1. Q: The notice says both changes are to take effect as of May 1st, 2003. Is it the postmark date or the date when the package arrives at the Consulate and the application is accepted?
A: It is the date when the package arrives at the Consulate and the application is accepted. For example, if your package is postmarked Apr 29th and will not arrive at the Consulate until May 2nd, this visa application by mail will not be accepted.

2. Q: Is there a list of travel agencies or visa service companies certified by the Chinese Consulate to handle visa application, from which an applicant may make an easy selection.
A: No. You can submit your application through any travel agency or visa service company you trust. However, no visa application can be dropped off by courier service. Appointment is not required for visa application.

3. Q: Where can I find information on travel agency or visa service company who can help me to apply my Chinese visa?
A: The Chinese Consulate would suggest checking the Houston yellow page on line at
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypBrowse.py?csz=Houston,TX
for information on travel agency or visa service company operating in Houston. Or you may use any popular search engines, for example
www.google.com, www.yahoo.com
to search companies providing service in this area.

4. Q: We have a group of people traveling. Can we just send one of them to submit the visa applications for the whole group?
A: Yes. However, make sure that each one fills out and signs the application form himself/herself.

5. Q: Is a written authorization required to submit visa application through a friend, relative, travel agency or visa service company?
A: No. The Chinese Consulate has no such requirement. However, the application form must be filled out and signed by the applicant himself.

6. Q: After May 1st, 2003, will mail service still be available for passport extension and document authentication?
A: Yes. However, rush service will not be available for any application by mail and processing time will be 7-10 working days. The Chinese Consulate would also like to bring your attention to the point that if you have both passport extension and document authentication, they must be mailed separately with separate return envelope. Please do not put both in one envelope.

7. Q: I am a Chinese citizen applying for passport extension. However the rest of my families are US citizens and they need to apply for Chinese visas. Can I put their visa applications together with my passport extension in one envelope and sent to the Consulate by mail for processing?
A: No. When choosing mail service for passport extension or document authentication, visa applications can not be put into the envelope.

For standardizing purpose, we have decided to use the instructions and application forms designed by the Chinese Embassy. If there are any discrepancies between our past practices and those of Chinese Embassy, please follow the current Chinese Embassy instructions. However, the following special requirements of our office must still be followed:

We do not accept any Certified Mail or Registered Mail. Please use express service, for example Post Office Express Mail, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Airborne to ship your application. Please also mark APPLICATION--VISA OFFICE on the envelope. Return envelope must be the above listed express service too.