Caravanistan

Please post your questions and reports on the Chinese embassy in Islamabad below.

We summarize all info in the China visa article.

We also have a forum thread on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, and the consulate in Lahore.

Got this via e-mail

I went to the PRC consulate in Islamabad and this is what I heard (not sure as to the veracity of the arguments) from the visa section:
1. Non-Pakistani need a long term visa for Pakistan, minimum 6 months. This duration must be mentioned on the first visa, it canNOT be accumulated by a subsequent extension (eg. 1 month + 5 months).
PLUS
2. Non-Pakistani need to have either a work or a study visa (not a tourist visa) for Pakistan.

This info is not on the website, the info there is only for Pakistani.

Btw, the consulate did not pick up the phone despite my numerous calls.
Bags, phones or electronics are not allowed into the consulate: they may be deposited at the entrance of the Diplomatic Enclave with the Shuttle Service: bags on one side for 4 PKR and phones/electronics (incl. charger cable) inside the building at counter 3. Normally you can only deposit a phone if you have a Shuttle Service (bus) ticket of 500 PKR. However, if you explain that the PRC consulate is only 5 minutes walking, they may indulge you and keep the phone for free.

To submit a visa application, you have to fill out the online form PLUS get an appointment (hour of appointment is not important, you can go from 9 to 13:30). Go early as there is a long queue and an unannounced lunch break between 12-13:00.

Another e-mail:

a month ago visa applications are no more to be submitted at the consulates since they opened a brand new China visa application centre in Islamabad.
http://pk.chineseembassy.org/eng/lsfw/va/t1660901.htm
I suspect that since nothing is mentioned about non-Pakistani, the visa centre will also (like the consulate previously) refuse to entertain applications from travellers...

Has anyone had any luck applying for a Chinese tourist visa in Islamabad as a foreign citizen? Or even in Lahore? It seems like it may be possible, but hoping for some first hand reports!