2 November 2012
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Green Light for China
Well, they pushed it nearly to the last minute - about 36 hours before my flight's departure - but the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok finally approved my tourist visa. We leave tonight at 2:00 for Shanghai.
The irony was that after we applied, the embassy approved Tawn's visa (in a Thai passport) with no difficulty, charging him only 1500 baht (about US$ 50). My application was initially rejected because of their concerns that I could not demonstrate sufficient funds to travel. That was funny, considering I'm the one who bought our plane tickets!
After providing additional documentation, my visa was approved. The charge for me: about 9000 baht (US$ 300). The real kicker? Tawn's visa is good for up to 30 days of travel. Mine is good only for 7 days of travel. Ouch.
While in Shanghai, we will stay with Tawn's cousin and his wife. We're also looking forward to spending time with Jason and his husband. I suspect I will not have Xanga access while there, so may have to be away for the next week or so. I'll be back, though!
Comments (21)
Have a safe and pleasant journey. Its a shame for the descepency in the visas, but I am pleased to read that it did get all settled in the end.
Have a Great trip. Waiting for them pictures...:)
Have a safe trip. I can't figure out why they charged you more though... maybe you need an Asian name.
Looks like you got...shanghaied. =D
I'm sorry, that was awful. But I'm glad you got your visa and can have a nice trip with Tawn. Have fun and be safe!
I waiting for hearing of you again , I wish you a good travel in China.
iN FRIENDSHIP
MICHEL
Glad you finally got the visa but the time is strange. Maybe you are a menace to China - right - not. Enjoy the trip!
You really got a raw deal! $300 for 7 day visa?!! That's a right rip-off if I ever see one!
Hmm.. I am thinking (just a wild wild guess) that they don't want Americans there and if they must have Americans, they want to squeeze as hard as they can.
Was the problem your U.S. citizenship?
Stay safe!
Enjoy:)
That's a bit odd. Have fun in China
Sounds suspiciously like a bit of the deliberate runaround, no? If there's an appeal, or when it comes time to renew, you might want to press the issue some more. Couldn't hurt to ask the American consulate in the neighborhood for advice on the situation, and a word of support? Maybe if you play along, you'll eventually get what you want. The point could just be that they won't make it easy for you.
xanga works here...only facebook and twitter
oh and if you need our contact info, please check your xanga inbox
see you soon!
Price gouging at its finest! Hope you enjoy your visit! Take photos! (please with a cherry on top?)
I didn't realize that travel visas were so expensive???
Have fun!
Our Chinese visas were about $130 a piece and good for 30 days too... so fickle.
hahaha it's probably because you're an american... or you don't know the right people in china
Wow, I bet they never heard of Movember over there. People in China just don't trust people with mustaches like they used to.
@Wangium - Because most Chinese have a hard time growing them?
@kunhuo42 - @n_e_i_l - @Inciteful - @awoolham - @Fatcat723 - @ElusiveWords - Tawn's cousin suggested it was because the People's Congress is being held at the tail end of my visit. With me applying through Thailand, it migh have seemed like an attempt for a journalist to slip in unapproved.
@alextebow - Hard to say how much my fee was padded by the travel agency!
@secade - Mine was definitely on the high side, but the US government charges outrageous visa application fees for residents of most nations including China, so I guess turnabout is fair play.
@murisopsis - @Crystalinne - @fauquet - @Ikwa - @Got_Takoyaki - @Grannys_Place - The trip went well, just returned about 1:00 am. Now I have to sort through the many photos to process and post them. Stay tuned!
@chronic_masticator - Oh, ouch... I should have seen that pun coming! =)
@MarmitePeriod - It does seem a bit steep, no?
I for one am glad to hear that you are home safely, Thank you for letting us know, and I look forward to upcoming photo shares.
Comments are closed.