How to get the Portuguese tourist visa?

I'm an American in Korea trying to get a tourist visa to China. How can I do so?

• My Korean wife and I are trying to go to China for work. The work Visa is in her name, as I'm finishing my Bachelor's online. However, on the work permit, they did not include me as a spouse, and when we arrived at Incheon airport Thursday, we were turned away by China Eastern Airlines, saying that I would be sent back and fined $2000. We were then told to get my Korean spouse Visa so that I can apply for a tourist Visa in the Chinese embassy in Seoul, as they will not process any Visa application in Korean for anyone who doesn't have a Korean resident card. We went to the immigration department in Seoul, and was turned away, saying that they no longer process spouse visa changes, that I need to leave the country to do so, as I am on a tourist visa. Moreover, we can no longer go to Japan to process this, that I have to go to Chicago, my local Korean consulate to do so. This would also be where I have to go for a Chinese visa. I read on the Chinese consulate's site in Chicago that I can have my application and Passport turned in by someone I entrust with it, since I am unable to go myself. However, with the active Korean visa in my passport, I was unsure if they would process my passport in America. I emailed the consulate to ask, while I sent my Passport overnight via Fedex back to America (after making copies as proof of my legitimate stay here in Korea in case I'm questioned). However, after doing this, they repeatedly emailed me back, not answering my question, and instead saying "You must apply for your Visa in person." I was told by my wife's employer that I should be able to go to Hong Kong to apply for a Visa, but when I checked the Foreign Ministry's website in Hong Kong, they said that they will now only process applications for Hong Kong residents as of August 2008. However, my wife's employer states that others have done so within the last year. But at this point, I don't know whether she's telling us correctly or not, because everything was supposed to be already cleared for me to go on Thursday, yet I'm still in Korea. Right now, I don't know what to do. My wife's employer is holding her position for 3 weeks for us to try to get there--after that, we're screwed. Meanwhile, we don't know the proper avenue for getting this Visa taken care of, and the flight to Chicago round trip to take care of this is $3000--we don't have this kind of money. I have sent another email to the Chinese consulate in Chicago, quoting the section of their website where it states I can have another person deliver the application for me, to see what they say. If all of this holds true, what can I do? Has anyone else (that isn't a HK resident) applied in Hong Kong in the last year or so and was approved?

• Answer:

  I can't answer any of your questions about the Korean aspect. However, yes, your passport may be submitted to a Chinese Consulate or Embassy (along with the proper paperwork/photo) by anyone. It must be submitted in person . . . this doesn't mean personally by the applicant. I used to live near the San Francisco consulate and I walked in many passports and applications for family and friends who lived elsewhere in the US. Additionally, it's very common to have more than one active visa in your passport at a time. This is due to people traveling throughout the world and lining up their visas ahead of time. Good luck. (Sounds very complicated!)