How to get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong – Index
Before you begin
If you can’t apply for a visa in your country of residence because you already live in Asia or you’re traveling, Hong Kong is still the best place to get one.
In the first part of this article, we’ll explain where you can apply for a visa in Hong Kong (you can use an agency or go directly to the CVASC), and which documents are necessary for getting a visa.
In the second part of this article, we’ll explain how to travel from China to Hong Kong in the quickest and cheapest way in order to get a visa.
Note that all the information that you’ll find in this article is the result of our own personal experience since we’ve applied for many visas in Hong Kong, starting way back in 2012.
For more general information on Chinese Visa, I suggest you read Chinese Visa application: A complete guide.
Do I need a Visa to visit Hong Kong?
If you are an American, Canadian, Australian or European (from E.U, I mean) citizen, then you don’t need a Visa as long as you stay for less than 90 days (British people can stay 180 days). If you come from another country, you should go to this page to check whether you need a Visa or not.
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, a customs officer will stick a “Visa exemption” ticket on your passport, which specifies for how long you can legally stay in Hong Kong without a Visa.
In the second part of this article, I’ll provide all the Visa costs in HKD (Hong Kong Dollars). Keep in mind that at the time of writing, 10 HKD = 1.29 USD = 1.16 Euro (you can find the exchange rate in real-time here).
Where can I get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong?
Option A: Using an agency
First Update: At the moment, according to our readers, this is the easiest solution (unless you hold a Hong Kong resident permit).
Second update: Generally speaking, if during the last twelve months you have already obtained one or two Chinese Visas in Hong Kong, it’s going to be hard to get more than a 14 day tourist or business Visa (unless you have a legit invitation letter from a Chinese company).
If you aren’t one of those people that basically live in China with a tourist or business visa, then you should be able to obtain at least a 60 day tourist Visa (double entry, this means that you’ll have to exit and reenter China after 30 days) or a multi-entry 6-12 month business visa.
Note that if you obtain a multi-entry business Visa of 90, 180 or 365 days, you’ll have to exit China every 30, 60 or 90 days (according to the Visa you will get).
Moreover, in order to obtain a business visa with a duration of 90, 180 or 365 days, usually you must have already obtained in the past a Chinese Visa outside the Chinese territory and have in your passport at least a stamp from the Chinese immigration office (that is you have already been in China).
If you applied for your Visa through an agency before August 2013, it was possible to obtain it within five hours. Nowadays, the rush service is two working days (that is, 24 hours because in China, the day on which you apply is included in the working days) for short term tourist and business Visas, and up to fifteen working days for a 6 or 12 month business Visa (according to the situation).
There are a lot of visa agencies in Hong Kong. Personally, I like Forever Bright. With the normal service (4 working days), you’ll pay 750 HKD for a single entry L or M Visa and 970 HKD for a double-entry L or M visa (30 days per entry).
The prices for the faster services (two or three working days) are 1,170 HKD and 1,720 HKD, respectively.
However, there are many exceptions; you can check the price for your nationality by following this link.
The multi-entry 6-12 months visa isn’t available for all nationalities and will cost you between 1,370 and 2,890 HKD (however we heard of people that paid up to 8,000 HKD; thus we advise you to contact the agency well in advance, in order to know what fee you will have to pay in your case).
Here is their address and contact information of Forever Bright Agency:
Rooms 916-917, New Mandarin Plaza Tower B
14 Science Museum Road,
T.S.T. East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2369 3188
Website: www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk
The easiest way to find the agency is to take the subway to Tsim Sha Tsui East Station, leave through exit P2 and walk North on Mody Road (just turn left at the exit) up until the intersection at Science Museum Road, where the agency is located. From the P2 exit, it takes about ten minutes to get to the office.
The other agency that seems to be quite good is CTS (China Travel Service), located at the Hong Kong airport. I’ve heard that here, you’ll need at least three working days to get your Visa.
Option B: The Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC)
If you don’t want to use an agency, then you will have to apply for your Visa at the CVASC (unless you own a special passport).
Here the address and contact information:
Address: 20/F, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Business Hours: Monday-Friday (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)
Submission of Applications and Payment: 9:00 to 16:00 (Urgent service before 12:00)
Collection: Regular Service: 10:00 to 17:00, Express and Urgent Service: 12:00 to 17:00
Tel: + 852 29921999
Fax: + 852 29891116
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.visaforchina.org
Here you can find most of the information you will need (including the list of required documents, according to the type of Visa you want to apply for).
Here you find the Visa fees.
