Chinese Visa in the US - UK Passport Holder
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Sep 13, 2012 10:00 AM Last Post By: LongIslandBob
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Chinese Visa in the US - UK Passport Holder
Hello allI will be going to china early next year although before that I will be in the US and Central America for over 3 months. obviously a tourist visa for china is only valid for 3 months so getting it issued in my home country (UK) is out of the question.
I am basically asking if there is anyone who has been able to obtain a chinese visa from a chinese consolate whilst in the US as a tourist or if anyone knows whether the consolates in LA or San Fran will issue them. I will be spending a majority of my time in California. i will have all of the forms/photos/valid UK passport (obviously) and also my ESTA certification to get into the US as a tourist as the UK is exempt from visas for the US.
I have tried emailing chinese consolates in the US and have not recieved replies as of yet. Also please do not suggest FedEx'ing my passport back home to have someone do it there. I have also searched numerous threads on a similar topic but there seems to have been no outcome and people have not come back to say if they were successful or not.
Any help would be much appreciated
Kind regards
Pieter
1
Your comment about the UK being exempt from visas for the USA is incorrecdt.You are in the US under the conditiosn of the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA is just the name of the form.
UK citizens are certainly NOT exempt from needing all kinds of visas. There is a reciprocal agreement in the Visa Waiver Program, but one needs to be able to comply with the regulations, which you meet.
I think your question can only be answered by the Chinese consulate.
You will probably have to show up at one of the consulates to get an answer.
2
From the SF consulate website:Visa Application Guidelines
1. Basic Materials to Be Submitted for Application
4) Proof of U.S. Residency Status – Third country citizens need to provide the original and a photocopy of proof of U.S. residency, work or study, proof of residency in the consular district (e.g. ID, water or electricity bills or tenancy agreement, etc. ) or a valid U.S. visa.
Since you are not a US resident, it appears you are not eligible to apply in the US.
However, the consulate/embassy should tell you for sure.
3
I posted this before seeing #2 response, very interesting, but....I just got thru on the phone, and the man said a UK Passport can be processed for a Tourist L Visa, you will need all the documentation of your hotels in China. But this a mere formality, just make some reservations and print them, then cancel them once you get the Visa. They may require a Onward Travel (proof of Ticket leaving China) or a Roundtrip.
But who knows, every embassy gives different answers and rules/moods change, in San Fran you may want to use a Agency to all the work for you as well, there are a lot of Chinese/Asians in the bay area that need Visa's.
