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!
Seriously in Hong Kong there are lots of places to get a Chinese Visa. This has to be the easiest and best place to get a China visa in the world. You're next door to the beast for a start! I did once get a Chinese visa in London (2007) but these days as a nomad, Hong Kong is the best place to do it!
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).
There's a host of these China Travel Services branches everywhere so you can't miss them!
It's a simple and easy process to get a China visa in Hong Kong.
This is what you need:
1. A passport, valid for at least another 6 months and with space for 2 pages in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- entry point to China - put Shenzhen as then they know you are crossing a land border HK to China. 1000s of tourists do this route 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.
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- 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. Go to the office and hand the visa 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).
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
The border crossing is simple enough too.
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny at Don't Stop Living
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!
Seriously in Hong Kong there are lots of places to get a Chinese Visa. This has to be the easiest and best place to get a China visa in the world. You're next door to the beast for a start! I did once get a Chinese visa in London (2007) but these days as a nomad, Hong Kong is the best place to do it!
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).
There's a host of these China Travel Services branches everywhere so you can't miss them!
It's a simple and easy process to get a China visa in Hong Kong.
This is what you need:
1. A passport, valid for at least another 6 months and with space for 2 pages in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- entry point to China - put Shenzhen as then they know you are crossing a land border HK to China. 1000s of tourists do this route 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.
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- 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. Go to the office and hand the visa 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).
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
The border crossing is simple enough too.
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny at Don't Stop Living
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