I've heard from a few sources that getting a visa for China is not always straight forward. But personally I haven't had any issues and recently I've been getting all my visas for China done in Hong Kong!! So if you want to head to the world's most populated country - come to Hong Kong first and get your Chinese visa!
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.
In Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong there are countless guys on the streets who can all sort you out with a visa but while they may be legitimate, be careful. My advice is head to an agency and sort it out - there are loads of agencies and they will take you through the process.
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.
You'll not take long to find a branch of the China Travel Service - lots of them in Hong Kong!
You'll be surprised at how simple and easy it is to get a Visa for China in Hong Kong.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- Your entry route into China - tip is to put Shenzhen as its on the HK to China border and is busy 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.
- hotel or hostel you are staying in - again just write a hotel you know even if you have yet to book it. If they do ask for one, then you need to book one and show them but they have never asked me.
- 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. The payment - normally less than $50 but depends on nationality.
5. Go to the office and hand the visa application in yourself!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
I'll write separately about crossing the border itself - also very easy and enjoyable.
Have a great time doing China and enjoying 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!
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.
In Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong there are countless guys on the streets who can all sort you out with a visa but while they may be legitimate, be careful. My advice is head to an agency and sort it out - there are loads of agencies and they will take you through the process.
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.
You'll not take long to find a branch of the China Travel Service - lots of them in Hong Kong!
You'll be surprised at how simple and easy it is to get a Visa for China in Hong Kong.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A valid passport with more than 6 months and 2 empty pages left in it
2. A recent passport photo
3. The application form completed, with main points:
- Your entry route into China - tip is to put Shenzhen as its on the HK to China border and is busy 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.
- hotel or hostel you are staying in - again just write a hotel you know even if you have yet to book it. If they do ask for one, then you need to book one and show them but they have never asked me.
- 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. The payment - normally less than $50 but depends on nationality.
5. Go to the office and hand the visa application in yourself!
If you want your visa quicker you can pay more and collect within a day or two.
So that's it! Easy enough to get a visa for China in Hong Kong - go ahead and sort it out!
I'll write separately about crossing the border itself - also very easy and enjoyable.
Have a great time doing China and enjoying a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny at Don't Stop Living
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