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.
Hong Kong is on the border with China, there are quite a few immigration checkpoints. Personally I have been to 5 of them recently. Before you go there however you need a China Visa!! Unless you are Chinese!
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...
The first time you decide to go to China it's best to simply apply for a single entry visa - saves time, money and hassle and you are not likely to be turned down. Recently though I have managed to get multiple entry and double entry visas - these are easier to get once you have a single entry already. I'm a budget backpacker for the most part but this doesn't mean I head to the embassy to get my China Visa. I find it quick, easy and less hassle to head to an agency such as China Travel Service to get mine. There are lots of these in Hong Kong and you shouldn't have any problems.
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.
I'll shorten it for you here to make it easy, these are the things you need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- 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.
- There is a section for hotel/where you are staying. I normally just write a hotel name in the city I'm visiting on that trip, or write - staying with friends. On none of my 4 recent trips have I actually stayed in the place I wrote on the form. They never check. If they do then you will need to book a hostel or hotel online and print it to show them (I've never heard of this actually happening though).
- 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. Your payment - varies depending on nationality but shouldn't be more than 40 UK.
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 there you have it folks! It's easy to get a China Visa in Hong Kong. What are you waiting for? Get out there and see it!! China is an amazing country and to be honest it's one you should never neglect. I've been 6 times and counting! Here's 3 top photo highlights so far to get you in the mood to do China!!
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.
Hong Kong is on the border with China, there are quite a few immigration checkpoints. Personally I have been to 5 of them recently. Before you go there however you need a China Visa!! Unless you are Chinese!
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...
The first time you decide to go to China it's best to simply apply for a single entry visa - saves time, money and hassle and you are not likely to be turned down. Recently though I have managed to get multiple entry and double entry visas - these are easier to get once you have a single entry already. I'm a budget backpacker for the most part but this doesn't mean I head to the embassy to get my China Visa. I find it quick, easy and less hassle to head to an agency such as China Travel Service to get mine. There are lots of these in Hong Kong and you shouldn't have any problems.
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.
I'll shorten it for you here to make it easy, these are the things you need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- 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.
- There is a section for hotel/where you are staying. I normally just write a hotel name in the city I'm visiting on that trip, or write - staying with friends. On none of my 4 recent trips have I actually stayed in the place I wrote on the form. They never check. If they do then you will need to book a hostel or hotel online and print it to show them (I've never heard of this actually happening though).
- 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. Your payment - varies depending on nationality but shouldn't be more than 40 UK.
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 there you have it folks! It's easy to get a China Visa in Hong Kong. What are you waiting for? Get out there and see it!! China is an amazing country and to be honest it's one you should never neglect. I've been 6 times and counting! Here's 3 top photo highlights so far to get you in the mood to do China!!
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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