China visa processing back to normal
 

According to mychinavisa.com, a service that has been recommended here and that I use (but have no connection with other than as a customer), the visa issuing practices for US citizens are back to normal and it is again possible to get rush service.

I can confirm this. I applied for my (2nd) Chinese visa at the New York Consulate today without issues.

No declaration form. All rush services available. Was able to get 1 year multi entry

not in la...
 

I picked up my visa yesterday from the Los Angeles Chinese Consulate yesterday and they still have signs posted "no rush service".... In fact, they still have a 1 week wait (up from what used to be 3-4 days, according to their website) to get anything done. So I guess its YMMV based on location.

Although, I asked for a single entry visa on the application and they gave me (and my travel partner) a 1 year multi entry visa, which was a nice surprise, not that I have plans for more than 1 entry...

I was not aware of the "back to normalcy bit", but I got the visa via a travel agent. Dropped off the passport 1 day, picked it up one week later. Saw the stamp of issue date: 2 day after I dropped off the passport. SO they basically approved the visa app within 24 hours.

my 1 year multi entry visa took a few days, same as normal in Chicago.

Profit Motive
 

Or it is a "let's date it back to the date we received the application." The earlier the date, the earlier it expires and the sooner you get to pay for another one. ;)

Back to Normal???
 

I don't know what back to normal means. Let me explain. I went to the Chinese consulate Friday morning - Jun12, to apply for a visa. I waited about 40 minutes to get to the front of the line. Handed in my paperwork, requested same day service and was told to come back at 2PM.

Arrived a bit early at 1:30, got in line to pick up visa. I left the consulate at 4:12. The initial line was up the steps to the second floor. Then I waited on line to get a number to wait on another line to pay. The lines were long, the place was hot, no one was sure we were in the right lines, the process was absurd. Is that back to normal???

the ~10 times ive been to the chiense consulate, both for myself and others, that is the norm. Most of the time the line is for the application and not the pickup, but lately both have been very long. Just volume.

This is excellent preparation for the normality that awaits you when you actually get to China. Except, the notion of "queueing" is itself a flexible concept. :D :D

You think that's bad, try the PSB office in Beijing in Andingmen...

Maybe I've been lucky, but things run like butter at the office in DC. Never had a problem there, except when they closed the door at 259pm and I had to get my visa the next day :mad: . Except that was probably my own fault...

This type of experience is exactly why it's worth it to me to pay $35 for a visa service!

I agree wholeheartedly. If I would've known it would have been such an ordeal I would have definitely paid the $35. Which organization do you use?

The one mentioned in the first post, which I heard about because it was posted here with good recommendations from other flyertalkers. Have now used them three times, all three went well.

Sorry I missed that "refrigerator vision". I've used them myself last year and they were great. It's just that this time I was going to be in NYC and figured I'd do it myself and save the $39+ shipping times 2 (mine and Mr. WMA). Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!!!