woo hoo

can we get a double-confirmation from somewhere?

Yes, people will circle the globe for an honest to goodness case of kidney stones. Got milk?

according to this no need for ticket itinerary or proof of accommodations.

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

Updated: 19/09/2008

Tourist Visa (L Visa) is issued to an alien who comes to China for sightseeing or visiting family members or friends.

Ⅰ.Please submit the following documents with your application:
1.Passport: Your valid passportmust have at least six (6) months of remaining validity with at least one blank visa page in it.
2.Application form: One completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
3.Photo: one photo of 2*2 square inch (black & white or color is acceptable) glued or stapled on the application form.
4.An applicant who was born in China is required to submit his /her Chinese passport, or copy of its personal information page, or last foreign passport with a Chinese visa when he/she applies for a Chinese visa with a new foreign passport. A Chinese child born in US shall provide the original and copy of his/her bith certificate for the first time of applying for a visa.

I went to the Visa office in Vancouver Canada today. I was told they have reverted back to the old regulations i.e. dont need plane tickets and hotel reservations.

Dont know of anyone who has applied yet, but the consulate website still has the old rules posted.

Not sure if there is still a 30 day limit. I am travelling with my chinese wife for a family visit and they gave me a 45 day visa.

See updated information as below , seems like things are getting better now.

With the “Olympic Period” now officially over, things in the capital are slowly starting to return to normal. Traffic is stalled on the second ring road, people are once again forgoing any semblance of a social life choosing instead to return to the warm embrace of badly dubbed bootleg DVDs and of sleepless nights in front of episode after episode of their favorite American TV series and more and more jianbing sellers, bike repairmen and slops collectors are starting to appear on the streets.

We contacted Nadine Ulrich, who maintains the super useful FXZL site, earlier today and asked her what recent reports about a loosening of restrictions for getting L visas might mean for other categories of visa.

More details here:

http://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2008/09/23/Visa-Update-Extra-Visa-Requirements-Dropped

I just received an email from a Chicago China Visa agency which I'd once consulted. They report the Chicago Chinese Consulate has now changed its visa rules back to pre-Olympic requirements, more or less. This should simplify matters for many outside China, particularly those wishing F visas--the previously unobtainable "Official Ch. Govt. Invitation Letter" will no longer be required. And F or L visas may now be multi-entry, providing one has previously visited China. The visas' duration is unmentioned, but I expect we'll soon hear.

Whether the policy's changed in Hong Kong is another question, though it seems likely, at least before long.

The text of the agency's email is below, as written.

_______________
Dear Customers,

Starting on Sept 22, 2008, after the success of Beijing Olympic Game 2008 and Beijing Paralympic Game 2008, Chinese visa policy changes back from the tight policy to the easy one.

As your passport and visa agency, Metropolitan Express would like to be the first to share the exciting news with you. Let us highlight the changes of which most our customers are interested in.

Effective on Sept 22, 2008, Chinese visa applications submitted after Sept 22nd to Chinese consulate,

1. No Air Tickets and Hotel Reservations are needed for all kinds of Chinese visas

2. For Business Visa:

No Visa Notification Form (No Chinese Government Invitation is needed to apply to a Business Visa.

However, a Chinese Invitation letter or US company letter (original) is still needed.

3. For Visiting Relatives and Friends: No relationship certificated is needed any more.

4. For Multi Entry visa: Being seized for 5 months, Multi Entry visa is available for you to choose again, however, under
the following condition:

If you have been to China with at least one visa on your passport, you can get multi entry visa. (apply to both for
tourist and business visa)

If you have never been to China, you will get single or double entry visa this time. However, you can get multi entry
easily next time.

Hey,

I've been in Beijing for a little while on my L visa. I have a job but I cannot start work until I have my F visa. My company still maintains that F visas for the banking industry are not being given out.

"I have checked with our Agency and was informed that there's no change for the visa policy now in the field of banking, insurance, finance and education industry. "

Has anyone heard of this?

Does anyone have experience of successfully getting a 12 month multi-entry L visa?

Cheers