Hi.
After a brief offlist conversation with Zhujui, I think I may
have added to the confusion, rather than clarifying. So let
me see if I can summarize my remarks and maybe his.
* There are, or have been, some countries that view visa
application requirements purely as revenue
opportunities. China is not one of them -- this is a
serious process.
* One needs to pay careful attention to information and
materials requested and to schedules. And, I hope
obviously, one should to supply what is needed, when it
is required. Doing otherwise wastes your time and that
of the consular official.
* When visa applications (or applicants) somehow cause
consular officials concern, the most popular action is
not to deny them but to delay issuing them until the
relevant event has passed. That behavior is not unique
to PRC officials -- the US arguably pioneered it or at
least elevated its use to that of an art form.
* Different consulates (even within the same country and
representing the same other country) may have different
policies in practice. The ability to apply for a
particular type of visa does not imply that it will be
granted. Unless you actually know what the policies
are in practice (the better visa agencies do), it is
usually prudent to not apply for more than you actually
need, especially if you have not visited the country
before. Again, that is a general principle and has
nothing to do with the PRC in particular.
* If you don't live in a place convenient to a
Consulate, or have doubts about the process, visa
agencies ("brokers") are a good idea and perhaps a
necessity. Fees, services, and styles differ widely.
None of the above should be taken as implying that this a big
deal. It is just an administrative necessity that must be dealt
with in a timely and orderly fashion. For those for whom the
experience is new, consider it a learning opportunity.
IMO, the visa issue should not be part of the question of
whether or not to go to a meeting in China (or elsewhere)
although I hope that, when visa fees for large numbers of
attendees are non-trivial, the IAOC considers those fees as part
of their calculations of the cost of a meeting location to
attendees.
john
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