Are Visas easy to obtain without a specialist company

Question

Hi, My wife and I are going on an escorted tour in October via Mercury Travel.

They have recommended a company called The Travel Visa Company.

I have phoned them and they do a virtually all inclusive deal for 350 pounds.

The visa itself is 135 pounds so that is a lot of admin charges.

I was just wondering if it is relatively easy to do it myself.

I do realise that there will be a couple of visits to the embassy to take and collect my passports.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Les

Answer

Obtaining a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) from the UK is generally straightforward, and many travelers successfully apply on their own without using a specialist company. The main reason some people use visa agencies is to save time, avoid mistakes, and handle the courier or embassy visits for them, but it is certainly possible to manage it yourself.

Here’s what to consider if you want to apply independently:

Application Form: You need to complete the official visa application form online or download it from the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) website. Accuracy is crucial, especially personal details and travel itinerary.
Supporting Documents: Typically, you need:

Passport valid for at least six months with at least one blank page.
Recent passport-size photo attached to the application.
Confirmed flight and hotel bookings for your travel dates.
Travel itinerary showing the cities you’ll visit.

Submission: You must either book an appointment at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your area or submit in person during their walk-in hours. Some centers allow postal applications with pre-paid return courier service.
Collection: You or your courier picks up the passport once the visa is processed. Normal processing is about 4–5 working days; expedited service is available for extra fees.

Tips for applying yourself:

Check the CVASC website carefully for the required documents and any updates in procedures.
Have copies of all documents as backups.
If your tour operator provides a confirmation letter, include it—it can simplify your application.
Make sure your itinerary is clear and matches flight/hotel bookings.

Financially, doing it yourself saves the service fee charged by visa agencies (in your case around £215 extra). The main trade-off is time and convenience, especially if you prefer someone to handle appointments, document checks, and courier service for you.

In conclusion, yes, Chinese tourist visas are quite manageable without a specialist company, provided you follow the CVASC instructions carefully and allow enough time for processing.