Is it possible to request a visa that starts the day before travel. as oppsed to date of issue?

Generally speaking, applicants are advised to apply for a China visa one month before the intended departure to China. If you apply visa too late, you can't get the visa in time, or you have to pay extra fee for express service or rush service. It generaly takes 4 working days for processing including the submission date, if you want to get the visa the day before travel, you have to make a well arrangement for the date of submission, 4 working days before the date of travel.

If you submit visa application now, it takes 4 working days for processing, the issue date on the visa is 3 working days later than the application date. The visa officer will write the intended date of travel for the issue date on the visa.