Getting a Chinese Visa

[ChaiyaTH]

14 minutes ago, Tubulat said:

Yes, it is possible, as a foreigner I did that some 6 years ago and went to the Chinese embassy, not consulate, in Bangkok and get a visa to visit China.

Sounds really relevant... 6 years ago. I could have said to invest in Ukraine at that time.

[Andyfez]

If you can prove that you are resident here yes. As a tourist, probably not

[sandyf]

11 hours ago, shdmn said:

Yes I know what it says.  That is why I came on here and asked the question if I can get it done in Bangkok instead.  Others, who have presumably entered Thailand as a tourist and done it, are implying it's possible to do this in Bangkok.

Asking questions on here will always lead to conflicting answers.  I have done it a couple of times, first time you had to go to the embassy but then they opened the VAC. I found it all very straightforward but I was on a Non O.

I would suggest you just make the application in Bangkok and when interviewed you can plead your case. All you need is fairly reasonable reasons why you did not get visa before travelling. The same thing is said about Schengen visas for Thais, yet I know of several successful applications made in the UK.

I would also suggest that your case would be stronger if you came to Thailand on a tourist visa rather than visa exempt. I am aware that many will disagree on that but it is all about perception, at the end of the day, up to you.

[RayOday]

On 6/23/2024 at 7:34 AM, shdmn said:

Yes, it appears that an agoda reservation would probably suffice according to the info at that link.  Sounds easy enough.  Chinese Visa Center is only about a 10min walk from Phetchaburi MRT.

In my experience the information is correct. The China visa center on Rama IX is large and set up to facilitate relatively quick visa turnaround despite the high volumes of applicants. I have applied and have been granted visas a few times. The set up is impressive and English, Thai, Spanish, and Mandarin are spoken. 

[Tomio]

A somewhat related topic. I have an American passport and 5 or 6 years ago I received a ten year tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Th actual visa is stamped in a passport that expired last year. Does anyone know if that visa is still valid and acceptable for another trip to China?

[Danderman123]

On 6/22/2024 at 9:43 PM, Upnotover said:

I used to get visas in Bangkok regularly, always issued the same day.  It seemed to me the most important document was the invitation letter from some Chinese entity.  I'd reckon if you have that you're good to go.

Now, Americans who want to get a Chinese tourist visa (L-visa) no longer have to submit proof of a round-trip flight booking, a hotel reservation, an organized itinerary or a letter of invitation.

[Danderman123]

On 6/24/2024 at 3:27 PM, Tomio said:

A somewhat related topic. I have an American passport and 5 or 6 years ago I received a ten year tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Th actual visa is stamped in a passport that expired last year. Does anyone know if that visa is still valid and acceptable for another trip to China?

My recollection is that all such visas were cancelled during COVID.

[Phillip9]

On 7/12/2024 at 6:55 PM, Danderman123 said:

My recollection is that all such visas were cancelled during COVID.

Nope, wrong.  Ten year visas are valid even if they are in an expired passport.  I have one issued before covid that I have used since covid restrictions ended.  

 

 

[Captain Monday]

On 6/24/2024 at 8:50 AM, Andyfez said:

If you can prove that you are resident here yes. As a tourist, probably not

The easiest place for crew visa I experienced is the China Visa Centre in Hong Kong (visa exempt)

I have applied same two or three times at China Consulate of Chiang Mai.

I would have been visa exempt ot elite at the time. 

 

hey dont seem to care what your visa status is in Thailand only that you have the right documents.

[DaLa]

I've just visited China from here in los. Uk passport can obtain 144 hour transit visa obtained on arrival in certain areas ( I visited Guangzhou ). Canadian passport holder can obtain visa free of charge on arrival for 72 hours. Apologies if that isn't long enough.

[Danderman123]

On 6/24/2024 at 3:27 PM, Tomio said:

A somewhat related topic. I have an American passport and 5 or 6 years ago I received a ten year tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Th actual visa is stamped in a passport that expired last year. Does anyone know if that visa is still valid and acceptable for another trip to China?

 

On 7/14/2024 at 12:12 PM, Phillip9 said:

Ten year visas are valid even if they are in an expired passport.  I have one issued before covid that I have used since covid restrictions ended.  

 

 

I found a valid 10 year Chinese visa in a passport that expired in 2019.