travelling to China - VISA application

travelling to China - VISA application

Author
Discussion

CR0X

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

199 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
I have to fly to HK next week, but need to sort out a VISA.

What is the best route, as I don't have time to visit the Embassy ...

Any advice from someone who has been through this?

ollie j

273 posts

161 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
you don't need a visa for HK. are you then on to a destination in mainland china? only then do you need a visa.

http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/rcgadq/...

CR0X

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

199 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
ollie j said:
you don't need a visa for HK. are you then on to a destination in mainland china? only then do you need a visa.

http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/rcgadq/...
I am heading to Foshan the day after I arrive. I have lot the form to fill out, assume thats it (with the supporting documents).

The invite I have covers the dates of my trip, but I was wondering if I could apply for a multi-entry visa, or do I need a separate invitation for that?

ollie j

273 posts

161 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
OK so reading between the lines, you require a business visa.

To simply address the first question in your original post, send your application off to the visa centre in london via next day special delivery. Include prepaid next day special delivery. include the money for an urgent business visa application.

It's a friday. They'll receive it tomorrow if you send today before your post office closes. I doubt they'll process until Monday.

Then to answer your other question about multiple entry, I have no idea so check the website for requirements for multiple entry business visa (mine was multiple tourist).

Sorry I cannot be more help but your posts are written in a way that assumes people reading it know half your requirements/dates.

angusfaldo

2,790 posts

274 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
I did this last week. It took from Tuesday 9am until Friday 4pm to complete, and that was with me having all the information needed including 66 quid fee, invitation letters from China and flight confirmations etc. Also meant going to the visa centre in London and q-ing for 2 hours to submit the application. The application would only be accepted with a pre-booked appointment (done online) which allowed a 30 minute slot. even so they were badly over-running by 90 minutes.

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

182 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
You've left it too late. Far too late.

SZ no longer offers visas at the border, and to confuse it even more, the visa rules are massively changing on July 1st, a complete overhaul.

You CAN get a same day visa in HK when you arrive, but you'll have to be there before 1pm. No documents needed.

If it's your first trip to China, you won't get a multi entry visa from the UK. You would only get a single entry, or possibly a double entry at most. Multi entry is for frequent visitors, and possibly not at all after July 1st.

You won't get a same day visa at the HK office. You can only get this at an agency (it's issued in SZ).

Your best bet is to do a super fast application in London and hope it comes back in time.

sgrimshaw

7,323 posts

250 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
I used this firm at the end of May, it was an excellent service and depending what day you fly you should have time to get it sorted.

www.visacentral.co.uk

sgrimshaw

7,323 posts

250 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
maser_spyder said:
You've left it too late. Far too late.

SZ no longer offers visas at the border, and to confuse it even more, the visa rules are massively changing on July 1st, a complete overhaul.

You CAN get a same day visa in HK when you arrive, but you'll have to be there before 1pm. No documents needed.

If it's your first trip to China, you won't get a multi entry visa from the UK. You would only get a single entry, or possibly a double entry at most. Multi entry is for frequent visitors, and possibly not at all after July 1st.

You won't get a same day visa at the HK office. You can only get this at an agency (it's issued in SZ).

Your best bet is to do a super fast application in London and hope it comes back in time.
I arrived in Shenzhen Shekou on the ferry from HK International Airport last Saturday and there was a Visa Desk immediately inside the port building.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/servi...

Rules seem quite strict, but it's still possible.

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

182 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
sgrimshaw said:
I arrived in Shenzhen Shekou on the ferry from HK International Airport last Saturday and there was a Visa Desk immediately inside the port building.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/servi...

Rules seem quite strict, but it's still possible.
Strange, the LuoHu one was closed last year.

But.... The OP said he was travelling next week, which is after the huge visa changes that come in to place on the 1st. It's unlikely, or at least very un-recommended to chance it after this big change.

Best to get a visa now, before the changes and inevitable ensuing chaos next week.

CR0X

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

199 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
thanks all.

the application has gone in ... here's hoping.

squicky

271 posts

180 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
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maser_spyder said:
Strange, the LuoHu one was closed last year.

But.... The OP said he was travelling next week, which is after the huge visa changes that come in to place on the 1st. It's unlikely, or at least very un-recommended to chance it after this big change.

Best to get a visa now, before the changes and inevitable ensuing chaos next week.
Do you know what sort of visa changes are happening? - Currently planning a trip back in October...

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

182 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
squicky said:
maser_spyder said:
Strange, the LuoHu one was closed last year.

But.... The OP said he was travelling next week, which is after the huge visa changes that come in to place on the 1st. It's unlikely, or at least very un-recommended to chance it after this big change.

Best to get a visa now, before the changes and inevitable ensuing chaos next week.
Do you know what sort of visa changes are happening? - Currently planning a trip back in October...
Nobody knows in China until it happens!

A normal, standard tourist visa isn't changing much. Business visas are changing a little, but if it's a 'trip' you should be OK with similar docs to before.

The big changes are on business / work visas. Loads of people were technically 'working' in China but with a business visa (which is much easier to get), so they're relaxing the rules a little in one direction and moving things around.

There's a few down-sides, apparently multi-entry visas are going to be near impossible to get, or just aren't going to exist at all unless it's a work visa.

Basically, it'll all work out much the same as before once the visa agents have worked out how to get around the rules. hehe

You won't have a problem for a single trip.

CR0X

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

199 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
passport and Visa's arrived ... fly tonight. Phew ...

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

182 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2013
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Lucky bugger! Have a great trip, be safe.

CR0X

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

199 months

Friday 5th July 2013
quotequote all
maser_spyder said:
Lucky bugger! Have a great trip, be safe.
thanks! Got back yesterday afternoon ...