Comments on: Visa issues

By: gnanna

gnanna — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:50:40 +0000

I am taking students to China in May and one girl was a late addition to replace a student who could not go and we were told this week that we have to show her airline and hotel reservations to get the visa for her. The other 20 of us did not have to do that just a few weeks ago….I do hope that they will not require this of adoptive families since it will likely slow things down…arg!

By: momofnlc

momofnlc — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:26:42 +0000

RIght now, one of the major couriers is saying that the expedited visa processing has been suspended (no more 24 or 48 hour turn-around time). So it very well could cause issues for people trying to travel quickly after TA. My brother and sister in law got TA on a Monday, CA Tuesday and left for China that Friday. Those kind of quick trips won’t be possible right now.

By: sarahkate60120

sarahkate60120 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:13:53 +0000

“Our agency has never let us get the visa before TAâ€¦the visa process is very fast. YOu can even â€œone-dayâ€ itâ€¦so why take the risk? We have always waited for TAâ€¦and it comes WITH itinerary. ”

Especially with the SN process, from TA to travel can be especially quick. I got my TA on a Monday and less than 4 days later was on the plane to China. I had to work that week as well, so it would have been extremely hard to get into the Consulate in Chicago to get the Visa. As soon as my LOA arrived I got the visa. It usually comes two to four weeks before TA so that should be a good time to get the Visa and still have it be valid by travel.

Julie

By: beenheredonethat

beenheredonethat — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:41:27 +0000

It would sure be nice if China would give a heads up (and perhaps save a bit of face) as to what is about to happen during the olympics.

I agree with azawa, I think this whole process is about to come to a screeching halt until the games are over. I hope I am wrong, but I don’t believe it is anywhere near the top of their priority list, actually, I don’t believe it even shows up on their priority list. Sorry…

By: azawa

azawa — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:15:02 +0000

A little off topic but what if you have tickets to an Olympic even and then can’t get a visa to enter China?

I think referrals and IA travel will stop soon and not resume until the Olympics are over. I am not sure it is politically motivated, just too many bodies for China to deal with in addition to their own population.

By: violet

violet — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Our agency has never let us get the visa before TA…the visa process is very fast. YOu can even “one-day” it…so why take the risk? We have always waited for TA…and it comes WITH itinerary.

By: jenn

jenn — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:59:09 +0000

Certainly an interesting development. We got our visas—thanks to a kind friend—back in January. Because the cost was the same, we got the multiple entry visas. For one thing, you just never know! But also, my husband is going back to China in October. Now I’m wondering if the visas will still be valid?

By: hopesemper

hopesemper — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:23:44 +0000

I think this has everything to do with the Olympics. My cousin lives in Beijing and he told me that security is high and he felt that the amount of visitors would be controlled.

By: waiting4emma

waiting4emma — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:12:59 +0000

We had a terrible experience yesterday at the Chicago Consulate. There were about 15 people in the lobby who had all been called back to have their visas changed. Instead of having 3 months to enter China, we now have until May 17. Come on TA!!!!

By: waiting4Ash

waiting4Ash — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:56:51 +0000

I find myself saying this more and more…If it isn’t one thing it is another.

My sercurity word is family…I long for ours to be one person larger!