About fifteen years ago, I travelled to China often to help my friend with his company. I got many tourist visas since I was only there a week each time, and China did not offer tourist visas that were over twelve months. On my first trip, I only applied for a single-entry visa so I had to get another one on my next quarterly trip.
A lot has changed since that time. Due to the rise of Xi Jinping and the recent zero-COVID theater, it is a lot harder to visit China. Also due to the trade war, it has become inconvenient for work to visit China because of politics and the threat of electronic data theft. However, my friend in Beijing keeps asking me to visit, and now a coworker mentioned he may travel to Beijing for a wedding, so I am looking into getting a tourist visa again.
In the past, I would fill out a paper form, then take it to a travel agency. They would charge $35 to drop off the application at the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles, then pick it up for you. This was totally worth it as long as you had time. Nowadays, you have to fill out a webform, plus provide additional documentation.
Round-trip air tickets and hotel orders (name and personal information of the applicant must be included);
Or invitation letters issued by a relevant entity (e.g. Travel agency) or individual inside China (Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual must be included)
This requirement is new (for me anyway). It feels like you have to commit to your trip before knowing if you will receive a visa. Why not vet the applicant first, then let them plan. It is as if China does not really want visitors. Since I will not reserve flights and hotels without a visa, my friend will need to write a letter of invitation, and use her address as my “where you stay” form info.
Life with chronic diseases 