chinese visa--advice

[carspath]

i need to get a chinese visa , and am planning to go to the outsourced visa application centre in london shortly

has anyone here done this recently, and if so have you got any advice as to how to make things go more smoothly?

[fat80b]

we get them done through work (mine is being done atm)

Just to let you know that it is closed for a week soon for chinese new year.

The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre will be closed for the Spring Festival from Wednesday 2nd February 2011, re-opening on Monday 7th February.

Bob

[carspath]

jon--that was really helpful info. thanks.
who does your work use to get the visas?

[FunkyGibbon]

I use Trailfinders visa service.

http://visas.trailfinders.com/visas.nsf/china?read...

Fast and reliable every time.

[paul0843]

You can also do it yourself. Google for info..you book an appointment on line.. You need photographs.
Also you may need an invitation letter if for business..

[paul0843]

You can also do it yourself. Google for info..you book an appointment on line.. You need photographs.
Also you may need an invitation letter if for business..

[carspath]

thank-you for all this info

are there any tips on getting it done with the minimum hassle ,from anyone who has done it by themselves?

[carspath]

has anybody been to the london chinese embassy visa application service centre place themselves. Does it work smoothly or are there problems getting the visa from here??

[pikeyboy]

fat80b said:

we get them done through work (mine is being done atm)

Just to let you know that it is closed for a week soon for chinese new year.

The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre will be closed for the Spring Festival from Wednesday 2nd February 2011, re-opening on Monday 7th February.

Bob

I got one done through work at the end of last year, we use a external agency but I was told to make sure you fill in all the details on the form as the cchinese are very picky. I ended up with a 12 month multi entry visa. If your going o na work visit you'll probarbly need a letter of invitation from the company/person you are visiting? ps my mate at work got turned away at beijing airport on a technicality even though is visa was valid.

[Planet Claire]

I went back to China in early October and from what I could make out you can't get a visa on the same day, which you used to be able to do when the Embassy was based on Regent Street. Best thing to do is apply by post. Print off the application forms and return, along with your passport, payment details and sae. I got my passport back within two weeks.

Link

[fat80b]

pikeyboy said:

I was told to make sure you fill in all the details on the form as the cchinese are very picky. I ended up with a 12 month multi entry visa. If your going o na work visit you'll probarbly need a letter of invitation from the company/person you are visiting?

true about the pickiness - we have had the forms rejected because a different pen / handwriting was used on different bits of the form even though it was all technically correct.

It also seems to be a bit of a lottery as to whether you get a multiple entry or not. I always tick the box but have only ever had 1/4 as a multiple entry.

Bob

[R6dug]

carspath said:

has anybody been to the london chinese embassy visa application service centre place themselves. Does it work smoothly or are there problems getting the visa from here??

I would post it or get someone else to go. Last time i got a visa i was there for 7a.m and there was a good 20 people in front of me.
(This was the Regent street office)

[paul0843]

you book an appointment on line,print the forms,fill them and take them with photographs and your passport to a place near holborn circus.have done this numerous times..
they check them,you pay the fee and then you collect your visa 3-4 days after..

[Mojooo]

I used the company below - I sent them my passport and paid £52 on the internet and they then go down to the Chinese Embassy and get the VISA for you and send your passport back.

Naturally I was worried about the passport being out of my hands but it worked out OK. I wouldnt use that type of service if I needed it urgently either

http://www.5starchinesevisa.co.uk/

I used them in March 2008.


BTW when I got to Beijing my passport was 8 years old and I looked totally different to my passport photo - I thought they were going to send me home! Luckily they accepted my driving licence as extra help to prove my ID.

[PoleDriver]

First time I did it. I went to the Chinese embassy in London, quite a straightforward process, read up on their website and do what they say and you'll have no problems'
Now my company use these people. Never let us down and they keep you posted through the whole process! They are not cheap though!