Job Discussion Forums

siberiantiger · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 24

I don't know much about the Chinese visa process but am hoping someone can give me some insight.

My friend applied for her Z visa through a travel consultant. She couriered the package with all her documents to them in Ottawa, Canada for processing at the Chinese Embassy and now she's getting ready to purchase her plane ticket. I think she should wait until she actually gets her visa because:

1. I think she sent her package to the wrong Embassy/Consulate. (The Consulate in Toronto handles visa applications for Ontario residents while Ottawa handles residents of Ottawa and the eastern provinces.)

and

2. She didn't include a medical with her application.

She tried calling the travel consultant on Thursday but they were closed for the Chinese New Year. And the Embassy never seems to answer calls.

Does anyone have any experience sending a visa application to the wrong Embassy/Consulate? (Or does it really matter if using a travel consultant?)

She's planning to fly to China on Feb. 22. What are the chances she'll get her visa without the medical form?

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

RE: medical forms, every consulate/embassy is different, that is the fun of the whole thing. Some consulates don't require it others wont lift a finger with out it. If anyone can get it done with out the forms and in the wrong place, its a "travel consultant".

The Embassy/ Consulate will never pick up the phone or answer an email. Ever.

siberiantiger · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 24

Okay, good to know. Thanks so much for the response!

flyingscotsman · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 339 Location: Suzhou, China

Understand that it's a Chinese holiday and no one does anything now. Make sure your friend can change her ticket if need be. Rules in China and about China, umm, change often, without notice, and seemingly without reason so the outcome is like playing with one of those Magic Eightballs - 10 people have the same situation and the outcomes differ. No reasons given. It's like religion - science can't prove it or duplicate the results.

siberiantiger · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 24

Thanks for the advice, flyingscotsman!

siberiantiger · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 24

Just wanted to update in case anyone ever finds themselves in similar circumstances. The travel consultant called my friend today to say she did need to get a medical and send it to them before they could get her visa. It didn't matter that she sent her application to Ottawa (the wrong embassy/consulate), though.