{"id":17653,"date":"2015-03-20T23:49:07","date_gmt":"2015-03-21T06:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/pointssummary\/?p=17653"},"modified":"2015-03-21T08:26:45","modified_gmt":"2015-03-21T15:26:45","slug":"how-to-get-a-tourist-visa-at-the-chinese-consulate-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/pointssummary\/2015\/03\/20\/how-to-get-a-tourist-visa-at-the-chinese-consulate-in-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Tourist Visa at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m headed to Beijing, China next month thanks to the recent $466.50 American Airlines business class mistake fare<\/a>. The only problem was that I didn’t have a Chinese Visa and it’s mandatory for United States Citizens.<\/p>\n

Two years ago I was granted a 12 month multiple entry Business F Visa from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles for $140. I had an amazing time in Shanghai<\/a> and wrote a whole trip report<\/a> about it back in 2013.<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate12\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Just recently, the Chinese Consulate<\/a> started issuing 10 year multiple entry visas for tourists instead of the usual 1 year multiple entry visa. The cost is $140 which is fantastic because it will last for ten years. This time around, I had to go through the whole application process again for a tourist L visa. Here’s a guide on How to Get a Tourist Visa at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Step 1.<\/strong> Fill out the Chinese visa application form<\/a> in all capital letters. Any blank spaces will need to be written as N\/A.<\/p>\n

Step 2.<\/strong> Print out the completed visa application. (Make sure you double and triple check your application!)<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate8\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 3.<\/strong> Affix one passport photo to the front of the page and make sure you sign and date the form on the last page.<\/p>\n

Step 4.<\/strong> Print out your confirmed round-trip airfare itinerary.<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate10\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 5.<\/strong> Go to the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles<\/a> (500 Shatto Pl., Los Angeles, CA) with your printed and signed visa application with 1 passport photo affixed to the front page AND a printed copy of your flight itinerary. Also, don’t forget to bring your passport and check the hours on this website (usually M-F 9am-2pm).<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate11\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 6.<\/strong> Once you’re at the 500 building of Shatto Pl, take the elevator to the 3rd floor. I recommend going at 8:45am before opening at 9am. Don’t be surprised by the long line because it will go by very quick once the doors open.<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate1\"<\/a> \"chineseconsulate2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 7.<\/strong> Go through the metal detector and the security guard will ask, \u201cWhat’s your purpose of visit?\u201d Respond with “Visa application” and he will give you a number which will be called on the screen.<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate3\"<\/a> \"chineseconsulate4\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 8.<\/strong> Once you’re called up to the window, the Chinese Consulate employee will go over your passport to see if it’s valid for 6 months after your travel date and a full blank page. If everything is well, you will be given a pick update and time which is usually 4 business days.<\/p>\n

\"chineseconsulate7\"<\/a> \"chineseconsulate5\"<\/a> \"chineseconsulate6\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I strongly recommend that you double and triple check your visa application because the Chinese Consular is picky about erroneous applications. If you make a mistake, they will not accept white out or crossed out pen marks. They will reject your application and make you fill out a new form. There’s a place next door which will sell you a form for $3 so it’s a costly mistake. If you forget your passport photo or if your passport photo doesn\u2019t adhere to their guidelines, your application will be rejected. There’s also a place next door that will sell you passport photos for $10.<\/p>\n

I got to the Chinese Consular visa office at 8:45am this morning and the line was ridiculous before 9am opening, but I was still able to get a ticket at 9:02am where I waited for 28 minutes before I was called. I was out by 9:30am which went by pretty quick. Here’s a video of my experience getting a Chinese tourist visa at the Consular office in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n