Job Discussion Forums

robzatoichi · Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever used one of the many outside party online visa companies (i.e. http://www.passportvisaexpress.com or http://www.bestvisaservice.com/index.htm) to apply for your visa before going to China? I am very weary of these online visa companies; however, they could save me much money and time if they are legitimate businesses. I was just curious if anyone here has ever used one, and if so what kind of results they got. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

Lhorde · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Shenzhen

I can't really say if they are ligit. or not. I'm just curious to know why you don't just go to the Chinese consulate or embassy in your country if you need to come to China directly. If the agency is in your home country, they most likely have to get your visa from the embassy anyway. Which means you will pay the visa fee + a service charge from the agency. And, how would you send them your passport?

I would think twice before doing it. The first step would probably be to consult the website of the nearest Chinese diplomatic mission to find out about their costs and procedures. If you have time to go to Hong Kong, however, you can get same-day visas for much cheaper there.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Where are you Robzatiochi? And what is your purpose for visiting China? (Gawd I sound like an immigration officer) Shocked

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

I used VisaRite (based in Northern New Jersey) twice and both of the folks in their office (owner and wife) are very professional, have a huge clientelle and deliver what they say they will. I got a Z visa my first trip to China and my second trip an L visa (later converted to a Z in China in August 2006) and my new passport.

Don't ask why I used them rather than going to New York. But mainly I didn't have access to transportation or the expense of a few days stay in New York.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

I have used Travel Document Services in Washington, DC.

Unless you live in a city in which a Chinese consulate exists, your only alternative is to use a document service. Travel agencies use such services all of the time.

I recommend Travel Document Services in D.C. (if you're in that CC's jurisdiction). They're legitimate, and seem to be ahead of the information curve found on most websites, including the consulates' and Dave's ESL. It is recommended that you use a service that is in the jurisdiction of your area's consulate.

Before you send any documentation off to such a service, I recommend that you read your area's Chinese consulate's website to collect all information about obtaining your visa, then call the travel document service and verify that the information is correct. If the information which you give to the service differs from the consulate's website, they'll know that either something has changed overnight (not very likely) or that the information on the website is out of date (a more likely scenario). Either way, it'll help to allay any fears which you may have about such services.

Send EVERYTHING via FedEx.

robzatoichi · Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it. I was interested in this online visa agents because I may be taking a teaching job in Beijing in the next month or so, and I do not live near any of the consulates or the embassy itself. Thanks again!

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

As other posters have mentioned, if you don't live near an embassy or consulate you have to use a visa service. (The applications have to be hand delivered, but it doesn't have to be by the person making the application.) I've used China Visa Service Center. My husband and two of my kids have used them too, at different times and from different cities in the US. We have all been very pleased with the service.

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jeffinflorida · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:33 am Post subject:

I once used a visa service that advertised online.

they were based in Houston. It was easy, I Fedexed them my passport, the app, a check and 4 or 5 days later it came back via Fedex.

In Florida there is no Chinese Consulate and i wanted to enter via Beijing so it worked out well for me.

foreignDevil · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 580

Yes I used a visa service in Houston last summer...
http://www.visa4you.net/china-visa.html

I was flying into HK. I have a friend there and it would have been no problem staying there while sorting out a visa. But I liked the peace of mind afforded by getting a visa ahead of time. Dealing with the company was strictly professional. They responded quickly to emails, phone service was fine, and I dropped my passport in the mail and got it back at the projected time.

As others have said, depending on the country you live in and where, using a visa service can be an absolute necessity. America is a pretty big place, and there are not that many Chinese consulates. I was sort of close to New York City, but I did not feel like travelling there. It was MUCH simpler to deal with this company in Houston.

foreigndevil

mizrhino · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 2

I used flychina.com's express visa service. Everything went as planned, no complaints.