| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
JeremyDay
Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Posts: 58
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 5:47 pm Post subject: Answer |
 |
|
I called TRAVEL DOCUMENT SYSTEMS... and finally I have the answer (I've called a large number of different courier services).
Apparently, the new process for the letters of invitation/confirmation letters requires a barcode up top. The barcodes are being coded for (by mistake) the Washington D.C. Embassy. The D.C. embassy doesn't want to do all of the new work (all new visa documents have been assigned to them).
Travel Document Systems will be calling me back in 30 minutes. They have a very friendly relationship with the San Francisco Consulate. As we all know, the Consulates divide the states up among them... spreading out the work.
So, the problem is both a glitch and a new process/requirement (the barcode). I'll be singing this company's praises if they end up giving me the solution. This should be a problem that many people are experiencing because many of the visa courier companies are acknowledging this issue. Travel Document Systems is the first courier service that seems to at least identified the problem and are working on a solution.
I'll keep you updated and let you guys know. Thanks for all the help and the recommendation to this particular company.
I don't know how long this problem will persist, but probably a very important bit of information for all new visa applicants. Might be worth a temporary sticky. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
rocket man
Joined: 19 Dec 2015
Posts: 110
Location: Raleigh NC USA
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:55 am Post subject: Re: Thanks for the Input |
|
|
| JeremyDay wrote: |
Thank you for the input. I'll happily zip off an email to them and see if this is something that will help them.
I'm applying through the Houston consulate in the U.S.A.
The school is in Tianjin. Further, I should add that it is a language institute. Sounds like your step might be geared towards a high school or other public school.
The last email that I received the from the school said that the Foreign Affairs Bureau said to them that the invitation confirmation letter had been uploaded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They are talking about providing some alternate evidence that it is actually on file...
I'll pass along your advice about the regional Education Department Office and adding the registration...
I wouldn't doubt this couldn't be a system glitch... I don't know. They apparently have a number of FT already working in the area and have done this many times. They seem as baffled as we are.
The new regulation or law may be just be an invention to explain something that doesn't make sense... I don't know. I'll certainly finish the story.
Thanks again for the advice. |
I'm also applying through the Houston Consulate and have run into a similar problem. They said when they scanned the bar code, there was no data associated with it. Agent I'm using said this was a first.
Emailed my school in Nanjing, he checked with PSB or whoever, apparently they have had this probem come up recently. They issued a new letter on invitation and my school is sending it to me Fed Ex Saturday delivery so I should have it then. Hoping to get my passport back by the 22nd as my flight over is the 23rd. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 7:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This is good info.
I wonder if other countries with multiple Chinese consulates are being grouped under the capital?
Canada - Ottawa
Aust - Canberra
New Zealand - Wellington?
Look forward to the update
Best
NS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JeremyDay
Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Posts: 58
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 12:10 am Post subject: Update |
|
|
Well, since other folks are hitting the same wall... I'll let you all know where I'm at:
My school's human resources manager has contacted the Houston Consulate and the issuing authority (me being lazy to look it up, I'll just call it this).
However, Travel Document Systems said they had snuck a few out of state applications through their contact at the San Francisco embassy. I just sent mine that way (to San Fran) as well... I'm hoping that I'll have an answer before next Friday.
I'll keep you guys updated. TDS is $80 and seem to have a work around... we'll see. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JeremyDay
Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Posts: 58
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:43 pm Post subject: Travel Document Systems to the Rescue |
|
|
My visa was approved in the San Francisco consulate. It's already on its way back to me.
Looks like Travel Document Systems is the way to go if you are experiencing this problem, and it only costs $80 plus shipping ($60). It was definitely worth it to me.
Thanks for all the advise, OhBudPowellWhereArtThou. Just have to suffer my pre flight jitters (always happens to me before flights). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 12:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well done!
As for the jitters we all went through that so you are far from unique - in that regard at least.
Best
NS  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 2:19 am Post subject: Re: Travel Document Systems to the Rescue |
|
|
| JeremyDay wrote: |
My visa was approved in the San Francisco consulate. It's already on its way back to me.
Just have to suffer my pre flight jitters (always happens to me before flights). |
The SF consulate took care of it? Was the Houston consulate the prescribed consulate for your jurisdiction? That's sort of how it went for me back in '03. Nobody knew anything in the Washington Consulate. I called TDS and they told me what documents to send, and I got everything fixed and returned to me in five days.
I had a feeling that TDS would get things done. They process literally hundreds of visa applications per week. The consulate knows their agents' faces and (I suspect) the consulate workers trust that they have better information than the consulate does.
One more thing: If you shop for plane ticket prices, clear your cookies every time you visit a website like Orbitz and Cheapo tickets. Each visit can increase the price, especially when you visit the same website a second time to compare or buy.
I've called direct to the airline when I couldn't get a satisfactory flight plan with short layovers from Orbitz, etc.. I've gotten better flights cheaper and with shorter layovers by calling the airline direct, especially when there was some sort of delay. It's not a sure thing, though.
Good luck. I'm glad it came to a good conclusion.
If you fly American,bring a good seat cushion and attach it to your carry-on. American Airways seats are awful. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JeremyDay
Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Posts: 58
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 5:52 am Post subject: Good Man |
|
|
Still looking out for me. I appreciate it.
I think the San Francisco success had to do with who they knew and personal relationships rather than anything else. I swear that the Houston Consulate tried to turn me away 5 times when I was turning all the paperwork in.
Yeah, Houston has jurisdiction over my state. They just wanted to be picky. Just a problem with the barcode on top I guess.
I'll keep your tips in mind about the plane tickets. I have found $600 to $625 for a one way from Little Rock to Tianjin. Looks like a pretty good price to me. I have never gone to China... but it seems good. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Good Man |
|
|
| JeremyDay wrote: |
| I have found $600 to $625 for a one way from Little Rock to Tianjin. Looks like a pretty good price to me. I have never gone to China... but it seems good. |
Not a bad deal, but does that include the fuel charges, etc? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
