China is a must see country and I have become aware that a few travellers have found it difficult to obtain a visa, so I'm stepping in to tell you an easy way to get it - get yourself to Hong Kong. I will be heading to China again very soon and have recently had no problems getting my Chinese visas in Hong Kong. It borders China for a start!
In terms of defining a country, as far as I'm concerned Hong Kong is one. It has it's own currency, flag, visa regulations and national football team. It was also British for a while, and that ended back in 1997. These days, lots of nationalities can get to Hong Kong without a Visa. You will get a stamp on arrival at the airport. If you arrive on a UK passport you can stay for 180 days no problem! A lot of nationalities also get a 90 day entry stamp - check with your embassy.
Hong Kong is on the border with China, there are quite a few immigration checkpoints. Personally I have been to 5 of them recently. Before you go there however you need a China Visa!! Unless you are Chinese!
To get a China Visa in Hong Kong you don't need to look far! There are hundreds of Visa outlets in and around Hong Kong so seriously this city is the best place to get a Visa for the big next door neighbour!
So in Hong Kong...if you walk around Tsim Sha Tsui (particularly near the notorious Chung King Mansions on Nathan Road) people will just shout "China visa" at you and certainly they will sort you out very easily with a China Visa but most likely they will charge for the service and get you a single entry visa only. These guys that roam the streets of TST selling visas and the like are good if you need one quickly - make sure everything is valid when you're with them - office, proper forms etc. (the form on the photo below is the front page of the current real China Visa Application). But you're better to find an agency yourself, read on...
These days, I get double or multiple entry visas for China. But my first ever China Visa was a single entry, so do that for starters unless you are planning two trips. So where should I get the Visa done? Well as I mentioned there are countless agencies that do them in Hong Kong (and although it might be cheaper to go to the Embassy - DON'T). Use an agency. You'll get your Visa easily, no problem, on time and can collect even after normal closing hours. They will even help you fill in the form and if you don't have the things you need they will tell you what to do. These agencies often open all day Saturday, weekday nights and some even a half or part day Sunday. Yes, I know agencies charge a bit more and I'm a budget traveller but I also believe that "time is money" and these agencies are fast and helpful so they save you time. An agency I have used recently is China Travel Service (Hong Kong).
You'll not take long to find a branch of the China Travel Service - lots of them in Hong Kong!
The application for a China Visa is very straight forward and the process is a fast one in Hong Kong
This is what you need:
1. Room for 2 pages in your passport which should also be valid for 6 months more
2. A passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- Your entry route into China - tip is to put Shenzhen as its on the HK to China border and is busy every day.
- expected date of travel - make it up if you're not sure - you will get 3 months to enter China from the date they put on the visa.
- the name of the hotel or hostel you are staying at. If you haven't booked one, just write one you expect to stay in - they rarely check. If they ask for proof then you'll have to do as they say but for me they didn't.
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- what type of visa are you getting - most likely a single entry but if you want more just take your pick! you won't always guarantee to get your visa mind you.
4. Payment (this varies depending on nationality - a single entry can be between 350 - 500 Hong Kong Dollars (less than 40 or $50 US).
5. Go to the office and hand the visa application in yourself!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
I'll write separately about crossing the border itself - also very easy and enjoyable.
Enjoy China! Don't Stop Living!
Jonny at Don't Stop Living
In terms of defining a country, as far as I'm concerned Hong Kong is one. It has it's own currency, flag, visa regulations and national football team. It was also British for a while, and that ended back in 1997. These days, lots of nationalities can get to Hong Kong without a Visa. You will get a stamp on arrival at the airport. If you arrive on a UK passport you can stay for 180 days no problem! A lot of nationalities also get a 90 day entry stamp - check with your embassy.
Hong Kong is on the border with China, there are quite a few immigration checkpoints. Personally I have been to 5 of them recently. Before you go there however you need a China Visa!! Unless you are Chinese!
To get a China Visa in Hong Kong you don't need to look far! There are hundreds of Visa outlets in and around Hong Kong so seriously this city is the best place to get a Visa for the big next door neighbour!
So in Hong Kong...if you walk around Tsim Sha Tsui (particularly near the notorious Chung King Mansions on Nathan Road) people will just shout "China visa" at you and certainly they will sort you out very easily with a China Visa but most likely they will charge for the service and get you a single entry visa only. These guys that roam the streets of TST selling visas and the like are good if you need one quickly - make sure everything is valid when you're with them - office, proper forms etc. (the form on the photo below is the front page of the current real China Visa Application). But you're better to find an agency yourself, read on...
These days, I get double or multiple entry visas for China. But my first ever China Visa was a single entry, so do that for starters unless you are planning two trips. So where should I get the Visa done? Well as I mentioned there are countless agencies that do them in Hong Kong (and although it might be cheaper to go to the Embassy - DON'T). Use an agency. You'll get your Visa easily, no problem, on time and can collect even after normal closing hours. They will even help you fill in the form and if you don't have the things you need they will tell you what to do. These agencies often open all day Saturday, weekday nights and some even a half or part day Sunday. Yes, I know agencies charge a bit more and I'm a budget traveller but I also believe that "time is money" and these agencies are fast and helpful so they save you time. An agency I have used recently is China Travel Service (Hong Kong).
You'll not take long to find a branch of the China Travel Service - lots of them in Hong Kong!
The application for a China Visa is very straight forward and the process is a fast one in Hong Kong
This is what you need:
1. Room for 2 pages in your passport which should also be valid for 6 months more
2. A passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- Your entry route into China - tip is to put Shenzhen as its on the HK to China border and is busy every day.
- expected date of travel - make it up if you're not sure - you will get 3 months to enter China from the date they put on the visa.
- the name of the hotel or hostel you are staying at. If you haven't booked one, just write one you expect to stay in - they rarely check. If they ask for proof then you'll have to do as they say but for me they didn't.
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- what type of visa are you getting - most likely a single entry but if you want more just take your pick! you won't always guarantee to get your visa mind you.
4. Payment (this varies depending on nationality - a single entry can be between 350 - 500 Hong Kong Dollars (less than 40 or $50 US).
5. Go to the office and hand the visa application in yourself!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
I'll write separately about crossing the border itself - also very easy and enjoyable.
Enjoy China! Don't Stop Living!
Jonny at Don't Stop Living
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