What a ridiculous map. I'd (seriously) say China is much more welcoming than Thailand, but I don't really want to get into persiflage.

Also, though I've never been, was the information about Chad crowd-sourced? A bit surprised to see them highlighted.

Anyone ever used Visagenie?

http://www.visagenie.co.uk/Visa-Requ...Tourist%20Visa

They claim to sort your Visa out in three day. Not sure I believe it.

Hi All
Just thought I'd add my experience of a visa application. I got my 90 day single visit tourist visa from Chinese Visa Direct in London. As I live in the north I did this by registered post for £100 and the whole process took four working days from start to finish.
Hope this helps someone in the future.
Kev

Not sure whether this apply to all countries, I've been told in London Chinese Visa Centre yesterday, by a friendly manager - there will be more types of Chinese visa from 1st Sept, forms will all be changed, and more details will be available on time.

Checked embassy and visa centre websites, no change and no mention of changes at all. Probably will only available from 1st Sept. He said it will be lots of changes, and remind me to read line by line.

Hope it won't be too difficult to get one...

Around the Olympics, China visa requirements (for USA citizens and residents) changed with no advance notice. Tough luck for anyone who had filled out the old form or who didn't know about the new documentation requirements. There was no grace period during the transition and, in fact, website info was out if date.

wasn't it rumoured the 1 July changes were now going to be 1 September? (which fits with your information).

this would include changes to tourist visas which could be limited to single entry.

It was always August 1, iirc. So, a one month delay... not bad for an enormous bureaucracy.

Going to CAN, most people just take a boat from HK (unless using the flight to get a cheaper price.)

Looks like the NY consulate already posted the Sept 1st forms on their website.

Doesn't look like a huge change other than the reasons for visiting to coincide with the new visa types.

http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/e...e/t1068068.htm

Thanks for posting. That seems pretty benign to me... much friendlier than I was expecting. And, I like that new 180 day stay box.

Yeah, we aren't limited to 30 days and multi-entry visas are still available.

The 2-year L visas still aren't on the form, though, and we won't be able to apply through Houston this time.

China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know)
 

Just left the Chinese Embassy in DC. Was told there is no more same day turnaround for a visa. Screwed me up, as I was just in DC for one day to get this done. Anyone else experience this? I was there at 1000, so plenty of time..???

The train is quite a popular option from Guangzhou to Hong Kong as well- also a number of people use a car and driver with a dual plated car.

There is now an "other" box, which was never there in the past (i.e. you can presumably write it in).

What's more, I strongly predict that you will be able to use Houston and DC again within 3 months if you go through a well connected agent that is near either of these consulates. ;););)

That would be nice. Houston gave us 2 year visas before.