China Travel Forum

[mongordan]

Has anyone recently applied for a Chinese visa in Kyrgyzstan? Being from The Netherlands, is an LOI still needed? If so, what is the fastest way to get one and how long will this take? How long did the actual application take you?

Thanks for your help!

[aynor]

The Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan is famously tricky, and will only supply visas to those intending to go directly from Kyrgyzstan to China, and who can present a written confirmation of booking from a Chinese state-recognised travel agency, stating that it will be picking up the applicant at the border. It's much easier to have the Chinese visa before arriving in Kyrgyzstan, but even then current regulations on the Kyrgyz side now prevent independent travel to the Torugart Pass, although anyone with a valid visa can cross the border zone independently to cross at Irkeshtam (but may not deviate for sight-seeing in the border zone). To Torugart one must use the services of a Kyrgyz travel agency, which can be expensive unless there's some flexibility with dates, and some dithering in Bishkek long enough to assemble a group. Some agencies, including British-run Celestial Mountains travel company, will assist in assembling groups. This company is also the best source of information on the latest situation, which changes frequently, and pretty free with its advice.

Crossing into China from Kazakhstan is much easier, using either direct public buses, local buses and a bit of footwork, or train, but if a visa is not already held it will need to be obtained in Almaty. This has always been relatively straightforward, but can nevertheless be unpredictable.

Hope that helps.