Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

So I got my invitation letter. My Chinese isn't that good. But I know that it says

one entry
good for 3 months before entry
visa good for 365 days. Don't know what visa it is though.

While I'm very happy to get an invitation letter, with my husband as an accompanying family member. It says that I have to go all the way back to the US just for the visa. Sounds strange to me. I live in Peru and am a Peruvian citizen by marriage. My husband and I will apply for the visa at the same time. He doesn't hve a US visa, so I don't know how he could go to the US for the interview at the CHinese Embassy.

So even though it says that I have to apply in the US, in there anyway that I could apply here IN Peru?

And my understanding is that I don't have to apply in the country where I'm a citizen, but in the country where I live. At least that's what I was told at the Chinese Embassy in LIma. So why in the world would they want me to go back to the US, after leaving 8 years ago, just to apply for a visa?!

I'm, just really frustrated at the moment. I have a contract, job, invite letter, but no way to get the visa.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

I'm asuming there's a Chinese embassy in Lima. Check with them first. They may be able to take care of the problem.

If not, You might be able to use an agent in the US to get the necessary visas.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I hope so, but the fact that it says in English and CHinese that I have to apply in the US makes me think that I can't do it here. Otherwise, do you thik if I sent it to my mom and she DHLed it to the Consulate in CHicago that they would give the visa? I mean, you don't have to go in person, do you? My three Chinese visas that I got abroad were all done by mail.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Nature girl,

Have a try. Sometimes, when you try, you can get things done that won't get done by handwringing. Of course, you could also lose your passport in the process, but that's another issue.

Considering the salaries involved, most candidates won't find consulting an immigration attorney practical. In some cases, it may be worthwhile.

I know one immgration attorney who has a website. He clearly tells how individuals in one country may legally immigrate to another country, with little difficulty, if they are qualified.

A good immigration attorney can be a big help.

A few years ago my school asked me to help them process immigration documents for a group going to the UK. "Get an attorney to help with this," I said. "Why? No one else does," he said. Of course, the entire batch was rejected.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Yep, I could lose it. BUt I could get another one. It's cheaper to send it than me to go there in person, pay for a flight, and miss work here.

JamesD · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 1:39 am Post subject:

Years ago I was traveling in Belgium when my paperwork was being done. I told the school this and they said the invitation letter had to say Belgium since that is where I would get the visa. So as far as my experience (many moons ago), yes, you have to apply for the visa in the country noted on the letter. If they can issue a letter that says Peru you could do it there. Your nationality doesn't matter, the letter has to go to a consulate/embassy in a specific country.

Good news is you should be able to do it by DHL like you've done before. Figure there are lots of people living in areas that make a trip to the consulate difficult so visa services do it for them. When doing it in person they don't care who turns in the paperwork as long as everything matches up (name/passport number/country of issue on the invitation letter).

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I know about nationality, though I have both. I think that the shcool just got confused. Or maybe didn't thinkt hat the CHinese embassy her ein LIma woudl get me the visa.

Can someone help with the info?

There's a date. Aug 15th (Is that the earliest entry date?)
It says 3 months. (Is that a visa good for 3 months?)
It says 1 (one entry?)
it says 360 dates (max time in CHina?)

The last part confuses me. So I have a three month visa, but I?ll be staying for 360 days, shouldn't that raise flags?

Also, my reaons for entry, should I put employment? I'm pretty sure it says my name, nationality and then there are two characters, which I think say employment. Or should I say business?

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

It should say 000 for the days, as the stay in country depends on getting the RP. I don't think this should be an issue though.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

If it says 'U.S. of A.' then it means that, and no other country. The Chinese in Lima will NOT issue you with a work visa, full stop.

I guess that the Chinese have wisened up on forged IDs of late among laowais. They seem to want you to apply in the country that granted you its passport. Perhaps they don't trust laowais residing in developing countries. In any event, it seems to be a logical directive. Remember, many a Chinese person lives abroad under a false or a new name, and foreign ID cards or passports may bear a fake name while you hide your true identity.