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! 
Whether or not Hong Kong is a country is a debated topic. But put it this way - it has its own currency, its own borders, its own visa regulations, its own flag and its own international football team. The British also ruled Hong Kong until as recently as 1997.
First up Hong Kong sits nicely on the border with China and so it's a perfect place to sort out your visa. There are a few immigration points between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and I've been to a few of them.
To get a China Visa in Hong Kong you don't need to look far! There are hundreds of Visa outlets in and around Hong Kong so seriously this city is the best place to get a Visa for the big next door neighbour!
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.
These days, I get double or multiple entry visas for China. But my first ever China Visa was a single entry, so do that for starters unless you are planning two trips. So where should I get the Visa done? Well as I mentioned there are countless agencies that do them in Hong Kong (and although it might be cheaper to go to the Embassy - DON'T). Use an agency. You'll get your Visa easily, no problem, on time and can collect even after normal closing hours. They will even help you fill in the form and if you don't have the things you need they will tell you what to do. These agencies often open all day Saturday, weekday nights and some even a half or part day Sunday. Yes, I know agencies charge a bit more and I'm a budget traveller but I also believe that "time is money" and these agencies are fast and helpful so they save you time. An agency I have used recently is China Travel Service (Hong Kong).
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.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A passport, valid for at least another 6 months and with space for 2 pages in it
2. One 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- 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. Attend in person to hand in the form and voila!!
There's also a fast option which you may need but I just pick the regular visa pick up time.
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
The border crossing is simple enough too.
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny Blair
Whether or not Hong Kong is a country is a debated topic. But put it this way - it has its own currency, its own borders, its own visa regulations, its own flag and its own international football team. The British also ruled Hong Kong until as recently as 1997.
First up Hong Kong sits nicely on the border with China and so it's a perfect place to sort out your visa. There are a few immigration points between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and I've been to a few of them.
To get a China Visa in Hong Kong you don't need to look far! There are hundreds of Visa outlets in and around Hong Kong so seriously this city is the best place to get a Visa for the big next door neighbour!
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.
These days, I get double or multiple entry visas for China. But my first ever China Visa was a single entry, so do that for starters unless you are planning two trips. So where should I get the Visa done? Well as I mentioned there are countless agencies that do them in Hong Kong (and although it might be cheaper to go to the Embassy - DON'T). Use an agency. You'll get your Visa easily, no problem, on time and can collect even after normal closing hours. They will even help you fill in the form and if you don't have the things you need they will tell you what to do. These agencies often open all day Saturday, weekday nights and some even a half or part day Sunday. Yes, I know agencies charge a bit more and I'm a budget traveller but I also believe that "time is money" and these agencies are fast and helpful so they save you time. An agency I have used recently is China Travel Service (Hong Kong).
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.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A passport, valid for at least another 6 months and with space for 2 pages in it
2. One 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- They'll ask if you have medical insurance - write No in that section!
- 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. Attend in person to hand in the form and voila!!
There's also a fast option which you may need but I just pick the regular visa pick up time.
There you go then for your China Visa come and get it in Hong Kong and enjoy this marvellous country of China!
The border crossing is simple enough too.
Have fun in China and live a lifestyle of travel!
Jonny Blair
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