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VioletStar October 27th, 2006

Not many people know that it is VERY easy and fast to apply a visa to China in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong China Travel Services offices issue China visas. Their office are very convenient (can go by Mass Transit Railways – Subway system in Hong Kong). They can issue a China visa within 3 days or even on the same day if you are willing to pay extra. You may do some good shopping in Hong Kong (electronics are always the catch – latest models and NO sales tax)while waiting for your China visa. You may also enjoy a 8 minute boat ride across the beautiful harbor. Citizens of United Kingdom can stay in Hong Kong for up to 180 days without a visa. Citizens of USA, Canada and Australia can stay in Hong Kong for up to 90 days without a visa. Details for Hong Kong visa requirement. Please check on Hong Kong Immigration website:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

As for the application requirement for the China information, here are the information extracted from Hong Kong China Travel Service website (www.ctshk.com). Don’t forget to choose English as your language on the website.

A China visa for overseas passport holders is required when traveling to the Chinese Mainland. Hong Kong and Macau have their own visa requirements though most travelers do not need a visa to visit these two Special Administrative Regions.

There are different types of visas but the most common for touring China is a single entry tourist visa valid for up to 30 days from issuance, that can be easily obtained through an embassy of the PRC or a CTS office.

1. Apply at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in your country of residence or approach an Embassy (Consulate) of PRC in a neighboring country.
2. Apply at an overseas CTS branch in your country of residence.
3. If you are first traveling to Hong Kong, you can entrust the visa application at a branch office of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited. The most convenient is located near to the Star Ferry on the Kowloon side because they are open 7 days a week and they can arrange for a visa in just a few hours, if necessary.
The address is at 1/F.,Alpha House,27-33 Nathan Rd., Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel : 852-2315 7188 Fax : 852-2315 7292
E-mail:ctsdmd@ctshk.com

Category of Visa Processing Time Handling Fee(HKD)
(Valid from Mon-Fri only)
Single Entry Visa Ordinary 3 working days 210
Express 2 working days 360
One-day Pickup 1 working day 480
Double Entry Visa Ordinary 3 working days 350
Express 2 working days 500
One-day Pickup 1 working day 620
Half Year Multiple Entry Visa Ordinary 3 working days 850
Express 2 working days 1150
One-day Pickup 1 working day 1400

Documents for visa applications
1. Valid passport or documents for travel in origin files;
2. One photo for visa application;
3. Fill in the Visa Application Form with applicant’s signature attached whereon;
4. For those who immigrate by HKID, please bring along with HKID for application.

Remarks: The above charge is not applicable for following 21 countries, please call for further information. (Tel: 23157188)

1. U.S.A.
2. Brazil
3. Belarus
4. Ukraine
5. Uzbekistan
6. Kazakhstan
7. Armenia
8. Moldova
9. Ecuador
10. Angola
11. Ethiopia
12. Gabon
13. Cameroon
14. United Kingdom
15. Panama
16. Chile
17. Bolivia
18. Republic of Congo
19. Iran
20. The Republic of Cote D’ivoire
21. Venezuela

1. The visa applicant must be the holder of valid passport or documents for travel purpose. In case the documents or passport hereof are about to expire (should be at least a half year validity from the date for visa application) or there is no blank page attached on purpose of applying for visa, it is required to extend the validity of passport/travel documents or to have a makeup of the blank page before applying for visa.
2. Please fill in the application form all required blanks with authentic and correct information and no alterations permitted.
3. The applicant age below 18 should fill in and sign by parent. Must provide copy of the birth document, one of parents passport with the application form. (For the US passport holder, should provide both parents passport copy.)
4. You may pick up your visa categorized as “Ordinary” after 14:00 on the 3rd working day;Visa categorized as “Express” available after 14:00 on the 2nd working day; Visa categorized as “One-day Pickup” available after 17:30 if you apply before 12:00 the same day.
5. For emergency, visa can be available within a half day even during duty-off time and public holidays of Hong Kong when, our Tsimshatsui branch and Mongkok branch are still in operation. In emergency case, an additional handling fee is required.
6. We are authorized to handle multi-entrance visa, visa extension and group visa.
7. The valid days for the single Entry Visa is 30, and the valid days for the double Entry Visa is 90.
8. Apply for the Half Year Multiple Entry Visa should provide the company name & address with the application form.

The above information is for reference only.

As you see, US passport holder will need to pay a little bit more for the visa (as more work need to be done to issue the visa). But it is of very reasonable price. The exchange of HKD to USD is 7.8 to 1

As I can recall, CTS does have a counter set up at Hong Kong International Airport Arrival Hall. They may be able to do the One Day Pick up service there. Please contact CTS office to check out.

Violet Star

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