Adoption and Chinese Visas

04/01/14
The process of applying for a Chinese visa from our location in Central Asia was going to be difficult. Extreme conditions and the likelihood of closed mountain passes……we took a flight from Almaty…..4000 kilometres more or less south. We are in now in Hong Kong…..the perfect place to secure our Chinese visas….apparently….there is no simpler place to organise the next leg of our planned adventure.
It was incredibly simple to make arrangements for a visa….for me!
4 working days later, returning to the visa agency, a new year of adventure…..we are in shock. In ignorance we expected if there were any difficulties in the visa process, the difficulties would apply to me….yet……I am off to China alone. Li has been denied a Chinese visa, many phone calls and emails later, Li’s mum, Jude forward copies of Li’s adoption documents…..which then proved too difficult for the visa agency ….Forever Bright….to process. Li is British, of Chinese descent having been adopted in Hong Kong…..and the Chinese do not appear to understand this.
My passport holds a nice new piece of paper allowing me 30 days.
We did not anticipate Li not being granted a visa into China. Next option…..plan B…..beer…..lots of it…..and I need to use my visa or risk difficulties in entry on my…..our….next visit…….So I am off to China……Alone! And we are very thankful to Lawrence and Helen our hosts…..putting up with the guests that never leave.