When applying for a visa, Please keep the following critical details in mind:

Anyone who wishes to visit China, under most conditions, will need to apply for a visa.

1. When applying for a Visa, applicants are simply putting in a request for a visa to China.
2. The keyword here is “request,” although rare in occurrence, but not all request are granted or approved in a timely manner
3. All Visa applications are reviewed by a Consulate officer, the consulate officer determines any and all outcomes regarding the application. Their decision is the only decision that matters, and most of the time, their judgments are final.  The following excerpt is taken directly from the official Visa FAQ’s taken from the Chinese Embassy’s website

   1. “The consular officers will determine whether or not to grant a visa and its category, validity and permitted duration of stay. The decision is final unless there is a technical error on the visa.”

4. Generally 90% of the applications are processed and approved within the designated time frame, but applicant’s request can be returned or turned away at any time for any reason
5. Many applications are returned every day for various reasons, returned applications are not considered as “Rejected” or “Denied” Visa applications.
6. Almost all of the returned applications can be re-submitted to the visa office for processing after providing supplementary documents or additional information.
7. Most returned applications can be re-submitted without many issues, the only downside is all of prior application progress is reset and the processing time start from day 1 again after the initial submission.
8. However, there are exceptions. Some application or returned applications may take longer to process than others. These applications are normally put under “To Call” status.

“To Call” Applications

1. An uncommon occurrence during the application process is applications being put down under the “To Call” Status.
2. When an application is under the “To Call” status, there is no longer a designed pick up date or a time table for the processing time (The standard and the express application processing time no longer apply).
3. The following excerpt is taken directly from the official Visa FAQ’s taken from the Chinese Embassy’s website:

   1. “Normally it takes 4 business days to process a visa application although some applications require longer processing time. You will be notified of the estimated collection date either on your pick-up slip or by phone later.”

   2. “If no pick-up date is shown on the slip, you need to wait for a call or mail notification from the Visa Office as your application may require longer processing time.”

4. After all of the requested materials are submitted, applicants are asked to wait patiently for notification phone call for Visa approval and pick up.
5. Updates or status checks are unavailable for “To call” applications, we are only given notification after the Visa has been approved and ready for pick up.
6. We recommend applicants avoid committing to or finalizing any travel plans to China until the China visa has been approved by the embassy
7. Please Keep in mind that the Visa office work on a time table of their own, they
   process hundreds if not thousands of application every day.
8. Not all special request or “To Call” applications are processed in time for the trip, but the passport and the application can be withdrawn from the embassy anytime during the application process.