First-time Chinese visa applicant needing to apply at a Chinese consulate in Canada
I'm a canadian passport holder residing in US (SF Bay area, with green card)and I'm applying for a Chinese visa (L visa). Since this is the first time of my Chinese visa application, I was told that the San Francisco Chinese consulate would not process my application and I have to submit it to a Chinese consulate in Canada, like the one in Vancouver, BC.
Does anyone know if this rule is valid, and if I have to physically travel to Canada to complete the application? can I just mail the application to the Chinese consulate in Vancouver, or can I find an local agency to apply on behalf of me?
I couldn't find instruction on the chinese consulate website.
Best Answer
When I applied for my 1st Chinese visa, I was like you a Canadian citizen residing in the US (Seattle area). I used a company to facilitate the process and to do it by mail ( http://mychinavisa.com/ ) and everything went smoothly (and the application was actually processed at the San Francisco consulate - that's what it says on my visa). There was never any mention of me having to go back to Canada. Granted, this was back in 2011, things may have changed since then, but I'd advise you to call a few visa-service companies like the one I linked to and to ask them.
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How do I apply for a Chinese visa from Canada?
APPLY IN PERSON - No third party can assist you. The Chinese Government requires all Canadians to apply in person for their visas. You will be fingerprinted and photographed at the visa application office. You must apply directly and in person at the local Chinese visa office.Can I apply for a Chinese visa right now?
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Consulates General in Guangzhou and Shenyang are offering full visa services at this time. For more information including contact information, visit our visa page. The U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai is closed until further notice due to local health control measures.Do I need appointment for Chinese visa?
Appointment is compulsory to submit your application-News. Please be kindly reminded that an on-line appointment must be booked before you come to the Chinese Visa Application Centre to submit your application. The Centre can't accept any application without an appointemnt. Express service is available from 9:00- 12:00 ...Where do I send my Chinese visa application?
Mail application should be sent to: the Visa Office of the Chinese Embassy, 2201 Wisconsin Ave, N.W. Suite 110, Washington D.C., 20007. Write down big letters "Authentication Application" on the up-right corner of your envelope, so our staff can easily sort out the mails and avoid any delaying.Breaking news ( PU letter is no longer required to apply for a Chinese Visa)
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Answer 2
This shouldn't be an issue. Just go down to the consulate and file your paperwork. Plenty of people have gotten Chinese visas outside of the country issuing their passport. See for example some recent questions here by user hippietrail, who has an Australian passport, about acquiring a Chinese visa in Vietnam and Cambodia.
They might not be willing to give you the most flexible visa you could get in Canada, but because this is your first time (and you're not one of a few certain nationalities), you'd most likely only get a 1/3 month single/double entry (probably the former in both cases) anyway.
Regarding mailing, it appears you can apply for and receive your visa by post via a Canada based consulate, without using an agent. Lucky! Most countries can't do this. You can of course use an agent if you want. However, I still recommend going to the US consulate first. The turn around will be much faster (imagine how frustrating it would be to find out you filled something out wrong and had to start over) and you won't have to pay for or risk posting your passport. If they tell you no, you're only out a few hours' time anyway.
Answer 3
Your information is wrong. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, you can definitely apply at a Chinese consulate in the U.S. You will have to show your green card when applying.
See Visa Application Guidelines from the Chinese consulate in San Francisco:
(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid or visa of stay, residence, employment or student status of the country where you are currently staying.
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