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
Hello,
My husband is currently in China on a tourist visa that expires in 10 days.
He, however, has all the necessary documents (acceptance letter and JW202) for his tourist visa.
Can he apply in HK or he needs to go back to his home country (Bosnia, Europe).
Thanks
I imagine he want to apply for a student visa, isn’t it? Probably he can apply for this visa directly in China (just go to the PSB), if not you can contact an agency in Hong Kong.
Hello,
I have been emailing Forever Bright and they offer a 1year L/ M multiple entry visa (60days per entry) which costs apparently $7300 HKD for normal service. However they are unclear as to what exactly the requirements are…They just say to sent my passport, photo and personal information by Courier ( which is not going to happen).
However, from what I read in previous posts, its hard to reentry more than 2 times.., how many times is “multi entry?? if the VISA is for 1 year and each stay is 60 days, I assume I can go to Hong Kong and back 6 times
I am from Belgium, so I can go to Hong Kong without a VISA for 90 days.
Thank you
Hello,
multi entry means that you can enter/exit any time you want. “60 days stay” means that each time you can only stay for a maximum of 60 days!
Hello,
But how many times can you do this. every 60 days for a whole year? Or you can go out and back in as many times as you want as long as you don’t overstay 60 days at one time?
Yes, if you have a multi-entry visa you can go in and out all the times you want for a year, as long as you never overstay the 60 days
Hi Furio,
i’m an italian employee in a italian company. Our customer brings our tools in china to work so me and my colleagues make many trip to china, all the times passing trough HK.
All the times we apply Visa in Italy ( milan) and always get tourist visa 6 month 2 entries.
Do you think it’s possible to obtain a multiple visa 6 -12 month? On the Agency website isn’t so clear.
thanks in advance.
Omar
yeah, a business visa shall be possible in HK with FBT (see link of the agency on the article). However it’s not sure that you ll get it!
Hi Furio,
Sorry to ask but looks like there are so many change s in China regulations..
How about a Mexican traveling in Asia for 2 months, I am heading to Hong Kong in 4 days, do you think that I can get a visa at the consulate now or do I need to use an agency?
I did not apply for a visa in Mexico because I was not sure about coming to China, so I am a first timer…
Thanks for the advice.. great job guys!!!!
Hola Leo, it would be difficult that the consular office will let you apply for a Visa if you don’t have a Hong Kong resident permit. You should apply your Visa through an agency.
Hi! Great article and very helpful! I know many already asked but just to make sure that in 2016 nothing has changed…
My boyfriend has been offered a job in Beijing as a teacher and will have Z VISA/ working VISA. I know that if we’re not married I can’t get a dependant VISA for myself unless a) we’ll get married or b) I will get a job there.
We were thinking of getting a tourist VISA for me and after 30 days going to HK to get a new one. From your experience, how many times I can apply for a new VISA without getting into trouble and do you think there any other possible way so I can stay there legally for two years without all that hassle? (except the one mentioned above ;))
Other thing is, we live in UK but I am a Polish citizen and a tourist VISA done in my country is valid for 30 days only, would you rather recommend to do it in UK?
Sorry for so many questions but after reading so many websites it all seems to be more and more complicated… ;)
Thanks a lot!!!!
Agnes
Hello Agnes,
I’m afraid that tourist visa runs in HK won’t work. After 2-3 times, they will deny you a new tourist visa because it will be obvious that you want to live in China without the right type of visa!
You could join a school/university to study chinese part time and get an X visa though. I’d do like that, if I was you
It’s not a bad idea as I want to learn Chinese anyway.
Thanks a lot for a quick reply!
Cheers!
: )
Dear Furio Fu,
I have been on a business trip in Beijing for two months (an M-type single entry 30 days, obtained in the Netherlands + a single extension) and I want to travel through China for another 24 days for tourism with collegues.
Above you mentioned it is going to be difficult to obtain an L-type VISA if during the last twelve months you have already obtained one or two Chinese VISAs in Hong Kong. But since I applied for my initial visa in the Netherlands, what would be the chance to be granted an L-type VISA for at least 24 days by the Forever Bright Agency or another HK agency?
