I've always had good customer service when applying for visas. Then again, I usually bring along a blank money order for the amount needed.. and ask the counter person, "..to whom should I make this out to?" ... the workers are more than happy to "take care of that" for me. :)

Well, I called long distance to Japan Travel Bureau in Hong Kong @852-2734-9288 and asked if I was calling the TST East office. The lady said yes, and I asked if they could issue China visas (didn't specify which type at this point, but just wanted a one time entry) to American passport holders. She said no. :( Told her that I was informed that they could issue the visas and she still said no. So can someone out there get the real story. :confused:

I'd suggest you look very carefully at how to apply within the US. The last thing you want is to go to all this hassle and then be told at the border that visas issued o/side the US are invalid, or something else like that.

As for going over to TST to check for you ? Kowloon ? You want me to go over there... as if. :p

Well, I have been doing it for the last 3 years there. Unfortunately, the last time I had to get an emergency China visa in S'pore so haven't been back in 6+ months. I will go at end week this week as I do need another.

One can also get Chinese visas at most travel agents but it's costlier. If you get it yourself at the Chinese consulate (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), it will be cheaper but will take longer. Plus, the 6 month visas there requires one to exit every 30 days. The PSB (Public Security Bureau) 6 month visas lets one stay on the ground for the whole 6 months. I get my PSB visas at JTB...

Well, will advise by this weekend with details and price charts.

GK, I'm not asking anyone to physically go over to TST, Kowloon. I know it's a loooooonnng distance from HK side. ;) Just thought a kind soul somewhere in HK or Kowloon could just pick up the phone and try reconfirming the answer I got from JTB for the benefit of all FTers. The phone # I listed in my earlier post was obtained from an indirect search on the web so wasn't sure if it was JTB's TST East office's #.

Maybe they're like UA CSRs --> Call ten times and get ten different answers. :rolleyes:

oontiveros, are you going into China on business or leisure? Is the six month PSB visa for business travelers only? In the past, I was told by the Chinese consulates in the US that leisure travelers can at max get a 90 day double entry visa, no 6 month multiple entry visas allowed (unless maybe you knew some insiders ;) ).

I also called long distance to China Travel Service in Kowloon @852-2315-7188. That person said they could issue single entry visas to American passport holders for HK $450 for ordinary (3 work days) issuance. Expedited ones cost a bit more, of course. This will probably suffix for me. But you said in a earlier post that JTB could issue 6 month multiple entry visas with only a one day processing time for HK $400. I was thinking why not get the longer visa since it's cheaper too.

Looking forward to your answer later this week.

every consulate has its own procedures, but 6 month (tourist) visas have been widely available without hassel for as long as i can remember.

here's some more info from my experiences (similar to what you'll find on the consular websites, but perhaps slightly more pragmatic):

-the four main visa types are: L (tourist), F (business), Z (employee), X (student)
-both L and F visas can be issued with 3/6/12/24 month durations for persons without special circumstances (e.g. HKID)
-prices are linked to duration, not visa type --> F/L are the same price
-L visas are easier to get than F visas because the latter require invitation letters for which some consular officials set ridiculous standards (e.g. letter must carry stamp of relevant government agency in host region)
-the functional differences between L and F are minimal, if any

-those agencies in HK are useful because they have very good consular relationships which eliminate lots of red tape
-for example, they can get F visas without invitation letters (well, i'm sure someone gets a letter, but applicants are never troubled by such trivial concerns)
-i suspect the japan place (and its counterparts) are probably taking americans on a case-by-case basis because they don't want to strain their insiders too much (that costs political capital)

-my advice; just get a visa in the US
-high season is almost over --> short lines
-the staffers don't seem to have any bones to pick with americans
-with a little legwork, you can do at least half the process by mail (depending on the consulate)

I was sent an email by Zagat's today, it stated the following, perhaps someone else can take advantage of the offer (if allowed):

"We are currently balloting for our first-ever Shanghai Restaurants survey. If you have been to Shanghai restaurants in the past year, we'd like to include you among the knowledgeable reviewers whose witty and descriptive comments make Zagat Survey guides an indispensable resource for consumers around the world.

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I am in Australia and NZ for the next few weeks, so will check up on the visa issue once back in HK. I can only stress my advise to get it done within the US. For reference, I am an HKID holder, UK passport and have had no problems getting 6mths multiple entry visas for china through my office travel agent (P&O Travel).

It would be terrible if you were refused permission to leave China, if the exit official considered your visa to be invalid, but the entry official had a different opinion.

This happened to me once in Mongolia. A very expensive exercise and red-tape all over the place. I know they are different countries, but after that incident, caution has been my method.

Some of us are lucky enough to live in cities that contain a Chinese consulate. Two years ago, I was able to take my passport, visa application, and payment in person to the consulate and pick up the passport (with the visa glued into it) a few days later.

I might get a 12-month multiple-entry visa if I decide to go to the Shanghai Do. Reason being that I'm thinking of doing a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway next fall, taking the Mongolian branch to Beijing. :p

US Consulate / Embassy Locations
 

According to: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ there are visa issuing locations in:

Washington
New York
Chicago
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Houston

So if you don't live in near those cities, keep an eye on mileage runs. But beware ! According to the site, you have to go to the specified office for your state - see the map on http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t84229.htm

Application forms can be pre-ordered by calling and asking for fax or post delivery.

It seems you have to deliver it, and then either go back to collect or, perhaps they send it on to you.. best to check that last part directly.

Hi, I go to China for business, and sometimes leisure, and get the 6 month F visa issued by the PSB. As mentioned, I have been doing this for the last 3 years (and I have a flat in Shanghai that I had to register with the local neighbourhood Party and the police, showing my passport & visa) and dont' know what all the fuss is about with regards to where you get your visa. There are no documentation requirements and it has been a non-issue...

I am certainly not an exclusive US passport holder client of JTB...there are loads of US and Brit passports in a pile that I see whenever I pick up my passport. Its HKD400 for next day pickup (provided you get it in on time) and you would need 1 photo...not even that if you pay HKD 20 extra and they use the scan from your passport photo.

The only thing I would be cautious about is that they might not give you the 6 month multiple entry visa if you have not ever had a Chinese visa.

Anyway, I am going there tomorrow and will let you all know...hope everything is status quo...

Chinese visas for infants
 

My wife, born in Shanghai, myself and our 4 month old are headed to Shanghai in October. My wife has a Chinese passport and does not need a visa, but my son does. Will they issue my American born child a visa that would allow him to stay 2 months?
Thansk

yeah, even the cheapest visas are valid for 3 months. note: if you choose to go the multi-entry route, you should specify 60-days or more per stay because 30-days per stay is the default at some consulates.

We downloaded and printed the visa form over the net, and they accepted it with no problems. Also, I gave them a filled out fedex form with our applications and they sent all the passports back to me, although apparently there was a $5 extra charge for this. This was in SF.

It was rather disconcerting to leave the passports with no receipt or anything, but when I asked, they did let me copy down a "case number."

Still, this is a real pain in the neck. Some web page I read said that if you have a round trip air ticket and exit/enter via Pudong in less than 48 hours, you can get a visa on arrival. Wonder if that still applies, it seemed current? Rather short, but maybe would work for some.

Just general info from me, as of right now, alas, I don't think I can make this event!