China visa at Laos border
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Dec 3, 2012 2:59 AM Last Post By: kucinta
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China visa at Laos border
Hi Everyone. I seem to remember someone posting something about China issuing visas at it's border with Laos, Think it was Mengla and saying it was considered a special location? Anyone know anymore and if so what about chances of 3 months?If not wondering about best place in S/East Asia to get a 3 month China visitors visa?
Also is it always easy to get a 3 month China visa extended by another month?
Thanks theworldjog.
1
You've heard wrong. Unless you're one of a very select few nationalities (I think it's only Japan and Singapore), you need a visa in advance to enter China, and that includes the border with Laos (I've been through that border recently). To get a 3 month visa, you'll almost certainly have to apply either in your home country or in Hong Kong. Elsewhere, it's very rare to get 3-month tourist visas, though I don't have personal experience in South-East Asia. All Chinese tourist visas can be extended twice within China, for 1 month each time, generally without too much hassle provided you get the extension in the right city. Getting a second extension on a 3-month visa may well be a little tricky though. If you want to spend a long time in China (more than 3 months), the best bet at the moment is to make trips to Hong Kong to get new visas.3
I think you are misunderstanding the visa.The usual Chinese visa allows someone to stay 30 days in China. You would have 3 months to use the visa. That 'clock' would start ticking immediately. Less common visas are those that allow you to stay 60 or 90 days in China. i agree that you probably need to apply in your own country to get that one.
4
The 3-month visas in Hong Kong do start "ticking" immedietely. They also issue regular visas in Hong Kong that don't start "ticking" immedietely, but you'll probably only get these for 30 days. Outside of your home country, I think you're very unlikely to get a normal 90-day visa, which doesn't start "ticking" immedietely. Even 60 days may well be difficult to impossible, and given that getting Chinese visas is becoming more and more difficult, you should be happy if you get a standard 30 day visa.5
If you look around the web, I think you will find some propaganda about visas on arrival at the Laos border, including I believe a picture of the visa on arrival service desk. But as with a lot of announcements like this, implementation never catched up with the propaganda, though it does create a lot of confusion.http://mekongtourism.org/website/about-mtco/what-is-the-gms/visa-border-crossings-information/china-visa-border/
7
#6I think "the visa on the HK-China border" is mainly the one that is just for Shenzhen, and only lasts 5 days, and is only available for certain nationalities (principally not US passport holders). There are occasional reports that full Chinese visas are available at the border, but I think this is more a case of using a CTS office at the border, paying a very high fee, and then getting a visa in several hours.
8
No,I am not talking about Shenzen visa;you can get regular tourist visa on spot.My friend used this facility many timesarriving without any visa by ferry in port Shohou from HK airport.I checked this thing in main border in LoWu 2 months ago.
Visa office is located NEXT to Shenzen Visa office,it is just window,which change money as well.I used Shenzen visa that time.Guy told me price(express fee),what he can give me - 2X30 days and what he want(hotel reservation).
10
I am sorry,I am answering with delay.I did not see any list of nationalities in ChinaVisa window.There is one in ShenzenVisaOffice - with price list.
I tried to obtain this info in competent places in HK,but I failed;they kept telling:
"we are here to issue visas,we dont know situation at the border,some French people were turned back,better arrange visa with us".
The fact is,that sometimes situation is changing and nobody knows.But now,I think - it is stable.
Visa offices at the border are located between HK and China,you are stamped out of HK already.
I will be there soon,I will ask officer;what country are you interested about?UK - is OK,US - not in Shenzen,may be in China.
