Thorn Tree travel forum

1

You can usually get a Chinese visa from any capital city in S.E. Asia very quickly (within a day) if you pay a bit extra. It might cost a fair bit to get a three month visa.

2

Several points, when asking visa questions it is useful to indicate your passport as visa issues are different for different passport holders.

Most consulates take 3-5 business days for processing.
Some consulates offer express service so that you can get your passport back faster but you pay more, sometimes considerably more.
Most consulates will NOT mail your passport to you. You need to go back to pick it up. If you don't want to drop it off and/or pick it up, you will need to use a visa service or travel agency which will charge a fee. China changed the rules in the last year so that they do not accept applications by mail nor do they mail passports back.
Most consulates have websites.
You might find some information about the Chinese consulate in Bangkok or Chiang Mai by searching on the TT. There have been several reports about these consulates in the past year.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

3

As #1 says, anywhere in SEA where there's an embassy or consulate will issue a visa.
EB, he's an Oirish passport holder ;)

4

OP - there are other possibilities that you might consider. One a double entry 30 or 60 day visa generally offers two entries within 180 days. This could be applied for prior to departure.

Tourist vsas for 90 days in China are VERY uncommon. The most people usually get it 60 days and this is generally if they apply at home and present a detailed itinerary showing travel through China but NOT in Tibet or Xinjiang (Western China).

Chinese visas can be extended. Generally speaking the first extension of 30 days is easy. The second extension when possible is usually shorter 5-10 days or sufficient time to exit the country.

Visiting Hong Kong or Macau will void your visa and you will need a double entry visa or to obtain a new visa in HK or Macau. So if you have a double entry visa you might want to use this information in planning your route of travel.

Sorry, I somehow missed the line about being Irish.

HK issued Chinese tourist visas appear to be almost always for 30 days per entrance but are often multiple entries. I think there were reports of people getting 60 day entries in Bangkok but try searching for reports.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

5

get it in chiang mai. much easier to hang about in if you choose to wait 3 or 4 days.
you pay for the entries, not the duration of stay - so 30 days or 90 will cost the same. no one asks questions so long as youre from a white wealthy country.