Chinese Visa Question
 

I have been trying in vain to get through to a live person at the Los Angeles Chinese Consulate to ask a very simple question. Perhaps someone in cyberspace can help? Can my father, who lives in St. Louis, and who is traveling to China with me in May, get his visa taken care of here at the consulate in L.A. while visiting me next week, or does he need to handle the visa process through the Chicago consulate. (which would neccesitate having to use a service.) Just trying to make sure that he is not required to process through Chicago because he lives in St. Louis. I have told him to bring his passport and an extra passport photo, (I am in possession of the air tickets to China,) in the hopes that we can get the visas together here in L.A. without him having to utilize a service since there isn't a Chinese Consulate in St. Lou. Will this work?

He can get a visa at any consulate.

(I live in Boston and have gotten my visas through the Houston consulate.)

Live in Reno and got my visa in Washington DC. So it doesn`t matter

Thank you ever so much!

Just adding information. You may already know this. It was new to me. I got my visa to visit China two years ago in San Francisco. The traveler need not appear in person. Anyone can file the form, two (I think) passport type photos, the passport, and the fee. It was a three-day process. Seemed mandatory to return exactly three days later to pick up the passport with the visa attached inside.

Yes, anybody can do it for you at a Chinese consulate. The applicant doesn't need to be there.

You can pick up anytime after its ready. No need to pick up on the exact date.

You pay when you pick up. Depends on the consulate, some are cash only.