VISA for China - We are traveling to China in September, and their website is USELESS.

VISA for China - We are traveling to China in September, and their website is USELESS. How do I go about getting a Visa in Melbourne? Can I take my wifes passport to the Consulate or do I have to send them off?

Fill out the visa application form - this will give you a printed copy to hand in at the Visa service center (on St Kilda Rd)

https://www.visaforchina.org/MEL_EN/howtogetavisa/quickaccess/index.shtml

Then head to the application center and they will process it. From memory you don't need an appointment, but a 15-20min wait is typical in the mornings. If you have all the required documents the service is usually fast (10 minutes or so)

They will take the passport to put the visa sticker in, you will need to come back another day to collect it.

You should be able to do it on your wifes behalf as well, but I've only ever done it for myself.

Another option they offer is to send them your passport and application forms via the post, and enclose a self-addressed express post satchel inside it with your forms.

This is what I typically did before my APEC card, rather than mess around visiting the consulate on St Kilda Road during business hours. They usually had a fairly efficient turnaround!

If Perth is any indication of Chinese consuls around Australia, be prepared for a great example of how beauracracy really works. Have had to undergo the process a number of times, mostly doing my wife's applications, and the one this week was almost knocked back because her letter of invitation was typed in too small a font.  Take copies of everything, including  a copy of the passport unless you want to coin feed a photo copier conveniently located in the application area.