Here you can schedule an appointment for your Visa application.
Option C: The Consular Department Office (not applicable for ordinary passports)
Update: Since January 2018, this option is not applicable anymore for ordinary passports. Thus, if you own an ordinary passport, your only options are to apply with an agency or at the CVASC.
Although we don’t have any first-hand experience with it, If you have a diplomatic passport, it seems you can still apply for your Chinese Visa at the Consular Department Office. It’s close to Wan Chai subway station. The exact address is:
7th Floor, Lower Block, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong Island
Tel: +852 3413 2424 (here you find working time and email address)
In general, a single entry Visa costs 200 HKD, a double-entry visa 300 HKD and a multiple-entry visa 500 HKD. However, we are talking about China! This means that there are many exceptions. For example, American citizens have to pay 1100 HKD for any kind of Visa, and British citizens need to pay 360 HKD for a single entry one, 540 HKD for a double entry one and 1090 HKD for a multiple-entry Visa. There are also exceptions for other countries; you can find the complete price list here.
It takes four working days to get your Visa; however, you can apply for the express service if you want to have it within three working days (you’ll pay 200 HKD extra), or the rush service if you want to get the Visa within two working days (you’ll pay 300 HKD extra).
Note that the day on which you apply is included in the working days, so if you apply for a rush Visa on Monday you’ll get it on Tuesday. Also, take note that for some nationalities (France, for instance), express and rush Visa service isn’t available. Don’t ask me why; this is just the way it is!
If you are planning to stay in a hotel and have no interest in visiting the city, then the rush service is more convenient, as hotels in Hong Kong are quite expensive. This means that you’ll end up spending more than the 300 HKD extra needed for the rush Visa process.
The list of necessary documents for obtaining a visa at the consular office
Here’s a testimonial from our reader, Enrico Penna (edited by me).
Getting a visa at the consular office is complicated because, even if they require various documents, the complete list of the specific documents needed isn’t published anywhere, and moreover, when they deny you at the counter, of the many necessary documents they tell you only one at a time in a way that you won’t even get it the next time around.
Between my direct failings and those of other unfortunate ones, I believe I’m able to provide a complete list of necessary documents:
- The application form, which among other things must be compiled without errors or omissions otherwise they’ll make you fill it out all again (losing your place in line);
- Photocopy of your passport, including the Hong Kong immigration slip (the so-called “Visa exemption”), a small rectangle of White paper that they give you at Passport control (when you arrive in Hong Kong), often without stapling a page. Note that if you’re not paying attention and lose it, you’re screwed;
- If you’re more than one applying for a visa, they don’t accept two copies of the same page; each passport must have a good A4 photocopy;
- Copy of your round trip air ticket in both English and Chinese; if your agency has printed it in another language (such as Italian), it will be denied even if your name, airline, booking number and flight information are clearly visible;
- Copy of your hotel reservation in China, also in English or Chinese and must absolutely have your name (and the names of all people that are applying for the Visa and will stay at the same hotel) clearly visible; Booking.com had sent me a receipt via e-mail in Italian with a booking code but no name and I had to return to the site to print a copy in English;
- Depending on the number of days of your stay, which they deduce for your flight dates, they can ask for proof of your booking for the entire length of your stay in China. The problem is that if you explain to them that you don’t have an exact itinerary and will decide where to stay from day to day, there’s a very strong possibility that they’ll refuse your visa;
- This aspect is really controversial and discretional; I saw a Pakistani pass through with just bookings for the first two days in Shenzhen; whereas a French couple was chased off and had to appeal to their agency because they only had a pair of bookings for almost a month-long stay;
- To conclude, if you’re traveling with a minor child, you’ll also need a birth certificate in English and two copies of the parents’ passports.
Luo Hu: The border between Shenzhen (China) and Hong Kong S.A.R.
How to get to Hong Kong from China Mainland
Hong Kong by plane
If you are coming from Europe or the U.S., you can just take a flight to Hong Kong International Airport. Then take the subway or a taxi to your hotel (click here to read our reviews of the best luxury, medium-range and economic hotels in Hong Kong).
However, if you live in China and are coming to Hong Kong to renew your Visa or for a Visa run, you may want to consider taking a plane to Shenzhen, a Chinese city located just across the Hong Kong S.A.R. border.
Why? Because a domestic flight from any Chinese city to Shenzhen is usually cheaper than an international flight from any Chinese city to Hong Kong. Click here to learn what are the best website to book a flight in China or Hong Kong.
