Can I apply for a Chinese visa in Bangkok while on a Thai visitor visa?

Oct 3, 2017
7 years ago
Tracy ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone .. Im new to the group. :)

I have a question about Chinese visa. I am in Thailand and on a visitor visa and from the UK. A school in China is preparing my documents for a short term visa ie letter of inviation. Is it poss to apply here in Bangkok for this type of visa ..or would I have to return to UK ? Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated .

Thanks
569
views
2
likes
13
all likes
7
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about applying for a Chinese visa while on a visitor visa in Thailand. Responses indicated that it may be possible, although opinions varied. Some commented on recent difficulties at the visa application center in Bangkok for those on a tourist visa, mentioning possible temporary restrictions due to events in China. Another suggested that applying in Chiang Mai may be easier. It was also noted that applicants may need to prove legal residence in Thailand for the visa application to be accepted, which can sometimes be satisfied with a Thai extension of stay stamp.
Henry *************
Hi Tracey. Did you manage to successfully apply for your Chinese visa here in Bkk? I am in the same boat. I went to the visa application center on Monday and they said that they are not accepting applications if you are on a TR visa 'at this time' About four people left the line to the counter. The agent in China advised that there is some kind of summit on in China until the 25th of this month and that I should try again after that day, my Thai TR visa expires 3 Nov so my time is running out.. Especially with everything going on next week..😥
Andrew *******
By the way, you can definitely also get Chinese tourist visas in Thailand while on a Thai tourist visa (or even an exemption), again at least in CM. There was a period a couple of months back where they changed the rules for a lot of SEA consulates so you could only apply if you're a resident in the country, but that seems to have reverted to normal shortly after.
Andrew *******
I think you'll need to check with the consulate and maybe the employer. You can in principle get Chinese tourist visas in Thailand (although the BK consulate has a reputation for being tough, CM is a lot easier). The guy above (I won't try and type your name to tag you, no offence!) seems to be American, and they get 10 year METVs by default so that's not a surprise. For UK citizens you can only get single- or double-entry tourist visas in Thailand (at least according to the CM consulate a month or so ago when I asked them). The 2-year METV needs to be applied for in the UK.

But that's tourist visas. For Z visas, I'm not sure. I got one in the UK several years ago, although I was living in Germany at the time, and I was told by my employer that I should specifically apply in the UK. I'm not sure whether this was stated on the invitation letter or not, but it's something that would probably be better checked with the consulate and employer. :)
เดวิด **********
I just got a Chinese visa last week.

You apply at the Chinese visa center... https://www​.visaforchina.org/BKK_EN/

There is mention on that site that you need to apply for the visa from your home country unless you can show legal residence in Thailand. My Thai extension of stay stamp was enough to satisfy that requiremet.

I asked for a SETV and was issued a 10 year METV
Julia ************
so probably no chance with tourist visa...
เดวิด **********
Yes
@Ju***
, I am on a 1 year extension of stay.
Julia ************
That is a 1-year extension I suppose?
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice