When we got our visa for China last yr theere was only a two pg form I downloaded on line. We actually flew to Washington DC and brought in the information required along with our passports. We waited there for a couple of hours in the morning and gave them the information required along with the passports. They told us to return after 1pm for the passports with the visa. We went toi lunch and returned and lined up, they informed us that they will be returned after 2pm. At 2 pm they started to hand back the passports stamped with the visa. Acouple of peopele were turned down for not having the correct information. No where were we asked to fill out a four pg form. It was our understanding that in June 2011 they changed to a simplfied 2 pg application, which we used to obtain our visas.

this does not apply for ny, and you cannot get your passports back for 5-6 days..

"...i know usa is tough, but for obvious reasons... we give everything away once you are here---you are set for life....."
I don't get your point. We are talking about a tourist visa. How can a Chinese who is visiting the US for 2 weeks be set for life?

Some activity on Peter Neville-Hadley's list suggests that the Chinese visa process has gotten quite a bit tougher this summer . It sounds as though Bob and Karen may be dealing with a different set of requirements than those of us who got our visas earler did.

mary, that may be true

JPDeM - Not so much these days with the Chinese economy booming and US one not, but for the past many years, plenty of Chinese nationals arrive in the US with tourist visas, and then never return. Just "disappear" into Chinatowns as illegals. Of course, one can argue if that's really "set for life".

Here's a link to the article cited on the Oriental List referred to above by marya:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-visa-demands=

Months ago the same List offered the opinion that visa requirements might be tightened due to the fall party congress but a month ago I found it not to be the case. I'm still inclined to fault your visa company although it'll be interesting if others have similar difficulties now.

having been to China during '84 and '07, Bob, I'm sorry you've had so much trouble. It's proably the ex-banker bit that makes he Visa people a leeedle bit suspicious of you.

I've already alerted my street people in BJ, Xian, and Shanghai to be on the watch for you and Karen. If I recall properly, I already had sent you my pics from both visits.

As you know, my overseas days are over, so I'm living vicariously through travelers like you needy Needhamites.
Can you imagine how Panda would have ripped you over this?
stu

dgunbug, sounds like a plan ;)

stu, we will be with the needhamites for a spell this time around and even though you may not hear about it as eloquently as Andy would have written about it, I assure you I will try my best to rip bob a new one for you and all in fodorsville enjoyment,lol

Aloha!

Stu - would have loved to have met you. Hope you are well. We promise to fill you in afterward.

why does everyone hate me?

Aha! So Bob is a persona non grata in China! They must think that you're trying to devaluate their currency or something like that.

Actually if you tell the Chinese that you're trying to devaluate their currency they will definitely give you a visa.

Pook
East coast investment bankers are already living off us.....no need for their opinions .....

Linda says she loves u bob..... cant wait to be with you all .....on the other hand..... u don't like Obama....time to play the cards :) I will send u a spreadsheet....Andy wasn't as Cambridged as I thought.

Aloha!

Bob knows he's loved, even if he is a Republican. In the meantime, I've been reading that visas are becoming impossible to get. We all may have to go to Plan B! Indonesia? Waiting for our Visas as well.

Your agency might have warned you about the tightened requirements. Apparently, according to the article, a letter of invitation is now needed which can be provided by tour companies. But, as mentioned in the Bangkok post article, it makes it difficult for independednt travelers.

This is interesting, though, and may be a way out for you if the way is not clear with your current application:

"the tightening of the rules that began earlier this year seems to have continued. This had no effect at the Hong Kong visa agencies, where the sight of hotel bookings and air tickets was still not required, although it was elsewhere.

The big question for independent travellers now is, of course, whether things continue to be easier in Hong Kong, and whether visas may be obtained without an invitation?

It should be pointed out that very likely, if this restriction stays in place, ways of circumventing it will quickly come into existence, with agencies in China selling invitations..."

Read the full article (same one as above):
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-visa-demands=

ok, here is the latest: this morning the consulate has asked for a written schedule of our flights... they already received a copy of all of our tickets, but now they want this..

I FIND THIS OVER THE TOP!!!!!

I think you agent isn't very good. Other people have no reported this sort of problem.

OMG, now that is not what they want... they want to see my return airline ticket to the usa, which i have already given them!! so off to boston we go with them.

OMG Sounds like your agent has a brain the size of a pea. Good luck.