Job Discussion Forums

[infinitethoughts]

Hey guys,

Anybody recently used a China Visa service that offers quality service at a reasonable price ?

Please no posts by anyone working for a Visa service.

Thanks.

(Mods. The search feature is not working.)

[Miles Smiles]

Are you looking for help with delivering documents to a Chinese consulate in your home country in order to secure a Z , or are trying to secure a visa for travel within China or what?

In the United States, Travel Document Systems has offices wherever there are many foreign consulates. Unless you live near the consulate, such a courier service is the ONLY way in which to deliver your documents and have them returned to you with a Z visa.

If you need a tourist visa, your travel agent can usually secure it for you at a lower cost.

[infinitethoughts]

Well here's the deal. Recruiter strongly suggested using a Visa Service for a F-Visa (short term work) that I'll be getting at the Embassy in S.F.

I'd LIKE to not use a Visa service.

What do you think? Do it myself or use a service.

[Javelin of Radiance]

If you've got time to kill and you're near the consulate do it yourself. If not use the visa service.

[infinitethoughts]

Sure, I'm just wondering why Recruiter strongly urged to use service ?

[Javelin of Radiance]

You'd have to ask the recruiter. In some places going through an agent is the only way you can get a visa. Definitely easier using them.

[Miles Smiles]

Some consulates just can't/won't do same-day processing, so unless you're planning to spend the night or go home after you drop off your papers, you just might be better off using a visa courier service.

From the SF Consular website:

4. Processing Time

Regular service: Visas can be obtained on the fourth business day.

Express service: Visas can be obtained on the second or third business day (approval required).

Same-day rush service: Visas can be obtained on the same day. (Visas will be granted in the afternoon of the same day if applications are made before 12:00 p.m., for which approval is required.)

I would still call a courier service to find out if the same-day service is still available from the consulate. The Chinese consulates have a bad habit of not changing the info on their websites. If the same-day or even rush service has been suspended (as it was at my D.C. consulate in 2010) it might be cheaper to use the document courier. The last time I got a z visa , the Washington Chinese consulate had suspended all express and same-day service. The Frisco consulate might be doing the same.

http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/lszj/zgqz/

E-mail: [email protected]

Good luck!

[Ariadne]

I have used China Visa Service (Houston) several times, as have 4 other members of my family. Speedy, efficient service with no problems encountered by any of us. As several folks have already pointed out, if you live nearby the time issue, hotel costs, travel costs would not apply, but if you are not close by then use a visa service.

They might be advising you to use a visa service because they do not have experience with doing these kinds of things on their own, in the same way that some people always use a travel agent instead of making their own travel arrangements.

.

[infinitethoughts]

Yeah I'll just ask Recruiter, I get the feeling they say to use a Service in order to get the paperwork right. Just read on the Consulate page if not done correctly they may completely deny the visa.