I remember just dropping everything off, then returning a week or so later and my passport with visa was waiting for me. |
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
(Post 26948600)
I'd bring a copy of the airline ticket receipt too, not just the itinerary/reservation.
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Originally Posted by vh_bu98
(Post 26948614)
They will do a quick review. I got mine rejected the first time because they didn't like my invitation letter. Just pay when you pickup. Also, be careful on where you park and don't park in the Starbucks parking lot. I got towed in less than 10 minutes even though my friend told me to park there.
Or is the hotel booking info ok? |
If you read the instructions on the embassy's website it says "invitation letter OR....."
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Originally Posted by aztimm
(Post 26948642)
What's the deal with the invitation letter? Do you still need it if staying at a hotel?
Or is the hotel booking info ok? |
Originally Posted by vh_bu98
(Post 26949197)
An invitation letter is not needed if you can show proof that you booked at a hotel for at least 50% of your trip. I was staying at my GF's place most of the time so my hotel booking wasn't sufficient. It was easier for her to just write me an invitation letter.
I found a good rate at a hotel and prepaid that too. So I printed out that information, as well as put it on the visa application form as to where I'll be staying. My trip isn't until November, but I'd rather get the visa now so I know I'm safe. Plus traffic in Texas seems much lighter in summer (I'm just doing a daytrip to Houston tomorrow, might go longer for the pickup). |
Originally Posted by aztimm
(Post 26949596)
Ok, thanks for the reply back!
I found a good rate at a hotel and prepaid that too. So I printed out that information, as well as put it on the visa application form as to where I'll be staying. My trip isn't until November, but I'd rather get the visa now so I know I'm safe. Plus traffic in Texas seems much lighter in summer (I'm just doing a daytrip to Houston tomorrow, might go longer for the pickup). The only person I know who has had issues is a friend of mine who was born in China, since they want additional information that wasn't made clear at the beginning. |
wouldn't be surprise if they tell you to come back next Wednesday or Thursday to pick it up. Don't lose the pick-up slip. Is there any problem with going later than the date on the slip? I'm thinking of going back in about 2 weeks. Would that be a problem? I was shocked at some things I witnessed: * people waiting until the last minute. a guy I chatted with is flying on 8/1. why would you wait so late? * people who didn't have all of their paperwork, and freaking out at the clerks. one guy seemed to go off for at least 10-15 min, there was just one clerk at the time, and at least 20 people waiting behind him. |
Originally Posted by vh_bu98
(Post 26949675)
As long as everything is correct and the information matches up to the application, then you shouldn't have any issues. The turn around is about 4 days, so if you submit it by tomorrow then I wouldn't be surprise if they tell you to come back next Wednesday or Thursday to pick it up. Don't lose the pick-up slip.
The only person I know who has had issues is a friend of mine who was born in China, since they want additional information that wasn't made clear at the beginning. Are there such agencies in your area? |
Originally Posted by aztimm
(Post 26955063)
Firstly, thanks to you and everyone else on here who provided advice yesterday. I had absolutely no issues at all. ^
Is there any problem with going later than the date on the slip? I'm thinking of going back in about 2 weeks. Would that be a problem? I was shocked at some things I witnessed: * people waiting until the last minute. a guy I chatted with is flying on 8/1. why would you wait so late? * people who didn't have all of their paperwork, and freaking out at the clerks. one guy seemed to go off for at least 10-15 min, there was just one clerk at the time, and at least 20 people waiting behind him. My old colleague was asked to visit China in a very short notice. He ended up going to San Francisco himself to apply for visa in early morning, but couldn't pick it up the same day. It took him more than two mornings in heavy traffic to the city to apply and to get his visa. He made it in time for a night departure, but the company canceled his trip. |
Originally Posted by aztimm
(Post 26955063)
Firstly, thanks to you and everyone else on here who provided advice yesterday. I had absolutely no issues at all. ^
Is there any problem with going later than the date on the slip? I'm thinking of going back in about 2 weeks. Would that be a problem? I was shocked at some things I witnessed: * people waiting until the last minute. a guy I chatted with is flying on 8/1. why would you wait so late? * people who didn't have all of their paperwork, and freaking out at the clerks. one guy seemed to go off for at least 10-15 min, there was just one clerk at the time, and at least 20 people waiting behind him. |
Originally Posted by moondog
(Post 26955565)
8/1 is 8 days from now! It's possible to pull off a same day visa in many cases, and next day is easy in most cases. Why ride on the "8 day" guy?
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Originally Posted by televisor
(Post 26966277)
They also officially advertise 4-5 business days for standard processing.
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Quick question: I currently have a 10 year L tourist visa (with 8 years left). I have to go to PEK/PVG to give a few speeches for my professional association (completely voluntary), and otherwise not doing anything for profit or for my company/clients. Can I enter on my L visa or do I have to go get a separate 10 year business visa? (I'll be doing this for the next few years, visiting China on behalf of the professional association 1-2x/year, thus needing multiple entries for this purpose). I saw some posts here where 10 year business visa holders went in for tourism and were ok, but what about the other way around (if giving speeches for a volunteer role even qualifies as business to begin with)?
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