It came to my attention recently that a few travellers have had problems and issues getting visas for China. Everyone wants to visit the world's most populated country so I'm here with my latest visa advice for China!! I'm heading to China again soon for my 6th visit and I want to explain an easy and simple way for you travellers to get your China Visa - it's easy! All you need to do is ... get yourself to HONG KONG!
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.
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.
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.
You'll be surprised at how simple and easy it is to get a Visa for China 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 recent passport photo
3. Your completed application form with these 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.
- They will ask for for expected date of travel - just make this up if you don't know when you are heading - you will have three months (I think) from the date printed on the visa to enter. No big deal this question.
- 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).
- Have you got medical insurance? Always write no, believe me!
- 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. The payment - normally less than $50 but depends on nationality.
5. Hand the application in yourself.
There's also a fast option which you may need but I just pick the regular visa pick up time.
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 the travelling Northern Irishman
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.
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.
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.
You'll be surprised at how simple and easy it is to get a Visa for China 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 recent passport photo
3. Your completed application form with these 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.
- They will ask for for expected date of travel - just make this up if you don't know when you are heading - you will have three months (I think) from the date printed on the visa to enter. No big deal this question.
- 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).
- Have you got medical insurance? Always write no, believe me!
- 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. The payment - normally less than $50 but depends on nationality.
5. Hand the application in yourself.
There's also a fast option which you may need but I just pick the regular visa pick up time.
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 the travelling Northern Irishman
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