Once you get to Shenzhen, you can take line 1 of the subway from the airport to Luo Hu station, which is located on the border with the Hong Kong S.A.R. It will take ab out 90 minutes, as you have to cross all of Shenzhen.
At this point, you can cross the border by walking (it takes from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the line) and then take the Hong Kong subway to downtown (about 50 minutes). The total price is about 80 HKD.
The other option is the bus that departs from the arrivals floor at Shenzhen airport and arrives at Tsim Sha Tsui Station, which is in Kowloon but very close to Hong Kong island, and which takes about 90 minutes (if there isn’t too much traffic at the border).
Even though you have to take two buses, one to the border and the second from it, it is only one ticket (I think it costs 150 HKD). The first bus drops you off at the border, which you have to cross by walking, while the second bus waits for you across the border (it’s all explained on the ticket).
If this trip from Shenzhen to Hong Kong seems too complicated to you, you can fly directly from China to Hong Kong. In this case, I suggest you to read our guide on how to book a flight ticket in China.
Hong Kong by train
The other possibility is to take a train from any Chinese city to Shenzhen and then cross the border at Luo Hu (the train station is quite close).
Take note that a hard sleeper ticket on the night train from Shanghai to Shenzhen will cost you 470 Chinese Yuan while a plane ticket is worth around 650 Yuan. Since the difference in price is relatively small and the train is way slower (around 15 hours instead of 2), I usually go by plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to many comments we receive, it is possible – even if in theory such visas should be requested in the country to which you belong. They’ve told us that the key is, besides having all your documents in order, having an invitation letter that clearly specifies that the visa be applied for in Hong Kong.
From two to four business days including the day you apply for your visa.
Click here to read our reviews of the hotels we recommend in Hong Kong.
It depends on the type of visa you apply for and what you manage to get. Note that if for example you apply for a two-entry tourist visa of 30 days each, you won’t necessarily be issued that exact visa.
It is possible, depending on the case, that they’ll just issue you a single entry visa of 30 days (or less).
Yes, we have applied for – and obtained – several times a visa in Hong Kong.
Photo Credits: 
Auf nach China by Max Braun
Great website Furio,
I also have a visa question. I am currently a Colombian citizen on a student visa in China. The school has said they cannot renew my visa at this time. As you know China visa legislation is subject to rapid change. My visa is up next month. I want to try and get a six month visitor visa in hopes that the strictness eases up and I can get my student visa again. Returning back to South America is expensive, I’m wondering if it’s possible to get it in Hong Kong. Is it possible for a Colombian citizen to change from student visa to visitor visa in Hong Kong or Korea?
filipino passport holder and american passport holder going to hk for 6 days,planning a 1 day tour to guangzhou,what do we need to get a chinese visa? thanks!
Hi there, it’s all written in the article
I am in Shandong province now signing contract and then amy question is.
Is it possible to process Z visa or working visa for china in Hongkong?
My nationality is Jamaican.
Waiting for your reply
Thank you.
In some occasions it’s possible but it’s not sure. Most people must go back to their home country to apply.
Hi,
I plan to visit Hong Kong for 2 weeks which I understand is exempted from visa for 90 days for a Fiji Passport holder. While there, I am planning to visit Guangzhou in China for 2 days (single entry) via the Express Rail Link and then head back to Hong Kong. With a Fiji Passport, entry to China is exempted from visa for 30 days. But I am not sure if I need to apply for a China visa to Guangzhou if I travel this way?
Thank you!!
Hello Jenny,
I’m sorry but we aren’t unable to advice for “Fiji Passport” as it’s a very unusual request and thus we have no experience with it
Hello,
I’ve got an M-visa for 30 days. With this visa I will be able to travel to Shanghai, but I already know that 30 days will not be enough. My research for a Chinese company will take at least 60 days. – Now, I recently heard from a source in Shanghai that the (PSB)policy for requests for a longer stay is tightened (more severe, strict) since last month or so. If that is the case, then travelling to Shanghai soon will be useless for me, because 30 days will not be enough. – I really hope that people here can inform me about alternatives to stay in Shanghai longer than that 30 days (in case I will not get a extension/renewal).
Hello John,
if you don’t get the extension, there are no “silver bullet”. Your best bet is to go to Hong Kong and apply for a new visa there
I really do not understand. What I am going to do in Shanghai is fully in the interest of a Chinese company. Then why should do they do so difficult about an extra 30 days??
This is the Chinese law, we limit ourselves to explain it to the extent we can. However, we do not provide “interpretations”
Thanks.
