Chinese visa advice

Replies: 5 - Last Post: 04-Jul-2007 14:47 Last Post By: snagbert

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snagbert

15-Jun-2007 10:27
Posts: 7

Chinese visa advice

Hi all,

I'd like to get some advice on Chinese visas. I have visited China in the past on the standard double entry 30-Day (per visit) Tourist visa, which was valid for 3 months from date of issue. However, this time my plans are slightly different and ideally I would like a double entry 60-Day (per visit) Tourist visa to be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. I’ve read somewhere on this forum that you can easily pick up a multiple entry 6 month Business visa in Hong Kong, but I don’t think this would be suitable for me as I also wish to spend time in Tibet. Is it true that if you are entering Tibet from China, you are only able to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit if you have a valid Chinese tourist visa and not a business, resident or student visa?

In short:
I am a British citizen, unable to get a Chinese visa before leaving the UK, as I will be spending a few months in New Zealand. My plans for the next six months after this are:

1) Japan. Pick up Chinese visa in Tokyo
2) Catch the boat to China (Also spend time in Tibet)
3) Travel overland to Mongolia (Picking up Mongolian visa in Beijing)
4) Fly to Korea
5) Flight/boat back to China

Or alternatively if it would be easier to get a longer term visa from Hong Kong:

1) Hong Kong. Pick up Chinese visa
2) China & Tibet
3) Travel overland to Mongolia (picking up a Mongolian visa in Beijing)
4) Fly to Korea
5) Flight/Boat to Japan
6) Flight/Boat back to China

Any advice appreciated! Cheers in advance for your responses.

Snags

everbrite

15-Jun-2007 18:05
Posts: 16,252

Japanese passport holders can enter China without a visa for 2 weeks so I suspect that getting longer term visas for China in Japan is uncommon.

As I understand it going to Tibet does not cancel your second entry to China unless you go on to Nepal.

I don't understand why you cannot get a double entry Chinese visa in New Zealand before you depart. This would seem to me to make more sense. The last double entry visa I got was for two entries of 30 days each within 6 months. You could plan your trip so that you can extend the second entry. According to the website of the Chinese embassy in Wellington processing takes 5-7 business days and you would need a travel itinerary from a Chinese travel agency. I am sure that some company out there would be willing to assist. You might try asking on the NZ branch about getting a double entry Chinese visa there.

Getting a Chinese visa for a UK passport holder in Hong Kong is easy but more expensive than getting it elsewhere.

It would not appear that you need a multiple entry visa.

It is unclear how long you intend to be in Mongolia, Japan and Korea. This would affect the length of time of the visa.

You could get two single entry visas. The savings from a double entry visa may not be great and in fact it might be more expensive then if you have to get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong.

Sorry for the rambling reply, but it is an interesting problem with really a multitude of possible solutions.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

jiejie

16-Jun-2007 17:45
Posts: 1,148

It is NOT true that you have to enter Tibet on a tourist visa. You can enter on all other types of visas/Chinese residence permits. Doesn't look like a multiple entry business visa really makes sense for you. I suspect you will find flight-wise to be financially more advantageous to go NZ-HK and pick up a double-entry, (60 days each time) in HK. And put Japan later in your trip per Itin #2. With this method, you just need to deal once with Chinese visa issue and don't have to waste time in Korea or Japan at Chinese embassy. If while in China, you find yourself needing more time, you can go to local PSB office and get an extension on that entry, usually for 30 days (for a fee, of course).

WeiLong

16-Jun-2007 20:11
Posts: 1,735

You can pick up a tourist visa in Hong Kong and still visit Tibet. Just don't mention it on your itinerary, it won't matter. The TTB can be obtained in cities like Chengdu and Xian when you purchase your plane ticket (bus, train etc.) In HK I was offered 3mth double entry or 6mth multi, arranged through my hotel 24hr service, easy.

WeiLong in China

http://thewanderingant.com/travels/betel-nut.html

phillew

19-Jun-2007 22:51
Posts: 18

I have American Passport and obtained my Chinese visa at the Chinese Tokyo Embassy in December 2006. I was told by email and also by a person at the Embassy that they could not issue a multiple enry visa for me. Would have to be in the U.S. to get one. British passport may be different but you might want to write to their website and check. Visa time 4 working days unexpedited.

snagbert

04-Jul-2007 14:47
Posts: 7

Thanks for the responses. We've decided to take the second option and pick up our chinese visa in hong kong. Tickets are booked and we're counting the days!

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