Went to London on Thursday to put my application in for a Visa to China. Although I found it all to be a bit scary at first it was quite easy. Be prepare if you are going for a lot of standing and sitting about. I arrived too early at 9.30 for a 10.30 to 11 am slot and the queues were very long. I join the queue only to be told to sit down until 10.20 am. The whole process from 10.20 am to the time I left was about two hours so take a book, snack and drink with you. Although there is a Tesco and Costa nearby. Choose to pick my passport up from the Embassy which will be ready from Tuesday onwards. Be prepared to not only have your fingerprints taken (if you are under 70) but your photo too.

Sylvie

:heart:

Hi all

Went to London on Thursday to put my application in for a Visa to China. Although I found it all to be a bit scary at first it was quite easy. Be prepare if you are going for a lot of standing and sitting about. I arrived too early at 9.30 for a 10.30 to 11 am slot and the queues were very long. I join the queue only to be told to sit down until 10.20 am. The whole process from 10.20 am to the time I left was about two hours so take a book, snack and drink with you. Although there is a Tesco and Costa nearby. Choose to pick my passport up from the Embassy which will be ready from Tuesday onwards. Be prepared to not only have your fingerprints taken (if you are under 70) but your photo too.

Sylvie

:heart:

Hello Sylvie,

Going on this holiday later in the year, so have this 'experience' to come. I first went to China (with JY) about 10 years ago and did not have all this performance great holiday. Seriously considered cancelling.

I live in the Midlands countryside, so have a rather rounabout route to London which will take at least 3 hours each way. I am sure I read that they will post to you if you leave a SAE, can anyone confirm this as I really do not want to have to come down a second time?

i can confirm they can post your passport back to you...you get the choice. I'm not too far from London and I needed my passport back quickly for another holiday in April, so it was easier for me to go back to pick it myself. You can take a SAE - make sure it is Special Delivery. Going on this holiday in May and I'm so looking forwarded to it.

Sylvie

Hi all

Went to London on Thursday to put my application in for a Visa to China. Although I found it all to be a bit scary at first it was quite easy. Be prepare if you are going for a lot of standing and sitting about. I arrived too early at 9.30 for a 10.30 to 11 am slot and the queues were very long. I join the queue only to be told to sit down until 10.20 am. The whole process from 10.20 am to the time I left was about two hours so take a book, snack and drink with you. Although there is a Tesco and Costa nearby. Choose to pick my passport up from the Embassy which will be ready from Tuesday onwards. Be prepared to not only have your fingerprints taken (if you are under 70) but your photo too.

Sylvie

:heart:

Hi all. I am on the China trip early May.I went to Manchester to sort my visa out today.I arrived early ,as  advised my JY.Maybe I was lucky as the whole thing took about fifty minutes.I can collect my passport next Monday, which I can do as Manchester is only a thirty mile drive for me. I believe they will return your passport by special delivery, which obviously incurs a cost, if thats what you want to do.My overall view is that its worth doing if you want to visit China, these are the rules so bite the bullet and get on with it, sure the rewards will outweigh some minor inconvenience. Looking forward to meeting my fellow travellers, I am flying down from Manchester on the day.  Russell Kerfoot

Hi all

Went to London on Thursday to put my application in for a Visa to China. Although I found it all to be a bit scary at first it was quite easy. Be prepare if you are going for a lot of standing and sitting about. I arrived too early at 9.30 for a 10.30 to 11 am slot and the queues were very long. I join the queue only to be told to sit down until 10.20 am. The whole process from 10.20 am to the time I left was about two hours so take a book, snack and drink with you. Although there is a Tesco and Costa nearby. Choose to pick my passport up from the Embassy which will be ready from Tuesday onwards. Be prepared to not only have your fingerprints taken (if you are under 70) but your photo too.

Sylvie

:heart:

Hi all. I am on the China trip early May.I went to Manchester to sort my visa out today.I arrived early ,as  advised my JY.Maybe I was lucky as the whole thing took about fifty minutes.I can collect my passport next Monday, which I can do as Manchester is only a thirty mile drive for me. I believe they will return your passport by special delivery, which obviously incurs a cost, if thats what you want to do.My overall view is that its worth doing if you want to visit China, these are the rules so bite the bullet and get on with it, sure the rewards will outweigh some minor inconvenience. Looking forward to meeting my fellow travellers, I am flying down from Manchester on the day.  Russell Kerfoot

Think I will feel more comfortable when I have it.   Getting excited now for the trip.

Apologies for the delay. Your visa pack was sent first class post on Friday, so hopefully you have received it this weekend or tomorrow at the latest 🙂

Many thanks,

Vickie

I too got there at 12:15 for a 13:00 appointment but they dis the first bit at the desk straight away and then just gave me a ticket for my 13:00 appointment.

I too had my Passport returned by post, they provide a 'Grey secure registered  envelope', it costs you but as you say 'Cheaper than taking the day off work and paying the return Train fare'.  People that had supplied a 'registered trackable envelope were told 'Not suitable, this is better.'  Went on Monday and passport returned on Saturday !! 

Looking forward to see people on 19th September.

Jackie 😃

If you are over 70, process is much easier as there is no need to attend to give your fingerprints. I obtained the forms from JY and then used an agent to do all the rest for me. Passport returned in just a few days.

Just returned from this trip - you are in for a great holiday. Very busy, but a great experience. If you are going on the Yangtse add-on only one of the optional excursions is worthwhile.