Chinese Visa in Ulaanbaatar?

[TravellingStrom]

Hi all

Due to Chinese travel restrictions our planned transit has to be modified.

The likely route will now be to enter Mongolia, ride to UB and apply for a new Chinese visa to enter Erenhot, then transit to Laos

Has anyone successfully managed to get a visa in UB, how long did it take, cost etc>

We are 30 days away from the start and these change in plans mean many sleepless nights, so any help would be apprecitated

On the road in Suzdal, Russia
TravellingStrom

[Debz]

Hi there

We're in UB at the moment and 2 friends of ours have just applied for and been issued with Chinese visas in UB. They are entering China by train and they left this morning so I can't give you any more info than that at the moment I'm afraid - other than it is possible.

They arrive in Bejing tomorrow I think so I'll text them and ask them to look at this and pass their info on to you.

Cheers

Debz

[TravellingStrom]

Hi there and thanks for the info

If you could pass on this thread I would appreciate it, the cost and timing is the big issue but whatever info I can get will help the situation.

Just those few words you supplied will calm a few nerves

Cheers from Russia
TS

Originally Posted by Debz

Hi there

We're in UB at the moment and 2 friends of ours have just applied for and been issued with Chinese visas in UB. They are entering China by train and they left this morning so I can't give you any more info than that at the moment I'm afraid - other than it is possible.

They arrive in Bejing tomorrow I think so I'll text them and ask them to look at this and pass their info on to you.

Cheers

Debz

[Debz]

Hi again

I've spoken to another traveller (2 wheels but pedal power) at Oasis and he gave me the following info:

- He is German
- 30 day Chinese visa received
- Apply for visa Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings between 9am- 12 noon
- LOI required, one photo, fill in form while there, 4-6 pages
- Time: one week
- Price: 30 Euro
- Collect in the afternoon between 4-5pm
- I think he said you need a incoming and outgoing flight reservation (I guess this can be cancelled?)
- You need a 3 night hotel reservation

I have text Belle and Nadine and asked them to reply to this as well but I hope this helps in the meantime.

Cheers

Debz

[Ekke]

Can't be much help I'm afraid but the travel restrictions changed just as we were about to apply for the Chinese visa in Canada. At that time it became necessary to have an official invitation in order to do a tour (which is of course necessary for a private vehicle to enter). I contacted our tour operator who said that this is issued only a month before the actual tour start. So had to leave Canada prior to obtaining the visa. The tour operator said that it is no problem obtaining the visa in Ulaanbaatar. Back in Canada it was 4 business days to obtain the visa with a possibility to get express service. We're hoping it will be similar in UB.

We're in Moscow at the moment (July 27) and expect to be in UB around September 5. The tour starts on Monday, September 10, from Erlynhot. We're going to Shanghai and then taking a boat to S. Korea.

When does your tour start from Erlynhot?

[TravellingStrom]

Well, thanks for the info

We were scheduled(and paid for) a group of 7 bikers and 1 4WD to enter from Kyrgystan into Kashgar on 28th august. The new restrictions just introduced mean nobody can enter the province of Xinjiang AND then exit into a neighboring province within China.

So, we can now enter China as before on 28/09, exit into Mongolia, head to UB and try and get 2nd China visas, then leave via erenhot and head down to Laos, our original destination. A massive delay and extra distance to travel will make it hard, plus the rough roads wont help any

It is crummy, our whole lives were planned around this China entry, now we are all scattered aroud Central Asia with our heads spinning, those that know about the change, 3 people have not reponded to emails so have no inkling what is occurring!

