My Passport and Visa story

I battled most of this year (2016) trying to organize visas for Russia, China, Mongolia and Tibet.
The "problem" is that I was wanting to apply for visas outside of Australia which is my current country of residence.

Russian Visa
My first opportunity to apply for a Russian visa was when I was in Romania.
Visas can only be applied for 3 months prior to arrival in many countries.
When I made inquiries from the Russian Embassy in Romania I was informed that it is impossible to get a visa other that from your country of origin.
After some investigation online I managed to find a Visa agency in Australia that could apply on my behalf to the Russian Embassy. I did not have to be physically in Australia just that my application documentation had to be submitted from Australia.
I couriered my documents to the agency and the person I was chatting with also said that I could apply for a China visa at the same time.
It was a great feeling to send off my package with both applications.
The agency had various services that you could pay for like checking all your documents, but I elected for no extras as I had fully reviewed all the requirements.
The documents arrived at the agency in Sydney a few days later and when I was told that I did not sign one of the application forms that was very frustrating as it was a silly mistake to make.
I was now in the middle of an Angloville training program in Busteni and I would have to wait a few days before I returned to Bucharest and could get to the courier again.
I was also told by the consultant in Sydney that received my package that because I was not physically in Australia that I could not apply for the Chinese visa.
The other consultant that I had been dealing with via email did not know this requirement.
I sent a new signed application to the agency but because I was no longer applying for a Chinese visa the delayed timing was still ok for my scheduled departure to Poland to another Angloville program.
It was 3 weeks before I would have my passport returned to me and know if my Russian visa application was successful.
I had proof of all the accommodation, transport and tours in Russia and China as required but still there is always the chance that I have done something wrong.
I was fortunate that for the next 3 weeks in my travel around Romania I only got stuck once with one hostel that would not accept the electronic copy of my passport on my iPad, but in that case they accepted my drivers licence as proof of identity.

Three weeks later I received my Australian passport complete with a Russian visa ...
One down ...

China Visa
Now that I had my Australian Passport I could now submit my application for a Chinese Passport to the Chinese Embassy in Bucharest Romania.
I had a lot of concerns and did not think I would be able to get a China Visa from Romania.
The China official website lists all the required documentation and included is a requirement to have "proof of residency".
I am not a resident so could not provide this documentation.
I made inquiries online to see if anyone else had applied and received a China visa other than from their country of residence (excluding Hong Kong).
The feedback from all these "experts" was that I should return to Australia and apply from there as it is almost impossible to get a China visa from anywhere other than your country of residence.
The first attempt I made in applying for the visa several weeks earlier I had arrived at 8:30 am for the 9 am opening and was confronted with a long queue.
It was initially unknown to me that there was a separate sheet of paper circulating outside listing everyone's name and the order that they arrived. Others knew and were told about this list but because I could not understand Romanian I was not fully aware what was going on.
When I tried to get into the building I was eventually told about this list and added my name to it.
At 11:30 am I was the next to enter the building but was then advised that they would not be admitting any more applications and that I would have to come back another day ... Grrr
Three hours waiting for nothing... well I did learn about the list I guess.
The second attempt at getting a visa was the day after receiving my Australian Passport complete with the new Russian Visa.
I had a window of 4 days before I was to depart to Poland.
This time I arrived at the Embassy at 7 am and was the first to arrive.
The security guard gave me a blank sheet of paper and I added my name... off to a great start.
Now just to wait outside on the steps for a couple of hours until the doors opened.
I was the first one in and when I got to the counter the guy reviewed all my documents and asked what was I doing here ?  Now I was concerned ... I said I was applying for a Chinese Visa.
He then asked where was my residency papers ... now I knew I was in trouble.
I said that I am only traveling around Romania on holiday.
He then said .. you are on a tourist visa then so I confirmed that.
He then said those magical words ... that's ok then.
My Chinese visa application had now been accepted!!
My passport with the China Visa was ready 3 days later, just in time for my departure to Poland the following day.

I now had a Russian and Chinese Visa !

Mongolian Visa I was not worried about because I could apply for that one once I reached Moscow.
Tibet visa was organized by our tour company and would be sent to our hostel in China

What a great feeling.
So many months of worry and my main concerns were now behind me.

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