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Q: L visa requirements for China ?
I've had 2 visas to China before. I'm hoping to come back to China Oct 3. I'm applying for my visa now, before Sept 1. I usually drive to Ottawa and then back again, but the gas and time is too much. This time I'm using a visa service. The service phoned me to say I need a letter of invitation now. I have gone to the Embassy before with plane tickets, hotel reservations, bank statements, invitation letter and they didn't want anything other than my passport and visa application.
Do I need a letter of invitation now really?
10 years 36 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
Does Chinese Embassy in Ottawa have mail service?
Chinese Embassy in London, UK had mail service in 2009 with online set up. I sent passport, L visa form, few photos, airline ticket, and visa processing fee (around $100 US) to the London's Embassy. They returned my passport with L visa in less than 10 days.
Look at the options at Ottawa (Montreal) Chinese Embassy website.
Additional Requirements:
Tourist/Family Visit (L-Visa)
a. The invitation letter from a Chinese unit/travel agency or an individual. Otherwise, applicants need to provide the travel itinerary, air ticket and hotel reservation instead.
b. Traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR): please contact TAR Tourism Bureau (Tel: +86-891-6834313, Fax: +86-891-6834632) beforehand and provide the Tibet Entry Permit for application.
c. First-time application by children of Chinese descent born outside China: birth certificate with parents' names, valid foreign passport or Canadian Permanent Resident Card or landing paper of one of the parents (both in the originals and photocopies).
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/canada/visa-application-requirem...
Dude, coming back during the National Holiday, one of the "golden weeks" for Chinese travel? Glutton for punishment?
And yeah, you need a letter now. I don't think it needs to be anything special. You can ask the hotel you have reservations with to send you one. Or maybe ask your girlfriend? Whoever writes the invitation will need to include a photocopy of their Chinese ID card.
TedDBayer:
Forget asking the GF, I'm starting to think she isn't that bright. Besides I'll get- I'll ask my friend and she won't get it done. I'll ask somebody else.
Hi Ted,
I recently got a tourist visa from within China, about two months ago. It was before July 1st so I am not sure what has changed. I was already here on a working residence permit.
No flight booking or hotel booking was needed. I just had to show I had enough funds in my bank to cover the thirty day visa. 100 USD per day. Needs to be an official bank statement.
The invitation letter has always been a 'requirement' at least for UK citizens, but I have never been asked for it. Maybe because you are going through a visa service they are just crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's. It varies from embassy to embassy and clerk to clerk what you will get asked for.
My friend was only able to get a 2 month L visa in Hong Kong. Why waste time and money on a L visa? F or so called M visa is better.
ironman510:
Sure, That's what they all say, then if you're coming for a reason or coming for vacation then why can't you get an invitation letter? Sounds suspicious to me. FYI, the M visa will replace F visa's on September 1st.
TedDBayer:
I got a one year visa last time, no problems. I thought it would be just as easy or easier, and I don't need a job in China.
ironman510:
@Ted, thats good mate, all I'm trying to point out is the future, not last time or the past. Lets wait and see the new results of visa applicants after September 1st, like most people say we won't feel or notice the true effect of the visa changes until 6 months after September 2013. Lets hope it gets easier.