Sincerely,
Twan
Hello Twan, I think you have got decent chances to get a visa in HK
Hello,
My husband and I are living in Taiwan. We work here and have ARC (Alien Resident Cards) in Taiwan. Our Brazilian friends will be in China for a few weeks and we’d like to go visit them, but we need visas. We want to arrive in Beijing on April 2nd and plan to leave April 5th. What is the fastest option for us to get a Visa? Can we send our information and passports to Hong Kong, or do we need to go to HK in person to apply? Should we go to HK weeks before our flight to Beijing, or right before?
Thank you,
Mallory
I should say that we have US passports, and are US citizens.
Thanks,
Mallory
Hello, try to speak with the agencies mentionned on the article to see if you can get a visa without going to HK. If not, I’m afraid you will have to go to HK. You can also go 3-4 days before your trip to Beijing in order to apply to the VISA.
Finally, notice that if you go to Hong Kong, then fly to Beijing for less than 72 hours, then fly to Hong Kong, you may be able to apply for the transit China visa exemption: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/how-to-transit-china-for-72-hours-without-a-visa-the-complete-guide/
The necessary requirement is that the country you are arriving from is not the same where you will go after transiting in China. That’s why you need to go to Hong Kong, or any country that is not Taiwan, beforehand to fly to China.
Also, if you choose this way, make sure that the flight company agrees that the visa exemption applies as there are so many exceptions and we cant certainly it will apply in your specific case
x2 visa do you need a JW202? I’m confused because when I look up the requirements it says just the original letter of admission but then when I spoke to the agency mentioned in the article they say I need JW202
Hello, as far as we know, the JW202 is only needed for the X1 visa. The US Chinese consular office claims the same: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/hrsq/#X2
Thanks. I ended up finding a visa agent who didn’t require a jw202. All the others did for some reason and my language school only offers 16week courses at most so they dont issue JW202 but all the agents refused to put through my application without one.
I just got my passport with my approved visa back yesterday!
Congratulations : )
Hi. i been traveling a lot in ASIA except china. its is really hard to get tourist visa in my country philippines. i was denied once. i plan to go hongkok to apply china visa there, is it possible i can get?
It’s possible, certainly not sure!
Hey everyone! I’m currently in HK, I want to apply for an L Visa. I have never had a VISA in China, I have a letter of invitation from my friend in Hong Kong stating that I will be staying with her for the duration. I’ve tried contacting FBT through email and haven’t received a response. I don’t currently have a phone that can make calls in Hong Kong.
My question, I know I need to have a return flight, however I wanted to know if there was a maximum length of time a foreigner in HK can apply for? On the site it seems like if you want to stay longer than 3 months you need a HKID. Applying in Hong Kong seems cheaper than flying back to Sydney, however if the longest I can get in HK is only 3 months, I might have to.
Other companies don’t have HKID listed for 6 month double entry VISA but everyone says to use FBT so I haven’t really bothered even contacting them.
Hello, for L visa, I don’t think you can apply for more than 90 days consecutive days anywhere in the world!
I got a visa 1 time issued in my country the Netherlands. I used the visa in Januari 2016. Van i apply voor a new 1 time visa in HKG? An invitation is not a problem
You may get a new visa in Hong Kong, however is not certain
Hi There,
I (Indian) am living in Shanghai (with residence permit) and has been offered a job here, I was wondering if can get a Z visa from HK. Do you think I can get Z visa easily in HK or should I travel my home country to get one.
It’s better if you travel to your country, however we heard of people that were able to get the Z VISA in Hong Kong, provided that the invitation letter specified that you shall apply in Hong Kong
I recently successfully applied for a Z visa in Hong Kong. UK passport. The invitation letter MUST say apply in Hong Kong. No questions were asked. Well they did ask if I was a HK resident, but when I said I wasn’t it did not seem to be a problem. Just be sure that you have copies of all the documents, passport, Hong Kong entry, etc. They may also ask for your employment contract, but they did not ask me for it.
I am sure it will vary with your passport country, inviting unit, etc. I did overhear someone being told that he could not apply in Hong Kong as he was not resident. Also heard of others being able to persuade them to allow you to apply, but that will be very uncertain.
Hello David,
thank you for your feedback! Yes, this is also the info we got for many other readers: you can get a Z visa in Hong Kong, but only if the invitation letter specifies that you apply in Hong Kong
Hello David,
I’m in a similar situation to you, as in I am British and I don’t have HK residency but need to apply for a Z-Visa in HK…
All I wanted to ask you was did you apply through an agency or directly through the Chinese consular in HK?
Thanks!
Only just saw this message. My answer will be too late, but may help someone else. I applied on my own at the Consulate. The cost was only 360 HKD.
