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What should I do if my tourist visa application in Shanghai is stuck during the lockdown?

Thailand Visa Tourist Visa Thai Consulate Visa Application Issues Expat Advice COVID-19 Lockdown Effects

May 24, 2022

2 years ago

Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, I'm applying for my 60-day TR from Shanghai, and my application seems to be "stuck" after I sent them the extra documents they requested. It's been several weeks, they aren't responding to emails or answering phones. Does anyone know if the consulate up here is just closed? That seems weird, since everything is done online, but I'm getting pretty frustrated. Everything up here the last couple months has been crazy, I just need one thing to work out. I know I can arrive and be granted a visa exemption on my American passport, but I'll need to convert to my B-visa at some point in the near future anyway, so I'm trying to avoid this if at all possible.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is experiencing delays with their 60-day TR visa application in Shanghai and is frustrated by a lack of communication from the consulate. Comments indicate that the ongoing lockdown in Shanghai is likely affecting the consulate's operations. Participants suggest various alternatives, including applying from their home country, visiting the consulate in person when possible, and considering visa exemptions upon arrival in Thailand. There are also tips about navigating the current situation, such as using a VPN to apply for the visa online.

Luć ********

Try the Chengdu consulate

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Grant *******

Use a VPN to fool the system into thinking you are in your own country

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Brandon ************

the evisa system doesn't track your location, but they ask for your passport stamps and to show a flight to Thailand from where you're applying from.

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Brandon ************

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Paul *******

Just pack your bags and get out if u can.it is not poeeivle to even get a car to the airport in Shanghi.are you really there.

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Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes I'm really in Shanghai. Yes we're still in lockdown. Yes it's very hard to get everything to leave, but not impossible. I'm waiting another three weeks because A) I'm foolishly hopeful I can start the non-criminal check before I leave, possibly be able to get some things out of my office, and 2) one of my cats is getting over an illness, I need him healthy before we leave. I was originally booked for July 4th, so I have moved my schedule up. Nobody anticipated anything like this total shitshow.

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Stephanie ******

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Terary **********

Consider applying for a visa in the US. As you pointed out, it's all online now. If you don't need to send any documents you may be able to get your visa.

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Russell *******

Isn't Shanghai in lockdown?

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Leon ****

My father went to Thai embassy in Shanghai for a TR visa before covid time. They ask for a lot of documents, including invitation letter and inviter house paper or land paper. There is visa agent at embassy. They ask quite a bit of money for a TR visa. ¥1000rmb up. So just visa exempt plus 30 days visa extension total of 60 days at the end. BTW he holds an Australian passport.

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Jonas *************

It seems to me that the biggest worry would be to get out of China.

Once your here, you can really travel to cambodia and Singapore with minimal restrictions.

I just joined at flights between bkk and shanghai and they seem virtually noon existent.

The only drawback is that some visa matters have to be done in "your home country or pkace of residence". And once you leave china...

Anyway. Good luck!

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Gordon ********

The website states you can only do it from your home country but this is not true, I got a TR from Hong Kong in 2021. You need to bypass the system and go into the consulate and talk to them. They advised me what I needed and I had the visa the next day. I do understand your in lockdown right now but give it a try once your out. They were very helpful in HK.

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Reiwa *******

@Gordon *******

yes, you can get a TR from another country, different then yours, but not online..🤷‍♀️you have to go in person..

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Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Gordon *******

hahaha.... My job starts in July, we won't be open by then. I can't apply for the B-visa outright any longer since the mail stopped. Just making a lot of visa runs I guess.

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Gordon ********

@Stephanie *****

you can get 30+30 on visa exempt anyway, not the end of the world, beats being stuck at home

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Gordon ********

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Reiwa *******

Hi, what I’ve been told by the Indonesian consulate is that you CANNOT apply online for a tourist visa unless you are in your home country.

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Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok, thanks!! They don't state this on their website, and the "request for documentation" email doesn't say anything about this - but that at least gives me something to go on. 🙏

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Stephanie ******

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Brandon ************

You do realize that Shanghai has been under severe lockdown for weeks now? People haven't even been able to go outside to get food or groceries and have been running out of food. They definitely haven't been able to go to work. There's also no end in sight at the moment, so I'm not really sure if you're going to get your visa before you need to travel and may need to start looking for alternate options.

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Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

what, I'm shocked! I'm living here. I know the situation. The American embassy responds to emails and answers the phone remotely. Thanks for the passive aggressive non-helpful time you took out 9f your day.

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Leonard *********

@Stephanie *****

in Sydney 2 months ago, my online visa application was similarly stuck. They said don’t come to the embassy but I went anyway. They were operating normally and a couple of visits later I got the visa in my passport. Hope you’re the same. Good luck!

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Stephanie ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Leonard ********

fingers crossed!! My school has been pretty helpful and hopeful that we'll get things worked out somehow.

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Stephanie ******

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