I did not ask for an interpretation, of course. It just would have been nice if someone knows why the Chinese authorities just say ‘no’ without explanation, especially if – in my case – an extra 30 days is in the interest of a Chinese company.
Hello John,
I understand it may be frustrating. We have all been there. Here some thoughts (sorry for the lenght, but this topic is quite complex):
1. I look at China more as a “continent” than a “country”. It has a huge size, a huge population, and a lot of different cultures / languages. In order to handle such a complexity, Chinese law are often “vague” and opened to interpretation.
This is because, even if laws are often national wide, the same “strict” law can’t be applied in Beijing or Shanghai and in rural Sichuan.
The “Visa law” is a classic example of what I’m explaining: even if the law is national, often you get a different results (approval/rejection, or just duration) according to where you apply for the visa extension.
Thus, it is extremely difficult to forecast the outcome of a visa extension. And this is my first point.
2. Visas policy may be “relaxed” and “made stricter” for a large number of reasons.
Classical example: when there is an important event (especially a political event or an international event, like a G8 meeting), Chinese tend to tighten the visa policies for awhile.
Now, I have no idea why the policy may be stricter in Shanghai this month (I’m not even sure it’s true, to be honest). But what I can claim with a certain degree of certainty, is that it’s not “personal”.
They just prefer to go the safer way, and avoid possible problems, by simply limiting the number of foreigners/newcomers.
When looking at the big picture, for the Chinese “avoiding problems” is more important than disrupting some business deals. And this is my second point.
3. This is China, and claim that we fully understand it would be just… wrong. So, take this just as our 2 cents : )
Furio Fu,
You say: “They just prefer to go the safer way, and avoid possible problems, by simply limiting the number of foreigners/newcomers.”
Then why does one get only 30 days when in Holland, but can get 60 or even 90 days when living in -for example- Brasil or Germany ? It should all be the same, because we all want to come to China…
That’s a totally different issue.
Why US citizens can get a 10 years multi-entry travel visa while a European citizen cannot?
It’s because China deals with each country separately. If you offer a “better deal” to Chinese citizens wanting to travel, study or work in your country, China will most likely offer a better deal to the citizens of your country as well (unless there are other issues).
This is not strange at all, every country has a different visa policy for different passports. Try to get a business visa for EU (by having a non-EU passport) and you will see how it changes, according to your nationality.
And no, it shall NOT all be the same. Each country has the sovereign reight to decide its own visa policy, there is not “we are all the same” international visa treaty : P
What I mean Furio Fu, is that -as you wrote- China is limiting the number of foreigners sometimes, but at the same time give some foreigners only 30 days and others 60 days of even more months. I am familiar with the fact that it has to do with different policies in countries (different settled agreements with China), but still I find a sort of contradiction in it. That’s all.
Oh sure, China is full of contraddictions, I agree with that.
However, I would say that all big countries have policies that contraddict themselves, to some extent.
Hi Mr. Furio,
I’m a Filipino citizen, I am travelling to Hong Kong and planing to visit china,but i will obtain my Chinese visa in Hong Kong consular, is it possible for me to acquire a Chinese visa in Hong Kong? by the way I’m travelling alone. Thank you. I hope you can help me,
Hi there,
I have no experience with filipino passport. Just contact the CVASC or the agency you intend to use
Hello thalita, I would like to know if you were able to get chinese visa via HK. I am filipino and have the same situation as you.
Hi, I would like to spend 4 weeks or so in China to see some places and visit friends in Beijing, relatives in Chongqing, pop over to Hong Kong and then cross the land border into Vietnam. Although I have a route planned out it is very difficult to calculate exactly where I will be at any time. It will take about 4 or 5 weeks. eg Bad weather will mean I will stay longer to see something. This also makes it difficult to show a return flight unless I book one and dont take it! A somewhat pricey solution. I have seen all sorts of stories about travellers wandering around China so how do they do it? I also hope to visit again in 2019 but on proper tour for most of it, bu ton the wander again after it, so looking for a multi-entry one year visa if possible. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello Andrew,
first of all, if you want to visit Hong Kong and then enter Mainland China again, you will need a visa with at least 2 entries.
Second, you will probably need a return flight to get your visa. So yes, if you aren’t sure about the dates, you could buy a flight with flexible scheduling. They are usually a bit more expensive but allow you to change departure date (I did it in the past).
