Chinese Visa for Independent Travellers
 

Hell all, I have been looking for a topic concerning obtaining Chinese Visa for independent tourists.

Can someone share advice/suggestions of how to obtain a Chinese visa for visitors/tourists?

I checked the Chinese Embassy web page. The requirement is to apply in person to the designated embassy/consular, depending on where you live. One can also entrust a friend or travel agent to do that in person for you.

There are several visa agents listed on the chinese embassy page. Does anyone know anything about these companies: Us-Chine Business Exchange, Inc. Oasis International Travel Corp. Chinese Service Center of America

Thank you

ooops.... I am so so sorry,,, I should have read my post first....

I meant to say HELLO!!! my apologies!!

We applied in person at the consulate in Chicago. It did require two trips, since processing time was a week.

Another option is to have a passport/visa company do this for you. They will deliver your passport to the Chinese Embassy, pick it up when ready and return it to you. I used Passport Express in fall of 2004, and went through the embassy in Washington DC
It was very simple.

Haven't used a visa service recently, or the ones you list. I have used CIBT in the past, but they're not cheap.

My fiance used www.visaHQ.com recently and got back his passport on time.

No, using a visa service isn't cheap. Unless you live near a consulate or embassy or designate a friend to represent you who does, it's your only option.

nancy161 - are you going directly to China? I've heard that it's easy to get a visa in Hong Kong, although I haven't done it myself. Last trip I got the visa in Vienna, but it took five days even paying extra, I think if you paid some more extra it took three days.

Yes, one can get a visa in Hong Kong quickly; the faster you want it, the more you pay. I believe it's even possible to get it same day (morning drop-off, afternoon pick-up); or you can do it next day, 3-day, 5-day etc...

Just go to a China Travel Service location. They have like 5-6 around Hong Kong.

But back to the original question, if an agent's name is listed on the Embassy website, it should definitely be reliable. Many are probably owned by the Chinese government.

My friends (U.S. passports holders) are planning to go independent travel in China with roundtrip arriving and departing Shanghai. Should they want to go to Hong Kong for a few days in between, do they need a multiple-entry China visa for leaving the mainland going to HK, and re-entering to Shanghai?

Shanghaiese - Yes, they'll need a 2-entry visa. Going to Hong Kong is equal to getting out of the country.

Thank you, rkkwan.

Has anyone applied for a Chinese visa in Osaka ? How long did it take you to get back your US passport ? Thank you

Thank you all for your input.

Is it easy for US citizens to obtain Chinese visa from Hong Kong? Maybe this is an option, to wait till we get to HK to apply; but it makes me a bit nervous about not having the visa before leaving home.

nancy - As I said in my 3/1/06 4:18pm post, yes you can get your Chinese visa in Hong Kong. But if you need it in a hurry, it'll cost you a lot. If you're going to be in Hong Kong at least a week (5 working days) before going to China, then fine. Otherwise, it may not save you any money.

I am Canadian and have got a visa in Hong Kong twice. Once because we were crossing the broder to do some shopping and a 2nd time because we were buying a 4-day trip to Hainan, China through China Travel Services. Very easy. And as rkkwan said the price does go up the faster you want it. Same day was available. We waited because it was cheaper to buy in HK than at the consolate in Toronto.

I don't know if it's the same for US citizens.

This fall, in additiona to our usual trip to HK, we are doing a 12-day tour starting in Beijing and are sad that we have to purchase our visa ahead of time at the higher rate. Plus its a visit downtown when we live and work north-east of the city unless we trust the travel agent to do it for us. They said they would for free. Either way it's scary handing over your passport. More so the first time doing it in HK but they were so reliable and fast that we didn't have any concerns about doing it the second time.

Betty

IN australia we just get our travel agent to do it. Its quick easy and no fuss. surely for all that the US offers, the travel agents can provide that service? sorry for my ignorance

Please enlighten. A couple of posters have noted that getting a visa in Hong Kong will cost you alot.. about how much are we talking about? Thanks.