I will soon to travel to China for over a week holiday. I have sorted out my Chinese Visa (the tourist visa - L visa) from the visa center in London. I thought it would be helpful to share you my experience. The process should be straightforward if you have everything ready. Hopefully, the following Q&A is useful for you ;)
1. What should I do prior the visa application?
Book all the flights (international and domestic flights) and accommodation. If you plan to stay with your friends and family in China, it is best to get them to write you an invitation letter
2. When to apply?
I would suggest a month before the date of departing to China. Depending what type of visa that you are applying for, for example, the visitor L visa, it is only valid for 3 months from the date you received the visa.
3. What are the required documents?
I prepared the following documents for the Lvisa application. You may want to check for the latest required documents on the website. Please find the step by step guidance
here.
- Passport
- UK Visa - the Biometric Residence Permit (if you are not a British passport holder)
- Passport photo
- Itinerary
- Flight and hotel reservation printouts (if you are not flying straight from UK to China, you will have to provide the flight itinerary for the flight you take to fly out from UK and fly in back to UK. For example, I will first fly to Malaysia from UK , then fly to China from Malaysia, hence I was asked to provide the itinerary for the return flight from UK to Malaysia)
- Application form (make sure you fill the form electronically, print it out and sign it. No handwritten form is accepted)
- Terms and condition form
Please also prepare photocopies of the above documents or you will be asked to make a photocopy. The photocopy service is available in the visa center. It costs 50p per page for printing or photocopy. It is advised to have some changes or coins with you, just in case you are required to provide more documents. The photocopier in the visa center only takes coins.
4. Where is the visa center in London?
12 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU. Click
here for more information.
Nearest Tube station: Bank station (once you arrive at Bank station, take the exit 8 or 9 to Poultry, cross the road once you come out and you shall wee Old Jewry street on the right)
5. How much does the visa cost?
Here is the fees for various visas depending on your nationality. If you plan to pay by card, make sure you have the Debit Card with you. If I am not mistaken, they only take Debit Card
6. How long do I have to wait?
I opted in for normal service, which took 4 working days.
7. What is the visa application process like in the visa center?
For application
- Prior to going to the visa center, it is mandatory for you to book an appointment beforehand. You can book the appointment here.
- Arrive at the visa center 15 minutes earlier, have your documents and the appointment confirmation email ready, then proceed to the receptionist desk
- The receptionist will then do the pre-check of your documents to ensure you have everything ready, then he/she will issue you a ticket number
- Wait until your ticket number is called
- Proceed to the desk number assigned and an officer will then process all your documents. The officer may ask you a few questions pertaining to the visa application. If everything goes smoothly, he/she will take all your documents (including passport) and issue you another ticket number for the payment. If you are holding a UK visa, only a photocopy of the visa is required. They will return your UK visa. Go downstairs for the payment
- Go down stair and wait until your ticket number is called. A receipt will be issued after you have paid. The payment officer will advise when the visa will be ready for collection.
For collection
- You can normally come in at anytime on the collection day. No appointment is required.
- Go to the receptionist once you arrive. Take the ticket number and go to down stairs.
- Wait until your ticket number is called and collect the visa. I went in a weekday afternoon, it took less than 5 minutes for collection.
- The visa is normally stick in your passport. Check the passport and make sure it is your passport, and check if all details in the visa is correct.
8. What are the other facilities available in the visa center?
Photocopier, printer, water dispenser, and toilet. Not sure about Wifi.
Should you have additional questions, please feel free to drop them in the comment box below.
Good luck and have fun :)
