Embassy report: Chinese visa in Almaty

[steven]

Please read and post reports on the embassy of China in Almaty below.

We summarize all info on the China visa page, under embassy reports.

[bretonsuisse]

now we're in Osh in Kyrgyzstan and we Would like to know if somebody be able recently to get a Chinese visa in Bishkek or Almaty and by which way.
thanks
Fred and Brigitte

[steven]

Just got this message today:

After a pause where people would have to make a side trip to Almaty to obtain a Chinese visa people are once again getting their visas here in Bishkek. Namely via an agent named Dinara (+996770440540). Processing is 3-5 days and costs 150USD.
I personally know 2 people who obtained the visas via her.
Cheers

[KMIL]

05 August 2015 - Embassy report Almaty chinese visa :
We asked for the Chinese visa in Almaty this wednesday 5th August, with the nice and helpful Serik.
After looking quickly our forms and other papers the girl at the desk simply said "we can’t issue your visa. Come back in one month". No reason was given. We couldn’t even apply! An other tourist, Australian (ethnically Chinese) was in front of the consulate and his request was rejected too. So we don’t know what’s the problem, if it’s about Serik’s demands, about tourists’ requests…
By the way, it's the first time Serik have rejected requests.
The last accepted request through his service was last monday with a English citizen.
Serik will ask to some consulate contacts he has and keeps us in touch.
Depending on the answer he'll get, we'll try to apply again this Friday.
Fingers crossed.

[steven]

Thank you, please keep us informed.

Might be that they are getting too many applications. This is what happens it seems, the easy embassy restricts because they are getting too many cyclists, another embassy is found, everybody flocks there, they restrict, etc...

[KMIL]

We've just had the confirmation: Almaty is no longer a solution for Chinese visa!

Here is the answer we had from Serik:
"So, recently I spoke with Consul's assistant and he told that Consul can not accept documents and issue visa within 1 month as he got some instuctions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. These instructions are concerning visa issue for foreigners in Kazakhstan. He didn't tell and explain me exact instuctions but I suppose they change the procedure of visa issue.

= No more Chinese visas in Almaty and Astana... at least for one month.
Too bad, we actually left Bishkek thinking that Almaty was a greater solution...

It looks like we're going to skip China, if authorities don't want people to visit their country, good for them!

[steven]

Crazy...!

[Dakkus]

My visa application (I'm a Finnish citizen) was just accepted by the Chinese consulate in Almaty earlier today. The visa should be ready by next Wednesday.
I was told of a month-long problem at the embassy, which has now been solved.

[steven]

Great, thanks! Did you use Serik?

[Dakkus]

Yes, I am writing this in Serik's office with the passport with the Chinese visa 3 centimetres left from my left hand. Just got it a short while ago
Serik is a magnificent person and he was able to help me get the visa indeed. Now off to CHINA!