Getting a Chinese Visa

[nameuser13]

What visa service companies have people used to get a visa to China? The one company that came with my Viking forms is GENERATION, and it is $200 to get 2 visas. I found a link on this CC webpage to get a Chinese visa for only $19.95 per person. But the incredibly huge price difference makes me wary. It might be because I bet the price of the visa itself is not included, but I'm not sure. Since i have to send our passports to these folks, I want to make sure I am dealing with an reputable company. But I don't want to be gouged, either.

 

Any words of advice?

[cmthomas]

You are correct. I have looked at the same site and the $19.95 does NOT include the fees due to the Embassy. Several years ago I obtained China Visas for my wife and I but never used them due to the SARS epidemic. I applied for them by mail and my recollection is that the fees were about $60 per person at that time. They were processed and returned within two weeks. I do recall that they insisted at that time that the fees be paid with a U.S. Postal Money Order. Now, you may no longer obtain a visa directly from the Embassy by mail. You must appear in person or use a Visa Service. The Chinese Embassy web site indicates that the fee for a single entry visa is now $90 per person for US citizens, however one of the many visa service web sites indicates that it is $50. per person. In addition, there are shipping charges. We are not going until September but I intend to get busy on the visa exactly 90 days before departure to make sure it is done early. Since I live near Washington I may just try a personal appearance and see how it works out. However, if the $200 from Generations includes the Embassy fees it sounds pretty attractive.:D

[FredS]

http://www.zvs.com/ is one visa service, we have used Generations a couple of times, here is another one http://passportvisaexpress.com/

 

It seems most countries are not requiring that you come in person or use a visa service. We go to Brazil in April and as of 1 Jan 2005 they no longer allow mail-ins for visas. Many countries will not take cash, credit cards or checks for visas; they only take money orders or certified checks. If you live near an embassy or counsulate it probably would be better to go in person. Not too many places where this can be done.

[new_cruiser]

I've used Zierer (the zvs website) before both on business and personal travel and I've been happy with their service. Between their fee and the consulate fee, it will be about $100 a person plus the mailing cost. About half of that is the fee to the consulate.