Is there anything more stimulating than bureaucratic ideosyncracies? Watch as I apply for my Chinese visa in Hanoi:
Me: I would like to apply for the standard 3-month tourist visa. I have been to China twice before, and can present copies of my previous visas if you would like them.
Hanoi Chinese Consulate: Not necessary. Due to new orders we are not allowed to issue visas to foreigners. Please go back to America to get a visa.
Me: Um, that's not possible. Is there any way I can pay an extra fee to have my visa processed here?
HCC: No.
Arguing continued for half an hour. Not just me, but all foreigners were turned away. I was really frusterated, but finally got a bit of information from them:
HCC: You can try the Chinese consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Or go to Laos. Or Cambodia. Or Thailand. But I don't know if they'll give you one either.
Me: Great. That also makes no sense.
HCC: Sorry, we can't help you.
Later on that night, at a Hanoi travel agency:
Me: Can you get me a Chinese visa?
Travel agent: Yes.
Me: Really? They told me that no foreigners can get them in Hanoi.
Travel agent: They told you that. But we can get it. $160 for a one month visa.
Me: Woah. [Should be $130 for 3 months]
Flash forward to today, on the phone with the Chinese consulate in HCMC.
Me: Hello, I am an American citizen looking to apply for a standard 3-month tourist visa. Is this possible at your location.
HCMC Consulate: Of course. Bring it in and we'll process it very quickly.
Me: Is it possible for me to mail it to you?
HCMC: Unfortunately not. Where are you?
Me: Hanoi.
HCMC: Just go to the consulate in Hanoi.
Me: They said that they only give visas to Vietnamese residents.
HCMC: They shouldn't say that. Wait a minute. [Pause, speaking with someone else]. No, they should be able to get you a visa.
Me: Well they won't.
HCMC: OK. Fax us your information and we'll get back to you.
I plan to call them back tomorrow, but I have no idea what they can do. This would be a major headache if I have to travel top Saigon or Vientaine just to get the visa.
I'll update again tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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2 comments:
Just so you know, US embassy is like that too.... I can't renew my student visa in the US, I'll need to go back to my home/residing country......
True. The Chinese gonganju operates in reciprocal fashion, so prices and restrictions are the exact same as for Chinese applicants to the US.
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