magores Posted January 8, 2008 at 08:31 AM Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 at 08:31 AM In the past, I've gone back to the States at the end of my visa to get it renewed there. And, I know many people go to HK to renew theirs there. But, next time, I'm thinking of going to Australia, Greece, or Ireland. So, my question is... Does anyone have any experience with renewing their visa in a country that isn't their home country? -I'm fully prepared to go to the Chinese Embassy in whatever country and have it processed by them. Will they look at me overly oddly if I'm an American renewing in AUS? -The Embassy will keep my passport for a couple days to be processed. What do I do about the fact that I'm walking around in another country without my passport? -It will be after the Olympics if that matters. Thanks for any insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlaing Posted January 9, 2008 at 02:22 AM Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 at 02:22 AM I have done renewal of my EU Irish passport in Switzerland as my parents live just outside Geneva and I argued that it was closer than going to Paris to get my Visa. You generally have to give a good reason, and sometimes they may make you come early before 10:30 am for same day service but it could be possible. It took some arguing and pleading to get it done. Looking like a student helped as well. Switzerland is a European country, and the Passport I was using was Irish. The US embassy sometimes has difficult criteria for visas so I am not sure if that will affect you. But I think technically what you're asking is possible. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gougou Posted January 9, 2008 at 02:41 AM Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 at 02:41 AM Also see the discussion here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob07 Posted January 9, 2008 at 06:29 AM Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 at 06:29 AM It can definitely be done in Australia. You can even see on the website of the Australian Chinese embassy a table setting out differential visa application fees depending on the nationality of the passport it is being put into. I myself have had the Chinese embassy in Australia put a visa into an Irish passport with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magores Posted January 9, 2008 at 03:08 PM Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 at 03:08 PM Cool. Thanks for the info. (I actually did search for a thread on this topic before I asked, but I didn't find the one gougou pointed to.) Thanks again, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeovisa Posted January 10, 2008 at 04:57 AM Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 at 04:57 AM Why bother to go to other countries to renew a Chinese visa? If you are outside of China mainland, you can have your Chinese visa done in an Embassy (Consulate or visa office). If you are already in China mainland, you can get a visa issued by Public Security Bureau (PSB). Normally, tourist (Category: L) visas can be extended twice, with 30 days of each time. You yourself can turn to PSB for that. If you need a longer visa, you'd better turn to a visa agent to have your L converted to a longer F (The longest one is 6-month thanks to the Olympics) or extend your F. You don't need to leave, of course. Compared with the cost of travel, the fee by an agent is less. And one more advantage, the visa issued by PSB has NO limitation of each stay. It means during 6-month's time, if you wish, you can stay without leaving China mainland. But there is another rule: F-visa holders can stay in China mainland without leaving for consecutive 1 year from the last entry date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rincewind Posted January 10, 2008 at 12:34 PM Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 at 12:34 PM -The Embassy will keep my passport for a couple days to be processed. What do I do about the fact that I'm walking around in another country without my passport? Depends on the country. Not all countries require people to carry ID. I can't comment on Australia or Ireland but in the UK, nobody has the power to demand to see ID. So in the UK you could walk around without your passport and not encounter any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magores Posted January 10, 2008 at 02:32 PM Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 at 02:32 PM leeovisa Why bother to go to other countries to renew a Chinese visa? But there is another rule: F-visa holders can stay in China mainland without leaving for consecutive 1 year from the last entry date Answered your own question. I leave the mainland once a year. In the past, I've always gone back to the US to see friends and family, and to do the visa. But this year, my parents will coming to China shortly before the end of my year. So, parents here for a week, therefore I don't need to go to the US to see them 1 month later. Friends will understand if I go to Greece/Ireland/Russia (ancestors) or AU (sun and beaches) instead of back to the US this year. Why bother? Because, as far as I understand it, I HAVE to go somewhere. Might as well go somewhere I've never been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
here2learn Posted January 12, 2008 at 10:08 AM Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 at 10:08 AM When my year was up I went to Mongolia and got a new L visa. I don't know if they give all visas there or what, but an L was no problem. Their embassy is only open MWF before 11am or something, which means you need to get online like 8:30am to get in the door for sure. The line will suddenly multiply after 9am. I took a train there; the ride itself was part of the adventure for me, though some people would go nuts. It took about a day and a half to get there. If you can wait til warmer weather you can do neat stuff like go sleep in a ger in the desert for a couple days. I've definitely heard of people going to Macau and Korea with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeovisa Posted January 22, 2008 at 09:34 AM Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 at 09:34 AM I heard someone mentioned if you went to Korea to apply for a Chinese tourist visa, you had to go through a travel agency? If with an official invitation letter, you can go directly to the Embassy to apply for an F visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lu Posted January 22, 2008 at 09:45 AM Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 at 09:45 AM -The Embassy will keep my passport for a couple days to be processed. What do I do about the fact that I'm walking around in another country without my passport? I can't say for sure, but I believe that as long as you stay out of trouble, and maybe bring a driver's licence or a good copy of your passport in case anyone needs to see your ID, you should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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