China VISA

We are planning to visit HK next month for 2 months and may also like to go to China while we are out there. Please does anyone know if we can get a Chinese Visa in HK or is it better to get one in the UK before we leave?

What's the process time and cost to get a multi entry visa to China in HK?

Many thanks!

look here for details on getting a visa in Hk at the Foreign Ministry in Wan Chai:


http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/blsjfy/


Be aware there is usually a long line up at opening time, but it moves pretty quickly. There are other alternatives like China Travel Service but they charge an extra fee...going to the source is probably your cheapest option.

Also I think it is most unlikely they will give you a multiple-entry visa if it is your first visit.

Thank you for the useful information funbobby and kenwin.

You may find it cheaper to get it here in Hong Kong.


But beware, there is one young woman at the main office (Foreign Affairs Ministry?) in Wanchai who is MOST unhelpful and unfriendly, and seems to get extreme pleasure in frustrating some people's desire to visit China. Certainly she "ruined" my honeymoon plans.... (Bali got my dollars instead.)


I don't say this lightly, having had to deal with her twice, and seen her skulking in the background, smirking no less, when I complained about her terribly unhelpful attitude, when trying to get a visa for my wife.



Unfortunately the "manager" or whoever it was I spoke to (he wouldn't identify himself) was no use either -- he would do nothing about the matter. This happened very recently -- June 2010. Till then I had had no problem with the head office at all -- just that they were often very crowded.


The other problem is that the right hand does not seem to know what the left is doing -- information given by the head office is not born out by the local China Travel Service shops in Central and Wanchai, and vice versa.


My advice is, if you find you are being stymied by someone at head office, go to one of the local shops/offices -- you may well be able to get what you need there. Just don't announce yourself to the head office (ie. present your passport, so they can see your name and PP number) till you are SURE you can get your visa -- just in case that vindictive girl in the head office tries to stop you, and you have to go to a local China Travel Service, where at least they are friendly. If a "known" awkward passport-holder's visa application turns up, who knows what they might do? I certainly will not be going to head office for my visas anytime soon.


I never thought I would have to report this about the China visa issuing office, but sadly it is all too true -- an utter shambles, and a travesty of "justice". If it wasn't for the fact that I love to be IN China, I would never apply for a visa again. It's just these self-important bureaucrats -- they love to abuse their power. And how!


In China, of course, people are very friendly....

Hi Kinabalu, thanks for your reply. We will have to do it in HK now as we are running out of time here...

But did they refuse your Visa the first time? I didn't realise it is difficult to get one...based on what ground they may decide not to give you a visa? I am only looking to get a tourist visa, and if as kenvin said, multiple visa is difficult for the first-time applicants, then single entry is good enough...

Some passport holders have more difficulty getting a visa than others. You should be fine with a UK passport. You could try for a dual entry at least, and then settle for a single if that's what they give you instead...