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[Xanthos]

Back during the Olympics period I remember that, even in Hong Kong, Return Flight and Hotel info was required for an L visa application.

Does anyone know if this is still the case for UK L Visa applications?

Also, my memory is a bit rusty, but I recall there was no need for a physical health exam form for a UK app for L visa. If someone could confirm this, it would be great.

I've been checking out all the info on the web, and all the processing, document requirements, and form provisions for various visas do not correlate in some cases. For example the UK Chinese Embassy site does not even acknowledge that you can send a postal application.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

[Mister Al]

[nickpellatt]

I last applied for an L in 2007....At that time I had to provide a return flight ticket. I cant imagine that has changed at all

[Mister Al]

[Kibbs]

Most airlines will not let you on the plane if you have a L tourist visa unless you have a return flight. It doesnt matter for getting the visa, you no longer have to show that to the consulate, however - the airlines are responsible to pay your way back if you go to China on a one-way leg and overstay your visa. Most airlines have cracked down and scrutinze the visas carefully before you get on the plane.

If you are departing on z visa, then it is no problem at all.

China Visa Services Update
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[nickpellatt]

Mr Al, Im from the UK. I think it was a required each time I applied for L visas. First time was mid 2006, then early 2007

[Xanthos]

Thanks for the replies.

It seems things have moved on in the past year regarding UK L visa applications, because I don't recall ever seeing the 'Chinese Visa Application Service Center' before, until recently: http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/
That's where you can make a postal visa application. All the document requirements guidelines don't say you need the Medical Check form anywhere - not even for a Z visa (which is strange), and yet they provide the form for downloading and filling in along with all the other possible forms you may want. That's why I was asking the question about the physical exam form.

I was 'caught' by the last-minute changes announced during the pre-Olympics period back in April 2008, which made my attempts to acquire a visa in Hong Kong a lot more hassle than I had experienceed a couple of years before. The requirement for hotel and return flight details seemed to have been brought in during that pre-Olympic time, and I am guessing it is no longer the case, since the Olympics are now long since finished, and there is no mention of those requirements from the mebassy/service centre.

That said, you still can never know with the Chinese visa service system, as with many things in China - details change at the last minute, are omitted accidentally, or not made very clear.

I think I'm still going to go with the no medical form, and no evidence of hotel or travel for this L visa. Of course the return flight info will be available for boarding the plane.

Thanks again.

[nickpellatt]

If you already have flights arranged, it wouldnt hurt to send copies of your flight details...just in case

[Mister Al]

Kibbs wrote: