URGENT: Going to China, need a visa asap

Zascar

I made a last minute decision to visit a friend in China. I leave on Tuesday going to Dubai for 5 days then on to Shanghai. Only now does he tell me I need a visa, I assumed i just get one on the way in like in Dubai.

I have no idea what to do now, can anyone advice please?

kerry4sam

Zascar wrote: »

I made a last minute decision to visit a friend in China. I leave on Tuesday going to Dubai for 5 days then on to Shanghai. Only now does he tell me I need a visa, I assumed i just get one on the way in like in Dubai.

I have no idea what to do now, can anyone advice please?

Yes it does state that on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Have you contacted them about an emergency visa? Are you near the Chinese Embassy or the Consular office?

Irish citizens require a visa to visit China. Visas must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in your country of residence before you depart. Irish citizens who need to extend or apply for a new visa whilst in China must apply through the local Public Security Bureau, the Irish Embassy in China cannot advise on visa requirements or processes.

Foreigners must register with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China; if you are staying in a hotel or hostel, they will carry out this procedure on your behalf. If you are staying with friends or family, you must register personally.

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ireland
40 Ailesbury Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4,
Ireland
Tel:00353-1-2691707 or 2601119
Fax:00353-1-2839938


Visa and Consular Section
118 Merrion Road,
Dublin 4,
Ireland
Tel:00353-1-2196651
Fax:00353-1-2196647

schemingbohemia

Perhaps check if you could get 1 in Dubai as you'll be there for 5 days.

Zascar

No answer form Visa office - its Chinese new year, the worst possible time.
This is a nightmare, I cannot believe I did not think of this

Is it an electronic visa or how does it work?

thanks for your help

Zascar

I'm near to Ballsbrigde should I go down there? What else will I need except my passport?

If I was in Dubai would they get me one considering I'm from from Dubai?

kerry4sam

Zascar wrote: »

I'm near to Ballsbrigde should I go down there? What else will I need except my passport?

If I was in Dubai would they get me one considering I'm from from Dubai?

Have you read this?

Columbia

Yeah, it's the wrong time of year to have this sort of problem unfortunately

Head down to the visa office today and see what they say, but they could well be closed today, and almost guaranteed to be closed Monday-Wednesday.

If the visa isn't happening, contact the airline and change the flight dates. Some airlines do it for free, others charge ($50-100) for it. If you tell them you're having visa problems, they may waive the fee.

Zascar

Website says closed fridays.

I think I'll have to cancel the flight and then book another one when I have got my visa. How do I find out when the office is back open again? I'll call the other numbers and see

Merkin

I'd be pretty certain it will be closed until after Chinese New Year. They're pretty efficient at the visa office in D4 but that's no good to you if they're closed. The visa will be an attachment stuck into your passport. I'd definitely advise rescheduling your flight as you won't have much chance of getting a visa around CNY unfortunately.

IsMise

Looks like they are closed until Thursday :-(

http://ie.china-embassy.org/eng/EmbassyInfo/t112829.htm

BuffyBot

Without at visa to your ultimate destination, the airline probably wouldn't even let you board the Dubai -> Shanghai flight anyway as they would be fined for doing so. Looks like putting it off may be your best bet.

Zascar

Thanks guys. Yep, closed until Thursday. The question is, if I was on their doorstep on Thursday morning with all the forms filled out, how long until I got the visa? Does anyone know if they can do it in 24 hours? Thing is if I change my flight and then I can't get the visa in time, I'm screwed.
I have until this Monday the 11th to change my flight - but if I change it and then don't get the visa in time I'm screwed.

My other alternative is to abandon the Shanghai leg and just got to Dubai but most of that will be on my own
#firstworldproblems and all that but its still dam annoying...

BuffyBot

You would still have to change your flights. If you don't board the Dubai -> Shanghai flight, the subsequent parts of your booking would cancel. Therefore, you would end up having to buy another, expensive, single ticket from Dubai back to Dublin.

Zascar

Yeah I'll have to change the flight. Emerites say I can change the flight for €100 - however considering its half the journey you'd hope they would do it free

BuffyBot

Alas, not how the airlines work!

spurious

Ring Sino-Irish travel in Donnybrook and see can they help you. They deal a lot with the Chinese embassy.

Todd Gack

spurious wrote: »

Ring Sino-Irish travel in Donnybrook and see can they help you. They deal a lot with the Chinese embassy.

The embassy is closed, nothing they could do

Zascar wrote: »

Thanks guys. Yep, closed until Thursday. The question is, if I was on their doorstep on Thursday morning with all the forms filled out, how long until I got the visa? Does anyone know if they can do it in 24 hours?

The quickest you could get it would be the next day if you pay extra for the express but that would be the next working day which is monday. They won't process the visa on the same day. You could do that and travel straight to Shanghai, just transiting in Dubai. Seems the Chinese consulate in Dubai only processes visas for UAE nationals or residents.