Wahed Posted May 8, 2015 at 12:39 AM Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 12:39 AM The university summer program recommends Travisa but I am not going to use them because I have been through a lot of hassle with them today regarding pretty simple questions. It seems like they only have two people working and they take forever to communicate with you. What visa company do you feel is the absolute best far better than the others? Quote
zhouhaochen Posted May 8, 2015 at 03:27 AM Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 03:27 AM We have a list of Visa agencies that were used and recommended by our students (and never received any complaints that would warrant taking them off) on http://www.livethelanguage.cn/chinese-visa-service-agencies/ We so far only had one US company recommended there and it is a chain, so I am not sure if the recommendation was for Los Angeles or another city in the US. In general, the important part is that the agency goes to the embassy very regularly, so I would alwasy recommend to look for agencies specialized in China (if they also do Russia, Vietnam etc. they probably spend less time thinking about China). Just two people in an office must not be a bad thing, a lot of these agencies deal with loads of enquiries from people who want just information, but might not sign up with them. I do not know Travisa, but maybe try to give them a call? Quote
Wahed Posted May 8, 2015 at 07:59 AM Author Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 07:59 AM That's why I do not wish to further deal with Travisa. I was able to ascertain that their customer service is lacking from the telephones calls that we had earlier today. I took a look at CVSC but it is quite expensive, I will continue to poke around to see what I can dig up. Quote
889 Posted May 8, 2015 at 09:28 AM Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 09:28 AM My approach is to pick a place very near the embassy/consulate that specialises in Chinese visas. I've had good experiences getting everything back OK, but communications could certainly have been better. I think most of these places are one- or two-man outfits staffed by people from China who find writing English emails a chore, so they avoid doing it if they can. It may not be realistic to expect too much help from these places. Quote
abcdefg Posted May 8, 2015 at 10:26 AM Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 10:26 AM MyChinaVisa in Houston is great. I've used them many times. (I see that it's on the LTL list.) One year they referred me to San Francisco because I needed rush service that they could not supply. Everything got botched up. It was a complete disaster. The individual office staff matters a lot. Also the degree of their co-operation with the consulate staff is crucial, by which I mean how well they get along as people. These agencies are not all the same. You are wise to ask around. (I have no experience with L.A.) Quote
Xiao Kui Posted May 8, 2015 at 11:35 AM Report Posted May 8, 2015 at 11:35 AM i have used www.traveldocs.com (travel document systems) for years with no problems, but I've never asked any questions. HQ is in DC but they also have an LA office. Quote
Wahed Posted May 9, 2015 at 03:36 AM Author Report Posted May 9, 2015 at 03:36 AM Ok, so it's done. I made the payment this morning and mailed everything off this afternoon. In the end, I decided to go with the MyChinaVisa in LA. One thing I am slightly worried about is the passport photo. I took the photo and rushed to Fedex before the Express service daily cutoff. But I was told that the pictures needed at least 10 minutes to completely dry. I'm not sure if 10 minutes passed before I put the photos in the envelope but I hope it did. Altogether, everything cost me just a little under $500. If China does not knock my socks off in every good way possible, then I am pretty sure that I will not be returning again ever. If I can help it I will never pay that kind of money again for a visa. Quote
abcdefg Posted May 9, 2015 at 03:45 AM Report Posted May 9, 2015 at 03:45 AM Please return and let us know your experience with that agency after it is all said and done. Quote
Qiaonansen Posted May 9, 2015 at 11:28 AM Report Posted May 9, 2015 at 11:28 AM Oasischinavisa.com rocks!! Great service! Quote
abcdefg Posted May 9, 2015 at 11:56 PM Report Posted May 9, 2015 at 11:56 PM #9 -- @Qiaonansen -- Oasischinavisa.com rocks!! Great service! Can you use a Los Angeles visa agent when you live in New Hampshire? I would not have thought so. Quote
Wahed Posted May 21, 2015 at 09:23 AM Author Report Posted May 21, 2015 at 09:23 AM Update: I received my visa with no issues at all. I just mailed off my documents and received my visa a few days later. MyChinaVisa in LA worked for me. The only thing that wasn't so stellar about MyChinaVisa in LA was the customer service rep guy that I spoke with on the phone. He answered all my questions and was helpful but he just didn't seem enthusiastic much at all. Not really an issue at all but I guess I feel like if I could rate their service I would give it a 4.9 out of 5. I would give them a 5 if the guy were a bit more cheerful. 1 Quote
abcdefg Posted May 21, 2015 at 09:32 AM Report Posted May 21, 2015 at 09:32 AM #11 -- Thanks for coming back to post your experience. Helpful. Quote
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