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Shanghai Diaries - May 07


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While a lot is happening over here (Tibet talks, HMFD outbreak is rising, et al), the only thing is, once again, another new visa restriction, which will end up forcing a good number of the foreign population here our of their homes...
aricsqueen

12 responses // Shanghai Diaries - May 07

  • Here's hoping you get your visa!
    mutantjedi
  • thanks for that - I appreciate it.

    it's gone from annoying to frightening in a matter of a few weeks.

    will keep ya posted.
    aricsqueen
  • Keep persistant! Take the Chinese approach! I´m sure you get your Visa (make a copy of it and frame it.It´ll make a nice deco for sure ^_^ )
    excuter
  • Wish the best of luck to you Aric, coincidently I am applying and hopefully will be receiving my Z-Visa (US Passport) on thursday (tomm. May 8th) here in NYC. I agree there are alot of new documents that are needed prior to this fiasco with applying for visas. It feels like i'm on a journey similar to the Lord of the Rings, too bad my Visa isn't made out of gold, but I think having the ability to live/work/stay in China is definitely worth it, although it is more of a hassle, but its not out of the norm with dealing with everyday issues foreigners struggle with in China. Just another issue being thrown into the "One more thing to get hassled by" pot. Luckily having some insight on the US side of the application there seems to be a few ways to get around the requirements of what is needed for a visa.
    Hope it works out for...the both of us... :)
    Stefan_Boston
  • Sorry to post again but I posted this on an expat forums to help gather updated information on who's doing the visa process around the world. Here is what I supplied to apply for Z-Visa @ NYC Chinese Consulate last week.
    Stefan_Boston
  • Looking forward to seeing a "picture" of your Visa! I guess it isn't like Nepal..where you can just add a little something to the handshake and it all works out :)
    leahl
  • thanks for the message
    professirx
  • Great news, I just got my Visa DHL'd to me about an hour ago, luckily my father was at home to sign it off. Estimated time with all the documents and then some I supplied when applying @ NYC, about 3-4 business days. It's a Z-Visa, 1 entry, 1yr, Shanghai, here I come...again :)
    Stefan_Boston
  • Lucky, lucky boy - how much 'ma fan' (headache) went into applying there? Some serious stuff has gone down here over the past few days concerning visas, so this might be good info for others.

    Bring Cool Ranch Doritos and Burt Bees lip balm!
    aricsqueen
  • I ran out of paper in the copy machine at the local UPS Store twice, it holds about 50 per load. So I made about 75'ish copies not including originals to my arsenal, I have a Fedex letter envelope (From Travel agent @ Boston), DHL letter envelope (From Consulate/Visa Agent), and a TNT letter envelope (From Shanghai Employer).

    Basically I've been driving from Maine > Boston > NYC and back. There is just alot of paperwork, it seems the more you supply them, and with originals if you can, the better, I believe I actually got my Visa in record time, the Agent and Consulate said it would take generally "7-10 working days", got mine in about 4 days.

    For US Citizens, I would recco doing it from the the US side, it is alot easier then the HK route, or trying to dabble with visa agents who could do it "legally" in SH, I even heard F Visas are scratched off for applying.

    Coming back to Shanghai in a week, and will be celebrating when I see empty seats on the plane, will try to see if I can sleep in two seats like they use to allow us back in the day. :)

    One thing im glad to say, I didn't get any papercuts making all them damn copies.
    Stefan_Boston
  • That sounds about right (paperwork) - how long was then entire process, from Step 1, I mean. Was the Maine>Boston>NYC all for the visa?

    Sounds like you've been here before?
    aricsqueen
  • It was Shanghai > Maine (2nd home) > Boston (Travel Agent+main home) > NYC (Visa Agent/Consulate), all in all, I would say the process took about 3-4 weeks, and this was including airtime from Shanghai to the US, if it was starting from the US > Shanghai (look for a job) > Back to US to apply for Z-Visa, I can only imagine how long it would take this way. Luckily I already found a job and wanted to take care of this as fast as possible, I will be coming back to Shanghai on May 20th, Total time I've been in the States, about 27days then back again. I've never done the Z-Visa before, usually its an L Visa for either 60 days or 1 yr, which use to be done in 1 day, Morning then Noon pickup, but now, theres no same-day service, and that was then. I guess its the price to pay since China is being more industrialized day by day.

    Can someone turn off the construction work please? :)
    Stefan_Boston

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