Heads up on China Visas

Yes it seems to be the inspired finishing touches of the 欢迎在北京 communication plan.

Sebastian, The computer glitch must be really bad. I applied for a visa to attend the Canton Fair earlier in April. As I wanted double entry, I had to apply for a 6 month visa (the option of 3 month double entry is not available in Australia ?). I had a phone call from the Chinese Embassy, advising that due to a computer "problem" they would only give me a 3 month visa. got the double entry, but they still charged me for the 6 month visa .... I think this is just another way to farm the tourists - no conspiracy there, just plain old fashioned revenue raising.

Wei1xiao4, thank you for the very valuable update. China, wonderful people, still working on learning the correct hanzi to describe the bureaucracy.

Yes, bbjt, it does sound a little counterintuitive, doesn't it.

I think I know why they are doing it but Im not sure its the best answer to their concerns.

Thankfully, I had no problem receiving mine just this last week. I went through a visa processing agency in Houston, was skiddish about sending my passport through the mail, but alas its safely back in my hands with visa attached.

Yeah, I read a little about it in the paper. Is this a permanent change, because from the sounds of it loads of people were complaining. It made no sense to me.

Nobody knows if it is a permanent change, because the official statement from Beijing is that nothing has changed at all. The visa office in Hong Kong says they can not issue certain kinds of multiple entry visas, because of a "computer" error. Also the reason they give for requiring some people to apply visas in their home country is that "visa applicants are increasing in a large number and need longer waiting time in the visa office recently"... The change does not make any sense from a traveler's or business perspective, but it makes some sense from a geopolitical perspective. I heard that some chinese officials believe that certain governments are actively involved in attempting to destabilize their country at the moment, and this is one way of fighting back.

Is this a temporary thing driven by the olympics? I never could understand why the rules were different in HK. I have a two year multiple entry visa but had to work up to that. I wish they would create a 5 year visa or even a lifetime visa but wont happen now since the US is giving everyone such a hard time getting in. I always thought the idea was that it was easy to get the working permit for one year in HK. Z visa? Is this the case? There has to be a better way.

I've never gotten my Visa through HK although I visit there too. I usually get it at home in Canada with no problems. Yes, turning over my passport to someone I don't know for over a week makes me a little nervous too. However, I've done it several times for one year multiple entry and there has been never any problem with its safe and prompt return.

Sorry, off the topic. I don’t know the situation in other provinces in China, but in 吉林省, where I live, you are required to upgrade your ADSL software, otherwise they say that you will lose your connection to the Internet a month, or maybe in a few months. Wow, I can’t stand it! Then, of course, I downloaded and tried to install the new version soon after I heard the news from (中国网通), but without success. And surprisingly, a person in the customer center told me that the new version ONLY supports Windows Chinese version, not foreign versions. This automatically means that I won’t be able to get Internet access later through my Windows XP (Japanese version), if what the guy at the telephone company said was right. We are NOT living in the era of the Cultural Revolution, but in the 21th century. Can you believe that? Is it just due to the incapable programmers, or is there any profound political conspiracy in China?

Yikes. I need to get a new visa this summer. Looks like it's going to be an ordeal...

Boy, I really hope this doesn't affect my current application. I am applying for a multi entry - 1 year visa. I have booked flights and hotels for May 39 to June 13 and worry that for some unforeseen reason that the trip will be cancelled or postponed. My company also uses a Visa service and I did check, they have not listed any restrictions of this kind on their web site, but I am very glad that you have brought this to light and I have forwarded your post to my boss - Just In Case.

jimkahl... May 39 to June 13? Are you on the Mayan calendar or something? Couldn't resist...

I think the rules were always there but not enforced as of late. I do not blame the Chinese government for “locking up” the country a little bit. The last thing in the world they want is a 2008 Olympics that takes the place of the 1972 debacle. Also, I think this serves as a good reminder that this is China after all.

I should probably look into this further, but does anyone know if this affects the ROC?

and if you search the web you can find even more exciting conspiracy theories :)