Hello! I’m a Chilean passport holder, and I’m interested in applying for a Chinese Business Visa in HK. I currently live in China.
The thing is that I already have an M Visa, which I have extended twice. Do you think I’m gonna be able to get a new Business Visa?
Thank you in advance!
Hola Juan (si quieres puedes visitar nuestra sección en español), you can probably get a new one in Hong Kong, just explain your situation to the agency we suggest in the article and they will tell you which kind of visa they can get for you.
I’m a British citizen living in Hong Kong (with residence permit), and I’d like to get a two-year multi-entry tourist visa which as of Jan 2016 is now the standard issuance if getting a visa in London. Does anyone know if the Consular Department Office in Hong Kong are now issuing these (their website is very out of date).
Hello, we are not sure about that; you shall get in touch with the Chinese Consular Office in HK to make sure you can get the 2 year multi-entry also in HK
Did you find out? I have read now that the default visa issued in London is 2 year multiple entry but i’ve not heard if its possible to get this at another consulate.
Hi all ,
i got M visa one year multiple-entry visa 30 days per stay , and actually i want stay here in china around a year , so the question is ,when i do visa run every 30 days , will be any problem at the immigration when i cross the border and re-enter same day , will they suspect cuz i got alot of chinese exit&enter stamps on my passport :D . and btw i already did visa run five times .thanks in advance
We never listen about problems to have a lot of Chinese stamps, if you have the visa it should not be a problem. The only problem would be when you’ll have to renew this visa.
thanks for your reply Sborto , yea , i already got it , but what kinda problems i’ll face when i have to renew the visa ? is that because of the stamps or what ??
thanks again :)
The problem you may face it’s that they consider (checking your stamps) that you are living in China and not doing business. You may not have any problem, but this depens on your luck or the ability of the agency that get the visa for you.
got it , Thanks man .
As of late 2015 they WILL NOT GIVE certain countries a tourist visa in Hong Kong if it is their first application. These countries MUST apply from their home country for the first time. They will just look at the cover of your passport and send you away. Only if you have previously applied for a visa in your home country on some occation will they then allow you to apply again in HK. Apparently it is a failry new rule, and I struggle to find info on which countries belong to this group.
Hello Glob,
yes, however this requirement changes all the time; there is also a list of countries whose citizens can’t apply in Hong Kong, for instance Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt and many other African and Asian countries. However, as said, this list changes quite often.
Hi all,
I (Dutch) want to travel to China in march for about 50 days. I have a new passport now but in the past in my old passport i got several Chinese tourist visa and last year in had an student visa. I heard they are likely to refuse a 60 day tourist visa with so many pervious visa. Does anybody have some more info on this matter? What are my best options (documentation, travel plans?)
Raymond at the present moment it’s difficult to get a 60 day tourist visa, normally the best option is to try to get a two entry tourist visa (30 days each), you can go to Hong Kong before the 30 first days and then reenter to China.
Hello Furio,
I’m a Kazakhstan citizen, studying in HK. I’ve got a student visa expiring in March, 2016.
Can I apply for a tourist visa to China (for a week maximum, for New Year)?
Thanks!
Hello,
yes, you can apply in Kong Kong
Hey there love the site very helpful I just need to know how can I get a visa to go to Guangzhou China as I’m getting married I got a visa for 30 days in June 26 2015 but did stay for 2 weeks I want to go back to China to marry my partner who is Chinese and she is pregnant and I will be emigrating there the question is do I need to show them a return plane ticket and a invitation letter I’m going to be flying back over to Hong Kong December 23rd to apply for double entry as we will be having our honeymoon in Hong Kong can you give me any advice
it depends on what VISA you want to do! If you just need a tourist VISA, you can do it in Hong Kong. Yes, it’s better if you have the flight tickets
I am a Singaporean and possess a Temporary Travel Document validated as “passport valid for Hong Kong SAR and return to Singapore via the above countries”.
I have tried applying for a visa to HK but the staff at the China Embassy verbally confirmed that there is no need to.
A friend of mine leaving for HK today, has the exact same document. However, she was not allowed entry by the airport check-in staff as she did not have the visa to enter HK.
She headed back to China Embassy and was again told she did not require the visa.
Your advise please.
Hello, you need a VISA for Hong Kong or for China? Because the two things are completely different and, from your message, you problem is not clear at all!