L-visa application from Berlin

L-visa application from Berlin
Jan 8, 2009 01:32
guest13231	HI there, My situation. 1. I'm a British/Australian citizen in Berlin, trying to apply for an L-visa to China. 2. I have flights into and out of Beijing already booked. 3. I am living here but can't easily show proof unfortunately...could get someone to sign a letter saying I live with them but that's about it at the moment...no Anmeldung etc. Is it possible to get a visa from the Chinese embassy here

Jan 8, 2009 01:32

guest13231

HI there,

My situation.

1. I'm a British/Australian citizen in Berlin, trying to apply for an L-visa to China.
2. I have flights into and out of Beijing already booked.
3. I am living here but can't easily show proof unfortunately...could get someone to sign a letter saying I live with them but that's about it at the moment...no Anmeldung etc.

Is it possible to get a visa from the Chinese embassy here

Jan 9, 2009 16:16	#1
APAULT Points: Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Status: Offline	You should be able to obtain a tourist visa by applying in any country.

Jan 12, 2009 03:00

GUEST13231

Thanks for the reply! Well I ask because a lot of info out there suggests that it is not possible if you are a tourist. As GUESTKATYA wrote on this forum...

"am a Russian citizen staying in Germany as a tourist.... I planned to get my tourist visa in Berlin, but found out that the Chinese embassy won't handle a non-resident's application..."

Remember: this is Germany, where you need one form to get another form to get another form. :)

Other forums (http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/index.php/t19734.html) have indicated that even for EU citizens, you need forms showing that you are permitted to reside. I am not sure where to find the latest rules - maybe this has changed after the Olympics.

Well for those of you that are interested, here's how it went...

When I originally called the embassy to ask about getting a tourist visa the conversation went along the lines of:

Me: I'm interested in getting a tourist visa to China
Her: Are you living in Germany?
Me: Yes, but I'm a British citizen.
Her: You should have applied for your visa in the UK...pause...you can come into the embassy between 9-12 to apply etc etc

This seemed consistent with what I'd read concerning tourist visas - that the embassy (in Berlin anyway) is reluctant to give out visas to non-residents.

Luckily I was able to get an Anmeldung (residence permit) quickly from my local town hall, and when I went into the embassy, I handed over my passport (British) and was then promptly asked if I had my proof of residence.

I paid extra (30 Euros) for same day processing so that I could get it over and done with (and also so I wouldn't have to take any more time off work to collect it the folowing week). I arrived at 11am and it wasn't too busy. Waited a couple minutes to be served , a couple minutes to hand all the forms over, then another 45 minutes before being handed the visa. Stress over!

Hint: have the forms ready and filled out when you arrive!

Not saying it's impossible if you're not a resident/permitted to reside. Just an FYI for anyone out there.

btw: for some reason the first time I posted this topic it didn't come up for several days. Thus the double post.

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