Cheapest and most convenient way to get Chinese Visa

ironlady2022

Hi All,

I live in Leeds and was wondering is Manchester the closest place I can gain a Chinese Visa? I know the 4 day service is the cheapest, does this mean I have to go twice? If so, can I leave it later than 4 days to pick up?

Thank you in advance.

apt

Can't you apply by post? The fee is higher, but it will work out cheaper unless you were planning to go twice to Manchester anyway.

ironlady2022

Sorry I forgot to mention that I can go to Manchester via National Express £4 return for each visit. So still the 4 working day fee would work out cheaper. Do I HAVE to make this second journey? And is manchester my only option?

Edit: I would have to make special trips to Manchester.

Mk14:37

Have you read the visa website?

http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/visaen/visaView.html?method=readSimple&channelId=17#Menu=ChildMenu2

http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/visaen/visaView.html?method=readNotify&notifyId=1118#Menu=ChildMenu2

You can apply by post - charge £54.

You can apply in person and collect - charge £36 + £4 journey + £4 journey = £44.

You can apply in person and have the passport mailed back to you - cost £36 + £18 mailing fee (15+vat) + £7.20 Special Delivery envelope (£6 +vat) = £61.20

So no, you don't HAVE to return to collect the passport but it will be more expensive if you don't. Applying by post is only £10 more expensive but would save you two trips to Manchester. You should decide whether your travel (and queuing) time is worth more than £10.

ironlady2022

Mk14:37 wrote: »

Have you read the visa website?

http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/visaen/visaView.html?method=readSimple&channelId=17#Menu=ChildMenu2

http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/visaen/visaView.html?method=readNotify&notifyId=1118#Menu=ChildMenu2

You can apply by post - charge £54.

You can apply in person and collect - charge £36 + £4 journey + £4 journey = £44.

You can apply in person and have the passport mailed back to you - cost £36 + £18 mailing fee (15+vat) + £7.20 Special Delivery envelope (£6 +vat) = £61.20

So no, you don't HAVE to return to collect the passport but it will be more expensive if you don't. Applying by post is only £10 more expensive but would save you two trips to Manchester. You should decide whether your travel (and queuing) time is worth more than £10.

I have read the site and think you got it wrong

Note 1 reads this: The total amount of the fees to be paid by an applicant = visa fees + application service fees.

So 4 working day service is £30+£36 = £66 +£8 travel fee = £74

Postal Service is £30+£54 = £84

ironlady2022

Or like you said one trip to apply and then postal back

£66+£18 (mailing fee) + £7.20 (special delivery) + £4 (travel fee) = £95.20

Mk14:37

mayling03 wrote: »

I have read the site and think you got it wrong

Note 1 reads this: The total amount of the fees to be paid by an applicant = visa fees + application service fees.

So 4 working day service is £30+£36 = £66 +£8 travel fee = £74

Postal Service is £30+£54 = £84

How very picky of you. OK, so you have to add the service fees to all of the calculations, but that doesn't negate my answer - no, you don't have to return, but it would cost an insignificant £10 to do the whole thing by post, and save you two journeys to Manchester.

ironlady2022

Mk14:37 wrote: »

How very picky of you. OK, so you have to add the service fees to all of the calculations, but that doesn't negate my answer - no, you don't have to return, but it would cost an insignificant £10 to do the whole thing by post, and save you two journeys to Manchester.

That's not being picky, I'm looking for an accurate answer and people reading this thread would think there was nothing else to pay on top. Also you did not state that your answer excluded the service fees.

spheric

You've forgotten the cost of getting to the Embassy from the city centre. I've been (I waited and did a same day collection: couldn't afford to take a second day to go back). Its some distance out, and not all that easy to find.

If I were you, I'd go the postal route: I know I would if I applied again.

ChocolateQueen

We went recently and the Chinese Visa Office was on Moseley Street - just off Piccadilly Gardens in the centre of Manchester. We went back a week later and the pick up was trouble free.

ironlady2022

I'm a bit confused, one sheric says it costs money to actually get there but ChocolateQueen says it is in city centre? If it is the latter, then that is fine. Also same day service is no longer available.