Hong Kong and Macau - Getting a chinese visa in HK

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen who will be getting a double entry visa for China, however my plan is leave China after the 2nd entry for HK and Macau for about a week and then re-enter China.

I assume it's quite easy to get a Chinese visa in HK, however how long does this take, and is it expensive to get quick turnaround?

We have a flight booked out of PEK, so we will need to get back into China, therefore I want to make sure we can leave first before being denied re-entry.

thanks

official prices and turnaround time if you go to the Foreign Ministry office
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/blsjfy/

If you use an agent (such as China Travel Services or any other travel agent), add 60HKD+ . Also these agents can get the visa a tiny bit faster. Even same day service is possible, at a price.

I done this a couple times for my boss so may share some idea.

The office itself is located at Wan Chai opposite to Central Plaza, quite a easy walk. the entrance is on the Ground floor and they have a metal detector.

At the office they have all you need : coin operated photo copier and instant photograph. If you submit your application in the morning and pay the expedite fee you can get it next day morning, other than that pretty standard stuff except the robbery to US citizen (the visa fee is HKD 1100 for them to boot)

Cash Only, pay at collection.

O BTW just to make sure. As a Canadian you don't need Visa to HK for sure (and as I remember not needed for HK too), so if you only "Entered" Mainland China for 2 times there's no need for additional Visa (just apply a double China Tourist Visa).

Also if you are only transiting at PEK, I think China can give you a 48 hour transit visa on arrival, give a call to China Consulate and ask, and ideally your airline as well

e.g. Canada --> PEK --> HKG --> MFM --> PEK --> Canada
This means you entered Mainland China 2 times only

e.g. Canada --> HKG --> PEK --> HKG --> MFM --> HKG --> PEK --> Canada
This still means you only entered Mainland China 2 times.

(HKG = Hong Kong
PEK = Beijing
MFM = Macau)

How much for a Brit?

Also if you are only transiting at PEK, I think China can give you a 48 hour transit visa on arrival, give a call to China Consulate and ask, and ideally your airline as well


No they do not. "Transit Without a Visa" for 48 hours only at PVG and SHA for Canadian and certain passports.

You can transit internationally @ other airports with no visa, but not for 48 hours.



The office itself is located at Wan Chai opposite to Central Plaza, quite a easy walk. the entrance is on the Ground floor and they have a metal detector.


Note that you have to allow some extra time(~30 minutes) for the line up, depending on time of the day, at the metal detector and upstairs in their office.

How much for a Brit?

funny how my link above has that information

official prices and turnaround time if you go to the Foreign Ministry office
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/blsjfy/

If you use an agent (such as China Travel Services or any other travel agent), add 60HKD+ . Also these agents can get the visa a tiny bit faster. Even same day service is possible, at a price.

thanks. Any idea how long the wait is normally?

I just applied for my Chinese visa yesterday, and the line at the Chinese consulate was at least 2 hours so I just went to a visa service and paid the $15 service charge. Well worth it IMO.

Will China accept valid visas in expired passports? I would like to get a 3 year one, but my passport expires in a year.

Will China accept valid visas in expired passports? I would like to get a 3 year one, but my passport expires in a year.

This may be a moot point as China doesn't seem to issue three year visitor visas -- at least no one I know has gotten one.

Used to be somewhat standard that foreign-born Chinese could get two years and most everyone else got maximum one year (what's a little racism among friends?).

Firstly you would need to be a HK Permanent Resident to get a 3 year visa, and secondly I think the answer is that they won't issue a visa that is longer than the expiry date of the passport. On the other hand, I have used China visas in old passports when the reason for renewing the passport was that it had run out of space for stamps.

Firstly you would need to be a HK Permanent Resident to get a 3 year visa, and secondly I think the answer is that they won't issue a visa that is longer than the expiry date of the passport. On the other hand, I have used China visas in old passports when the reason for renewing the passport was that it had run out of space for stamps.

Well, I live in Seoul, and I can only get a 1-year for about 110,000W (~800HKD), so it seems to be cheaper for me to get one the when I'm in HK next week. I was hoping for a 2/3 year one, as Seoul only issues a 1-year, but I guess it wont happen.

Also, my passport will be full as soon as they put the visa in it (only 1 page left), so I will have to renew it right after I get the new visa, so its good that China is OK with it in an old passport

Also, my passport will be full as soon as they put the visa in it (only 1 page left), so I will have to renew it right after I get the new visa, so its good that China is OK with it in an old passport

Are you sure they will even approve of your visa with only 1 page left in your passport? Why don't you just get a new passport before getting that visa?

i asked for a visa today at the airport and was told that is possible again to get a 6 month multiple business even with foreign passport.