Finally, multi-entry visa exist, however they don’t always provide them. It depends on many factors, including your nationality, the stamps you have on your passports, the “age” of your passporto, the motivation you will provide for getting a multi-entry visa etc. Basically, they evaluate the situation case by case
Hi bro, i’m indonesian and now living in guangzhou using invitation visa from my brother in law. So, I just decided to go to hongkong to get a tourist visa because my visa will be expired soon. Is it possible? I just read an article from chinese embassy and they said if you’re not working in hongkong you’re not allowed to apply this visa. Is it true?
We know many people that got a Chinese visa in Hong Kong. However regulations may change at any time. So, I suggest you to contact the CVASC and/or a visa agency, before traveling to Hong Kong for the purpose of getting a Chinese visa
Hey there,
I was just wondering if I could apply for a ‘L’ tourist visa in Hong Kong with a UK passport. I am currently in China on an X2 visa and don’t fancy having to travel home to get the visa and come back. Also do they do they do a 2 year multi entry visa still? I have read so much information on google that contradicts itself. Thank you for any help :)
Hello Jessica,
I think you can apply. As for multi-visa etc, I suggest to ask directly to the CVASC, if you are applying there.
Hi Furio,
I am from the UK too, and will be going to Hong Kong in a few weeks from Shanghai. Ideally I’d like to get a 6 month multiple entry or double entry tourist visa. Do you think that is possible? Thank you! :)
You can ask for it!
If they don’t grant it, they will probably grant you a visa with a shorter duration.
Thank you, I will try it! :)
Hi, thanks for all this useful information.
How is the process if you have the Hong Kong ID ?
Not the permanent one, the regular one.
Thank you very much!
I guess it’s pretty similar. Just, you may have more advantages about entering / exiting China. However, I’m not aware of it as usually our readers don’t own an Hong Kong ID Card
Thanks!
Hopefully yes, but it’s not easy to find this info.
I saw in your link some requirements for the yearly pass the HKID, so I guess it should be easy.
Congrats for your blog!
: )
Am a zambian citizen can I get a student visa in hongkong for 30 days to china
I suggest to get in touch with the CVASC, for these kind of questions
Hello! My fiancé is currently living in China with a Z visa. I am still in the US. I am thinking about going to China on an L visa. If I am able to get a job while I am visiting, can I applying for a z visa in Hong Kong if I have all the right documents?
Yes, I think it’s possible as we heard about several successful cases
Hey All,
I just my visa today from CVASC and it was simple and easy, I didnt give them any proof of residence and I was never asked just the little card they give you at the airport that means you are permitted to stay in HK.
Paid total 1750HKD for the Express applied Wed got it Fri afternoon.
Fuck them Agencies :D
Hi Alan,
yes, we heard the CVASC is OK now. Before, when you had to apply directly at the Consular Office, it was more difficult.
If you from USA, Canada, Brazil and Argentina, you can apply multiple entry visa without hassle in Kuala Lumpur. No need Malaysia long term visa. Malaysia social/tourist visa is allowed. Sample 10 years multiple entry for USA citizen tripvisa.my/sample-of-china-visa-10-years-multiple-entry-for-us-passport/
Use this agency TripVisa.my. They can help you. Below their service charge- all in:
USA – straight 10 years multiple entry – 60 days stay – Fee: USD 365
Canada – depend on passport validity. Passport valid 9 years will get 9 years multiple entry – 60 days stay – Fee: USD 365
Argentina – straight 10 years multiple entry – 90 days stay – Fee: USD 365
Brazil – straight 5 years multiple entry – 90 days stay – fee: USD 245
Others countries cannot apply without Malaysia long term visa.
Sorry, are you saying if I go to Malaysia I can get the 10 year tourisit visa for China?
Yup. Only for these countries only: USA, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Other countries need long term Malaysia visa such as work permit before they can apply China visa in Malaysia.
Found that they got Argentina passport 10 years multiple entry China visa.
tripvisa.my/sample-of-china-visa-10-years-multiple-entry-for-argentina-passport/
Yes, Argentina is also included
Hello guys. My current residence permit (study) expires Aug. 31st and i haven’t time to collect all the documents for working visa application (Z) in China. In that case, company told me to go to H.K. to get a simple visa and when i reenter China, they will change it to work type. Which one is the best to apply?I don’t want to apply for Z type in HK. In tourist visa (L) case, should i also include air tickets leaving China and hotel booking? I am asking you because, i don’t intend to leave China and also i am already renting a place to stay in Shanghai long time and will be the same one after returning from HK. Thank you very much.
Hi Zack,
if you have no time to get a new Z visa, then probably a L visa is the best option, so that then you will have the time to collect all docs.