But, we do what we can, our tour company is being a bit reticent about helping out, but I have just sent them some proposals that if they pull their finger out could mean we stick to original plan

Anyway, 5 days in UB sounds like no fun at all and will blow our time schedules out of the water, but it may be all we are left with

Cheers
TS

[Nadsicles]

Hi! It's Belle and Nads.
Everything Debz wrote is correct.
Our LOI we got from the hotel we booked for 3 nights.
You do need your ingoing and outgoing travel arrangements.
DONT GIVE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK, AS THEY DONT RETURN IT!!
To pay for the visa, they give you a reciept, which you then have to take to the GOLOMT bank and pay it there in US dollars. You then take the reciept back when you pick the passport up.
They have a rush service that is advertised but not available. Strange.
The door to get the visa is around the side through a thick steel door.
Make sure you get there early as the line can be very long with students and backpackers.
Good luck and I hope all goes well.
By the way you don't have to be stuck in UB that whole time, there is plenty to see in Mong, so take full advantage!!
Belle and Nads

[TravellingStrom]

Originally Posted by Nadsicles

Hi! It's Belle and Nads.
Everything Debz wrote is correct.
Our LOI we got from the hotel we booked for 3 nights.
You do need your ingoing and outgoing travel arrangements.
DONT GIVE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK, AS THEY DONT RETURN IT!!
To pay for the visa, they give you a reciept, which you then have to take to the GOLOMT bank and pay it there in US dollars. You then take the reciept back when you pick the passport up.
They have a rush service that is advertised but not available. Strange.
The door to get the visa is around the side through a thick steel door.
Make sure you get there early as the line can be very long with students and backpackers.
Good luck and I hope all goes well.
By the way you don't have to be stuck in UB that whole time, there is plenty to see in Mong, so take full advantage!!
Belle and Nads

Thanks for your reply, this is helpful

A couple of ? though

1. They have a rush service that is advertised but not available. Strange. -- Um, so do they have a rush service, is it worth my while to ask for it, I am confused by your statement

2. How much did you pay, was it a 60 day visa?

Cheers from Samara, Russia Federation
TS


edit ** ignore 2, I just reread the above posts cheers

[Nadsicles]

Well no harm in asking as you might get somebody helpful, but don't bank on it and dont expect any comprehensible reason if you don't get - it is Chinese officialdom at its best. It seems to be one of those annoying things specially dreamed up for travellers in a hurry.

Go into the Embassy by the side door as described, then on the table you'll find the forms. Sometimes it is a two page form ( form something 'a') but sometimes its a three page form (with something 'b' attached) You need this one for applications outside your home country. They are quite straightforward. Just make sure you have copies of everything you need plus a passport photo. The staff are not helpful and won't listen to any pleading or requests. The nearest Golomt Bank is in Sukhbataar Square, just down from the Embassy.

[TravellingStrom]

Hmm, sounds like they graduated from Border Guard school eh!

Thanks for the tips

Cheers
TS

Originally Posted by Nadsicles

Well no harm in asking as you might get somebody helpful, but don't bank on it and dont expect any comprehensible reason if you don't get - it is Chinese officialdom at its best. It seems to be one of those annoying things specially dreamed up for travellers in a hurry.

Go into the Embassy by the side door as described, then on the table you'll find the forms. Sometimes it is a two page form ( form something 'a') but sometimes its a three page form (with something 'b' attached) You need this one for applications outside your home country. They are quite straightforward. Just make sure you have copies of everything you need plus a passport photo. The staff are not helpful and won't listen to any pleading or requests. The nearest Golomt Bank is in Sukhbataar Square, just down from the Embassy.

[martheijnens]

Hi!


This thread brings some hope it is possible to pass the bureaucratic hurddle to get into China! However, I still have some questions.

1. Does the information of Debz only refers to travellers with bicycles? What about motorbikers?
2. Do I understand well that you don't need a guide?
3. Do I understand well that you don't need to travel in a group?

Thanks for answering my questions!

[Belle]

No, not quite - Debz was only talking about how to get a visa for China, not the means of transport. If you want to ride a motorbike in China, you still need a guide, and the group thing is usually to keep costs down because otherwise it is mega expensive.
Bicycles are OK though - you can do what you like there.