3 year China Visa for Expat PR

Posted by dadda (16 days ago)

Hi,

am an Australian with PR status. How to I get the 3 year China visa & cost?

Thanks for any help.

Find what you are after in our Hong Kong A-Z Directory
Need a Moving Quote? Click Here

Posted by punter (16 days ago)

You need (1) a letter from your company detailing why you need the visa. If you're just an employee and want to go to China for a visit, then you need a certification for employment detailing your work address, position, office hours, etc., (2) Your HK ID, (3) Travel Document/Passport, (4) ID Picture.

If it's your first time to apply, you may be granted 6 months multi entry first, the next time you apply 1 year, and the next time maybe 3 years.

Not sure about the price now. I thought it was 600 HKD.

Posted by smallfry (16 days ago)

You need to go complete the application (can download) and take to the PRC visa section in Wan chai with your passport, HKID and one photo.

You do not need a letter from your employer - at least I didn't.

With this documentation, adult PRs with Australian passports can get 3 year multiple entry visas, children can only get 1 year multiple entry even if PR. Both cost $600 for a routine application which takes 4 working days.

You can get express services which cost more and have aquicker turn-around time. Just check at the counter that they are giving you the 3 year visa (other options are 1 or 2 years - cost is the same)

For some reason, travel agents don't do 3 year visas. I did it myself (is easy but time consuming) because the travel agent was asking $1200 for a one year visa.

Posted by Phoenix7 (15 days ago)

I've done this a few times. You don't need a letter. I only needed one photo. Just make sure your passport has 3 years on it - mine didn't, I only had 23 months so could only get 1 year multy this time. One point though, I've had numerous multies. They may restrict to just 1 year multi and next time you may be eligible for 3 years.

Posted by dadda (15 days ago)

Thanks for all replies. Will get the form & head down to Wanchai.

Punter, I think you might be thinking of an Apex card, which I am not after

Posted by punter (15 days ago)

Please share with us your experience. Thanks.

Posted by Shoe Girl (15 days ago)

Yes, the above posts are correct, you don't need a letter from your employer. Just download the form on the internet, get a photo, fill out the form and take it down to the Wan Chai office of the China Visas on Harbour Road. I got mine about two years ago so I can't remember if I paid $600 or $800. It's much cheaper doing it this way than doing it through the China Travel Offices in HKG. And yes, definitely make sure your passport has at least 3 years on it before it expires.

Posted by Sarah99 (15 days ago)

Hi I hold a British Passport so fees are higher for me - paid about $1700 for the three year one a couple of months ago. This is my second one, first time I had a letter from my company so could fill in "business" for purpose of visit to China when applying in Wan Chai. This time I forgot to take the letter ...they still issued me the three year visa (took around 3 working days I think) but I had to delete business from purpose of visit to China and change to "tourism" purposes. Just means everytime I go up I need to remember to tick the outing/in leisure box instead of business. Not a big deal but just in case it is important to be able to tick business when entering might be worth taking a company letter with you.

Posted by cd (15 days ago)

Yeh, definately more for Brits, I just paid $900 for a dual entry 6 month visa.

Posted by jobin (14 days ago)

Anyone know the story here for USA passport holders? i too may wish to obtain a china visa for multi entries, two or three years duration. kind of visa, tourist, business, scholar, not of consequence, nor really is the cost. thanks.

Posted by sistim (12 days ago)

Seems that for most western nationalities you won't get a multi first time, you have to cough up for a single or two, then a double or two. Then you get promoted - though by then I also only had 2 years on my passport, so got a 1-year multi. roll on the new passport!

Posted by jaysmith (7 days ago)

by all means steer clear of CTS (China Travel Service). Many people still think of them as the best and only way to arrange a visa, but truth is they no longer give a crap about providing this service, so they will charge a lot and deliver little, making you provide things you don't need to and ignoring you while they serve Mainland Chinese tourists. Go directly to the government office mentioned above. It is one of the few China government offices with quick, courteous and efficient service!