Yes, usually flight tickets and hotel bookings are required for an L visa, even if when you apply with an agency is possible that they don’t require it (but as said, it depends on the agency and on the situation)
Hi Furio, Thanks for the rapid response. I contacted one of the agencies mentioned on this website and i was told that, for tourist visa (L), hotel and air tickets bookings are not compulsory for L type. Yet,they informed me that providing graduation certificate acquired in China would be helpful.
I still have residence permit (study) that expires Aug. 31st, because of master’s degree at a Shanghainese university.
Hello Zack,
my experience is the same: While applying at the CVASC, flight ticket / hotel booking are usually required, while some agencies are able to get your visa without such a documents
Any idea of how long it would take for me to obtain a multi-entry 6 month visa IN HK? I have two previous Chinese VISAs, obtained and used within the last 6 months.
Could I by any chance apply for the express service when applying for a 6 month, multi entry visa?
Apologies if this has already been answered, but I did not fully understand from the article how this works.
I plan to apply at CVASC, FWIW.
Hello Alex,
I think so as, in my experience, the time needed for getting the visa is the same for all visas. The important is to provide all the required documents. Also, we aren’t an “official” source. I guess you can get a “certain” answer by contacting the CVASC in Hong Kong
HELLO GOOD DAY I AM A ST.KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZEN AND CAN ENTER HONGKONG WITHOUT VISA (VISA ON ARRIVAL). WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE CHINESE VISA FROM HONGKONG HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED AND WHAT ARE THE CHARGES AND IF THERE IS URGENT SERVICE OR NOT
THANK YOU
Hi there, get in touch with the CVASC or an agency
Hi! i’m Colombian citizen, i’ve been in china for 1 year and half with X1 visa doing a language program, now i applied for a scholarship at the same college and i got it, im just waiting for the CSC (chinese government) to send the documents to apply a new visa. The thing is my Residence permit will expire this weekend, and after two months saying “don’t worry, the documents will be here on time”, the university now says “ok, maybe you have to leave China and come back ’cause there’s no time”.
Now, i’m thinking trying Seoul (SK) or Hong Kong, cause come back to my country is too expensive so is not an option. There’s chances to get it in one of these places? Which one is better? should i use an agency?. Thank you in advance!
Hello Lena,
as far as I see, Colombian citizens are not required to get a visa for staying in Hong Kong up to 90 days: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Colombian_citizens
Of course, don’t just trust Wikipedia: do some more research to make sure this is possible, before taking your decision.
Hi I’m somali citizen I’m in Malaysia right now I went Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur to apply X1 Chinese visa but they said you can’t because you don’t have resident in Malaysia i wanna to go hong Kong to apply there is possible to apply Chinese visa X1 without resident thank you
It’s possible, but as far as I know:
a.) It doesn’t work for all countries, ie. it depends on your passport
b.) You’ve got no “guarantees” that you will get the visa in Hong Kong
Do you know if foreigners can still do Z visas in Hong Kong, provided they have the invitation letter from a reputable company? For the record, I’m a U.S. citizen, I’ve had multiple Z visas in the past, and I currently have a 10-year L visa.
It’s possible, but certainly not guaranteed.
I am just looking for a little bit of support as this process is not the simplest. So far; this website has been the best in regards to providing information so that you very much for that!
By the sounds of it, there is no consitency in regards to obtaining a Z Visa while in Hong Kong. I am a UK Citizen with a job lined up in Gunagzhou and would ideally like to get my Z Visa from Hong Kong rather than flying back to the UK to obtain my visa. Is there a company, embassy or anyone that I can contact to discuss this in more detail? I have tried contacting the Chinese Embassy in London but there was no answer and I called a company/agency in Hong Kong and they said that it can be done; however, there was a bit of a language barrier so I don’t feel confident with the outcome.
Hello Rich,
although I have no personal experience (I’m Italian and I got my Z visa in Italy) for the many comments and emails we received, we got the following idea:
1. Yes, it’s possible to get a Z visa in Hong Kong, although nobody can “assure” you that you will get the visa
2. Beside having all the required documents, for the feedback we received it seems that it’s important to have a invitation letter that specifies that you will apply for visa in Hong Kong
Good luck : )
Thanks for this guide! I got my tourist visa in Hong Kong and used the new Visa Center instead of an agency, which was much cheaper. I wrote it all up in a detailed How To about the whole process: http://www.manuelsalmann.com/blog/how-to-get-a-tourist-visa-for-china-in-hong-kong
Best,
Manuel
thank you Manuel!