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Thread: L-visa application from Berlin

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[quote=GUEST13231,355210]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.[/quote]

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