Last edit by: JDiver
NOTE: The information in this thread is obsolete. Please consider this thread a historic archive of past issues and discussion regarding China visas, as it is now closed to further posting.
Recent posts have been moved to the relevant and currently active "sticky" thread, China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know).
Thank you,
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Recent posts have been moved to the relevant and currently active "sticky" thread, China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know).
Thank you,
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Chinese visa discussion
#76
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 215
HLS2002 -- Did you have to drop off and pick up your visa in person in order to do it in NYC? I'm considering doing it in person rather than through Zierer.
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
Just wanted to say thanks for the advice in this thread about using ZVS, and would like to add my recommendation. I used them and got my passport back in a week. The service was friendly, efficient, and professional. Can't say anything but good stuff about them!^
#78
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: Priority Club Plat./Ambassador; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Kempinski Platinum
Posts: 388
Tadive -- I handled it all in person. It wasn't clear whether that was entirely necessary. Particularly for the pick-up, it seemed like anyone with the receipt could collect the passport when it was ready. The drop-off didn't involve much more than waiting 10 minutes just to hand over the completed form and the passport. Although the official took a quick look to make sure the form was completed and there was a blank passport page, there were no questions or anything.
#79
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, HH, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 799
Great Visa Service
I sent my passport to http://mychinavisa.com/ and within a week I got my passport back. Did not expedite a single thing. Choose regular service for single entry tourist visa. They sent me an email the day they received my passport, and an email for me to track the return. I would use this service again in heartbeat.^
#80
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: Priority Club Plat./Ambassador; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Kempinski Platinum
Posts: 388
If you live in a city with a Chinese consulate, or if you're going to be spending a few days in such a city, it seems like a waste to pay service fees to some agency. Of course, if you're not going to be in one of those cities and you don't have a friend there who can handle it, I guess there's no alternative.
If the Chinese consulate were on the East Side in New York, I'd be happy to drop off the visas for the FlyerTalk community for free, but way over on the Hudson is a bit of a hike for me.
If the Chinese consulate were on the East Side in New York, I'd be happy to drop off the visas for the FlyerTalk community for free, but way over on the Hudson is a bit of a hike for me.
#81
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA Premier Plat/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 263
Does anyone know of the website that describes the 48 hours transit-visa to PVG? I know this can be done because I have done it, but I forgot where I printed out the rules last time. It will make the process easier if I have the rules in hand.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#82
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA Premier Plat/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 263
BTW I found the website. Hope this helps the other folks who are seeking similar info: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84248.htm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHL (and sometimes BKK)
Programs: aa/ua gold; mar titanium. SPG till I die.
Posts: 15,648
I just used an agency called "Chinese Service Center of America" to get our visas. They were pretty quick and had the lowest fee I could find ($19.95 for one person or $17.95 ea for 2+).
Here is their website: http://www.visamailservice.com/
Here is their website: http://www.visamailservice.com/
I had to pay a lot more for the visa than the $19.95 processing fee since I had less than a week's notice, but they updated their site and emailed me with status updates and the return FedEx tracking #. Those fees are the nature of the beast... last minute trip.
I will definately use them again, and recommend those who ask about it to use them as well.
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
Programs: Fly UA MM 1K, Sleep Hyatt & IHG, Hertzer. 2022 Flyertalk Fantasy Football Champion
Posts: 11,197
Duh, My Visa Renewal!
I can drop it off early Monday morning when they open, but I need it back by Friday. The other alternative is to go ahead and fly to China (the visa is still good for multiple 120-day entries before June 14th), then renew it when I make a trip home for a week during the summer. It's my understanding that F visas can only be renewed in your home country. There's a chance that I may make a few trips to Europe this summer from PEK, so I wanted to make sure that everything was in order.
#85
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,008
The other alternative is to go ahead and fly to China (the visa is still good for multiple 120-day entries before June 14th), then renew it when I make a trip home for a week during the summer. It's my understanding that F visas can only be renewed in your home country.
#86
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,853
I just applied for a multiple entry F visa -- decided to push the system since there were a number of other visas already in my passport and asked for a 5 year multiple entry visa, hoping that I'd least get 2 years.
Didn't work, the SF consulate just issued me a 1 year multiple entry. I'll still try for more next time.
Didn't work, the SF consulate just issued me a 1 year multiple entry. I'll still try for more next time.
#87
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HKG
Programs: CX GO
Posts: 32
You might have better luck applying at your local Entry Exit Bureau in China, assuming you have time on your trip. When I got my last F in Hangzhou, the EEB people told me my next visa could be a longer duration if I had at least XX no. of entry stamps. I can't remember exactly what XX was (maybe 3?) but the more the better.
#88
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,008
You might have better luck applying at your local Entry Exit Bureau in China, assuming you have time on your trip. When I got my last F in Hangzhou, the EEB people told me my next visa could be a longer duration if I had at least XX no. of entry stamps. I can't remember exactly what XX was (maybe 3?) but the more the better.
#89
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HKG
Programs: CX GO
Posts: 32
I can't remember exactly. This wasn't written down anywhere, and was just based on a casual conversation with the very nice woman dealing with foreigners at the EEB that day. I think the deal was if you have a one-year F and meet the entry stamps requirement, your next one can be for three years. Not sure if this is just a Zhejiang thing or is applicable throughout China.
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
Programs: Fly UA MM 1K, Sleep Hyatt & IHG, Hertzer. 2022 Flyertalk Fantasy Football Champion
Posts: 11,197
What is the Entry/Exit Bureau? I'm a little lost on the process of visa renewal while inside China. I may be in a situation where I need to do that. My multi-entry F visa expires June 14th and I currently have 2 entries on that visa (the minimum for renewal according to the Chinese Consulate website for New York City). However, would it make sense to enter a 3rd time and simply renew while I'm in country? It's not exactly a guarantee that I'm going to come back state side this summer, so I may not need an extension - I just wanted one just in case.
I found this website, is this the Entry-Exit Bureau? http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/epolice/index.htm
I thought that an agent was needed to renew a visa in country, is there a way to do it direct?
I found this website, is this the Entry-Exit Bureau? http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/epolice/index.htm
I thought that an agent was needed to renew a visa in country, is there a way to do it direct?
Last edited by TravelManKen; May 16, 2007 at 7:53 am Reason: oops, said passport instead of visa