I applied for a visa to China on October 6, 2009. I returned on October 13, 2009 to pick up my visa. At the counter the lady that gave me my passport told me to check it, I checked the visa and noticed that the visa expired on January 7, 2010. On my application for the visa I was asked: 'Date of first possible entry into China' I entered the date of 10/2/10. February 10, 2010. I showed this to the lady and I was told that I made a mistake. I asked for her supervisor and she left with my passport after a long wait I asked her if it would take much longer, the lady told me to come back in four days. I returned on Friday October 16, 2009 and after a brief wait the supervisor spoke with me and again told me it was my fault. I asked her what I did wrong and she said what the first lady told me, and that was I checked 'Single entry valid for 3 months'. I explained that just below this line I entered the date of my entry into China. The supervisor told me that at the consulate they do not look at that. I asked her if they do not look at this why is it on the visa form? The supervisor told me that I should take responsibility for my actions and that if I wanted the visa entry date to be changed I would have to pay another $50 and apply again. What can I do about this????? I forgot to mention that the reason I applied so early was that I planned to be on the road traveling before entering China and I called the consulate but all I got was an answering machine, at the consulate office my application was reviewed by the clerk before it was accepted and there was no mention of the application being entered so early.