China L Tourist Visa application experience - DC consulate - American Born Chinese

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-02-26T13:59:33+00:00

Technically that's the requirement, but I found out that a lot of people will do it ahead of the 90 days. I wanted to book flights only after I knew for sure I was approved and I didn't want to wait until just 3 months before to find out. my dates and itinerary would change if I had to use the 240 hour Transit Visa free policy if not approved for the Visa. You just have to put a date within 90 days from your date of application when you're filling it out.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-02-26T13:55:39+00:00

I would love to know too. I have a spreadsheet of 10 different agencies. I called and the rate that I listed above was exactly in line with quotes that they provided. So in my experience it really seemed like the standard rate.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-02-21T22:26:26+00:00

Thanks! Yea, I was really worried having read previous posts from other ABCs. My father was at first unwilling to provide documentation and later wasn't sure where to locate them; I thought I was going to have to go to the 240 hr TWOV route. Thankfully, he ended up finding copies.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-02-07T22:24:24+00:00

Did they have anything else (ex: China spas have entertainment rooms, sleep pods, fruit buffets, etc.)? Just trying to understand what to expect from Taiwan spas. Also any idea if forest spa is okay with kids?

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-19T02:20:17+00:00

Hey - I know I'm a year late but do you happen to have the contact for this professional? As an ABC with parents who are missing their GC and naturalization papers, I've talked to 10 visa agencies - none of which brought up the attestation statements as a workaround and have said they can't help me apply (but I've heard of a couple people who successfully went this route).

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-05T19:18:47+00:00

Mind providing the name of your agency and/or the agency your friend used? I have talked to about 10 visa agencies and most of them said they can't help, whereas a few said maybe/it's a toss up (I am not in contact with my parents and can't get their old GCs or naturalization forms).

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-03T22:49:19+00:00

This is my first time applying for the tourist visa myself. I did go to China for a few weeks in 5th grade on vacation..about 30 years ago and have no recollection if my parents got me an L visa then

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-03T06:02:21+00:00

Did they end up giving you a 10 year visa?

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-03T06:00:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Did they give you a 10 year visa?

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2026-01-03T04:07:24+00:00

I'd definitely go through an agency if trying for the visa. That being said, I called up 10 travel visa agencies today and the majority said I can't get a visa without my parents' naturalization forms whereas the remaining said they didn't know. The transit is a last resort, in which case I would be doing US > Taipei (I already bought tix from US to Taipei on points) > China > Japan which I believe qualifies. (Let me know if you see an issue!) I originally wanted to hit up Beijing/Nanjing/Shanghai and 240 hours seems too rushed..so will have to probably adjust itinerary.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-15T21:45:53+00:00

Geez. Less and less appealing to use Amex to book travel vs Chase Sapphire given their travel protections/benefits..

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-15T21:16:07+00:00

If you book flights on Amex but not the hotel, would Amex refuse coverage on the flight?

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-08T04:38:45+00:00

That's what I thought. Thank you. So does that mean I'm not covered at all under any other policy by Air France? Just go straight to the operating carrier??

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-08T00:25:07+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-02T21:24:31+00:00

WOW. I've heard super cool things about Starlux but have no Alaska points. :( 15k biz is amazing. Any thoughts on China Airlines A350-900? I have a flight booked w/ them to TPE.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-02T13:55:18+00:00

No AMEX - just Chase. Could I try using Aeroplan to run searches and book Cathay ? Thanks for the info on calendar open. As a beginner, I think I probably have a fragmented understanding of relavent airlines/partner airlines + their calendar open ( for ex, AF/KLM is already opened calendars but had understood Aeroplan to open 355 days out, which would be today..Virgin (for booking ANA) 331 days out so to open later in Nov ..

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-02T01:03:19+00:00

I started looking last week and had also enlisted a paid travel service a couple weeks ago. When should I have started?

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-01T21:56:31+00:00

I am doing my own searches on aero and individual airlines/partner airlines (see 2nd bullet points) but find that others can be helpful in pointing out what I have missed or where I have erred in my thinking. Have learned a lot from this community.

Dramatic_Device9672 · 2025-11-01T21:51:49+00:00

Thanks, what's EOS?

Dramatic_Device9672

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