For the longest time, I have wanted to visit Shanghai. Last December, I took advantage of a seat…read moresale and got my plane ticket.
I have made progressive steps to get everything in order. In January, I got my photos taken for my tourist visa. Last week, I decided to get my visa by going to Visa Center (yes, it's spelled the American way, including its site URL).
I found this place through an online search. Instead of taking time to drive downtown, pay for parking, and wait to get my visa, I drove for ten minutes to get here.
The office is located on Highway 7, on the southwest corner. Parking gets busy fast in this plaza. I learned though my experience at Mindzai that there are two parking levels underground.
I first visited this office last Tuesday. I got there at 09:44 and nabbed a decent parking spot just outside the building. I took the elevator up to the tenth floor.
I got confused as to where this office was. It is shared with another business. You simply go through the glass doors and hang a left.
It is best to print your forms and fill them out before you head over to this office, which I did. The Chinese consulate only accepts typed applications. If you don't have access to a computer, this office charges $35 to decipher your chicken-scratch handwriting and do it for you.
There are some services that you can do without. If you want updates on your application on your phone, you pay $1 for text messages. I declined. You get e-mail updates, which were often, free, and helpful. You can also check the status of your application online.
There is also a service in which your details are registered with the Chinese consulate. If you want that piece of mind, it is $16.
I got an L tourist visa for China that allows multiple entries into the country. It is good for ten years.
I got an e-mail to pick it up on Tuesday. I went back the following day and had to park underground on level P1. Parking spaces can be tight. However, my car is small, so I backed into my spot easily.
You need to bring your receipt to pick up your visa and fetch your passport. My visa was in my passport. I was pleased. Picking up your visa in-person is your cheapest option. It takes a week. If you are in a rush, there are faster options. Naturally, you pay more for them.
I recommend this service if you want to save time and aggravation heading downtown to get your tourist visa.
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