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.
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...
If you're getting a China Visa for the first time, go for a Single Entry Visa. That's what most travellers do, then later on when you realise you love China, you can get a double entry or a multiple entry visa. Where should you get the visa? I work on a budget but I also use agencies sometimes to cut out complications and save time. Try the China Travel Service in Hong Kong which has branches in various parts of the country. They also open on Saturdays and Sundays which can be extremely helpful.
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.
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. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A 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.
- 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.
- hotel or hostel you are staying in - again just write a hotel you know even if you have yet to book it. If they do ask for one, then you need to book one and show them but they have never asked me.
- Do you have Medical Insurance? Just write 'No' in the box. Trust me!
- 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. Attend in person to hand in the form and voila!!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
A separate post will detail the border itself - not too tricky
Enjoy China! Don't Stop Living!
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.
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...
If you're getting a China Visa for the first time, go for a Single Entry Visa. That's what most travellers do, then later on when you realise you love China, you can get a double entry or a multiple entry visa. Where should you get the visa? I work on a budget but I also use agencies sometimes to cut out complications and save time. Try the China Travel Service in Hong Kong which has branches in various parts of the country. They also open on Saturdays and Sundays which can be extremely helpful.
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.
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. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A 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.
- 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.
- hotel or hostel you are staying in - again just write a hotel you know even if you have yet to book it. If they do ask for one, then you need to book one and show them but they have never asked me.
- Do you have Medical Insurance? Just write 'No' in the box. Trust me!
- 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. Attend in person to hand in the form and voila!!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
A separate post will detail the border itself - not too tricky
Enjoy China! Don't Stop Living!
Jonny Blair
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