to the most recent poster (i tried to quote you, but am using a friend's mac, which is foreign soil to me):

visa should be no problem. i suggest you call the chicago consulate and inquire about mail service options. option 2: pay a service like amex to run around for your. option 3: if your travels over the next few weeks will take you to any cities w consulates, do your thing there.

in all 3 cases, you have lots of time on your side.

thanks moondog

beaubo, expanding on moondog's response, the Chinese embassy now requires that your passport be handcarried IN and OUT. Oddly, anyone can handcarry your visa - it does not need to be you. Also, you must apply for your visa at the consulate which has oversight for your state.

In my case, my husband made the drive to LA. He arrived midday, and the consulate refused to do same day service. Thus, he had to return. If we had it to do over, we would pay a visa service to handcarry in the passport.

Here's hoping that we see you in Shanghai!

the hand carry rule is often waived. as i've suggested before, it all comes down to how you ask. here's a sample conversation:

consulate: hello
me: hello
c: what do you want?
m: my friend just invited me to china next week to see the great wall. i've always wanted to see the great wall because i hear it is very beautiful/magificent/great/wonderful/etc
c: yes, great wall very nice
m: i understand that i need a visa to go to china so i am calling you
c: yes, come to our office
m: unfortunately, i don't live in chicago and i work long hours. i'm saving money so i can see the great wall.
c: i see, but you need to come to our office
m: perhaps there's some way that i could mail you my passport?
c: hold on... ok, here's the address.

if that fails, they can at least refer you to agencies with which they are familiar. sometimes it helps to drop the consular's name if you can do so comfortably.

Moondog

LA wasnt waiving - no way no how

However I did find services that for about $50USD would do the handcarry dance for you

Beubo - hope this helps


Jan

I can't make it
 

well I kept holding out hope for this trip but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. Have a great time without me!! :(

Chicago China Embassey
 

I sent my secretary over to the Chicago China Embassey with my passport yesterday. They indicated I can pick up the passport tomorrow (total of three business days). I found the turnaround time pretty reasonable since it has taken me that long when obtaining a visa in Hong Kong before.

Also, I should note that the voicemail for the Chinese Embassey indicates they are closed for Chinese holidays. I am not certain if that means they will be closed for the Chinese New Year.

andrew8198, are you joining us in Shanghai?

The CDG-PVG $671 AZ Business Class ticket still being batted around bw Travelocity and Alitalia about whether they will honor!

Most recent Travelocity agent actually mirrored my booking process online and even he concluded that fare should be honored. Here's hoping!

So, still blinking yellow.

They are closed 2/9, 2/10 and 2/11 for New Year. SF office also doing a 3 day turn around, as I took my passport in on Monday and they said to come back on Thursday.

I am not certain if I will make it. I am on a flight from ORD-PVG that arrives at 5:15 pm on 2/19. I doubt I can make it from the airport to the hotel by the time people are leaving for dinner. We will see though. I am staying at the Westin so I will see how things look when I arrive. I hope to catch up with the group Sunday or Monday. I leave on 2/24.

Hope you can join in - it's always fun to meet a new face.

Try to make it Saturday night, but as a backup, I suggest that you find out if another FTer is at your hotel and get their real name - or ask GK for his cell number. I think that GK's plan is to firm up Sunday plans at the meals on Saturday.

I'm not sure if anyone is still around on Monday; most of us are headed out by then.

food-wise, when is the hairy crab season in Shanghai?

That would be fall. I just missed it when I went in Nov last year

I have to confess I haven't taken my passport (and visa application and fee) into the SF Chinese Consulate yet, but will do so this week! :eek:

2.5 years ago I traveled to China (vacation) and this was the system in effect at this consulate at that time: First, you go in and get a number. It may be hours before your number is called (plus, they take a lunch break from noon to 1:30). So you go out and do something else, then return when you think it's likely your number will be called, and turn in your stuff when your number actually is called.

Do they still use the same system? (I just want to be prepared.)