Options for Tourist Visa to China

[burrco]

I need to get a tourist visa for China, and as I can't get to a consulate it will need to be a postal application. However I have just noticed that no processing will occur from the 2-7 Feb, so I don't think I have left myself enough time to have this done before I leave for Asia on the 8th of Feb.

So my questions are:

Has anyone got any feedback of the time taken for a postal application for a Chinese Visa?
Has anyone applied in Hong Kong for a visa - is this possible for a one day turnaround (I have two nights in Hong Kong)?
I will also have two weeks in Tokyo - can I get a visa from the Chinese embassy there - I assume lack of English may be a concern?
I'm also willing to a quick mileage run to an Asian destination served by CX if someone has any other ideas where I can get a quick visa issued!

(sorry just noticed I really should have posted this in the immigration section)

 

[wingspan]

Applying for a tourist visa to China in Japan is quick. And by quick I mean it's a matter of minutes. Very easy and very simple. I do speak Japanese though and don't really remember if I sorted it out in Japanese or in English but it isn't too complicated, either way. There should be enough English understood to get a visa.

Here is the Embassy: 3-4-33 Moto-Azabu, - Google Maps

I think this may be your best choice seeing as you have such little time left.

In my experience, visas for entry to China cannot be issued within Hong Kong to people holding a passport from any other country.

ALTHOUGH it does depend where you are going - if you're only planning to enter Shenzhen, then you can obtain a 5-day visa valid only for stay in Shenzhen. All you need to do is leave Hong Kong immi at the Shenzhen border, and take the escalators before you get to China immi where you can obtain the 5-day Shenzhen visa on the spot.

 

[wingspan]

Also, when I have applied for a Chinese Visa in Australia via the post, it has only taken a little over a week, but I wouldn't really want to gamble with this if I was heading overseas soon.

You could always take a trip to Canberra?

 

[burrco]

Thanks wingspan. No chance of getting to Canberra - but Tokyo sounds quite doable. I might get the hotel to write me a little note in Japanese with the details I need and I'm sure they'll be able to dig up an Engish speaking staff member somewhere.

 

[Travel Guru]

You can pay extra and get it done on an urgent basis (either 24 or 48 hours depending on what you pay).

Rather than doing a postal application, I'd contact Travcour and get them to handle it for you; they will charge you a fee for their service, but they'll likely save you money also by being able to specify exactly which urgent fee if any you need.

Their number is 133 747, and generally their depots are located near the airports.

The thing you need to be wary with applying via post in Australia is the Chinese consulate are VERY fussy with forms, if you miss something, if you don't fill something out correctly, it'll come right back to you.

Travcour will check the forms before sending them, courier it there, courier it back and be able to tell you at any moment where your passport is.

Definitely worth paying for the service they provide.

TG

 

[k_sheep]

You can't get to the consulate, but can you get to the service centre in St Kilda? I used them (well the BNE office) 2 months ago and it was easy (3 day turnaround time).

Chinese Visa Application Service Center

 

[BensAdventures]

I've used the Melbourne Consul a few times (on Toorak Rd) and turn around time is a few days (if I pay a little extra it can be quicker).

I'd personally get the Visa completed before leaving Aus, it would cut down on the stress when traveling.