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.
First up Hong Kong sits nicely on the border with China and so it's a perfect place to sort out your visa. There are a few immigration points between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and I've been to a few of them.
There are literally hundreds of places in Hong Kong to get a China Visa and as far as I can tell, being in Hong Kong is by far and away the easiest and best way to get your visa for China, outside your home country, which as global nomads we are scarcely in.
When you walk round Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong at lower parts of Nathan Road you will almost be guaranteed to have someone ask if you want a China Visa - these guys can get you one quite easily. But they will charge more and check it's legitimate first up. If you find an agency you can sort it all out yourself through them a lot easier than a guy on the street or the actual embassy.
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).
They have a lot of branches but believe me just turn up in Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok and wander round the streets and you will see a place doing China Visas.
It's a simple and easy process to get a China visa in Hong Kong.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. A completed Application Form, the key points are:
- They will ask for entrance point - always put Shenzhen as that way they know you are crossing the border on foot - which you will do if you go HK - China. I've always put Shenzhen. Thousands of tourists and business travellers pass the Hong Kong to Shenzhen border every day.
- your intended date of travel - just write any future date unless you have a flight/train booked - they put a date on the visa and give you 3 months to enter from that date.
- 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.
- Have you got medical insurance? Always write no, believe me!
- Type of Visa - I advise if this is your first time to get a SINGLE ENTRY. It's no risk as there is a slight chance that they may not give you a DOUBLE ENTRY straight away. Once you have your single or double entries, next up apply for a multiple entry (I'm lucky at present that I have a valid HK ID card so a multiple entry is no problem)
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. Hand the application in yourself.
You also have the option of collecting it in a rush in ONE working day (for an extra cost), 2-3 working days (extra cost) or just what I do - regular 4 - 7 working days (the normal price).
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
A separate post will detail the border itself - not too tricky
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny Blair
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.
First up Hong Kong sits nicely on the border with China and so it's a perfect place to sort out your visa. There are a few immigration points between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and I've been to a few of them.
There are literally hundreds of places in Hong Kong to get a China Visa and as far as I can tell, being in Hong Kong is by far and away the easiest and best way to get your visa for China, outside your home country, which as global nomads we are scarcely in.
When you walk round Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong at lower parts of Nathan Road you will almost be guaranteed to have someone ask if you want a China Visa - these guys can get you one quite easily. But they will charge more and check it's legitimate first up. If you find an agency you can sort it all out yourself through them a lot easier than a guy on the street or the actual embassy.
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).
They have a lot of branches but believe me just turn up in Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok and wander round the streets and you will see a place doing China Visas.
It's a simple and easy process to get a China visa in Hong Kong.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. A completed Application Form, the key points are:
- They will ask for entrance point - always put Shenzhen as that way they know you are crossing the border on foot - which you will do if you go HK - China. I've always put Shenzhen. Thousands of tourists and business travellers pass the Hong Kong to Shenzhen border every day.
- your intended date of travel - just write any future date unless you have a flight/train booked - they put a date on the visa and give you 3 months to enter from that date.
- 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.
- Have you got medical insurance? Always write no, believe me!
- Type of Visa - I advise if this is your first time to get a SINGLE ENTRY. It's no risk as there is a slight chance that they may not give you a DOUBLE ENTRY straight away. Once you have your single or double entries, next up apply for a multiple entry (I'm lucky at present that I have a valid HK ID card so a multiple entry is no problem)
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. Hand the application in yourself.
You also have the option of collecting it in a rush in ONE working day (for an extra cost), 2-3 working days (extra cost) or just what I do - regular 4 - 7 working days (the normal price).
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
A separate post will detail the border itself - not too tricky
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny Blair
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