How to Get A Chinese Visa in Hong Kong
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on January 24, 2024:
1. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
2. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. China will be 15-day visa free for Ireland and Switzerland soon.
3. China will gradually phase out the appointment system for visa applications. As of now, nearly 100 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented the "walk-in" system, and it is expected that all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will have implemented the "walk-in" system by the end of this year.
4. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."
5. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.
6. The 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporean citizens has been resumed.
7. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.
8. Make the following adjustments to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023 Beijing time:
1). The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 and still valid will be restored.
2). Overseas visa offices will resume issuing various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.
3). Port visa offices will resume issuing various types of port visas for lawful purposes.
4). The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong for Tourist group entry of foreigners from Hong Kong, Macau, and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi will be restored.
9. Attention on China Group Visa on Arrival in Nepal: needs minimum 4 applicants, and no maximum limit. All applicants from one list must all come to the Visa Center for application.
10. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!
We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years
Can I (a foreigner) apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is one of the top international tourist cities which also serves as an important gateway city to Shenzhen, Guangdong and China's mainland. If needed, foreign passport holders may apply and get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong, and then travel further to China's mainland from Hong Kong to discover more fantastic scenery, culture and history. Certain tourists even can make full use of China’s free transit policy to have a short visa-free layover tour in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chengdu, etc.
With extraordinary charm and favourable entry policy, Hong Kong attracts numerous foreign tourists each year. Due to shorted travel time and a variety of tourism resources, Hong Kong-China's mainland Tour becomes more and more easy and popular. During your trip in Hong Kong, it’s very simple and convenient to get a China Visa to enjoy such a combined tour, especially with our help, providing related Invitation Letter, application instruction and other help.
Before prepare application, please check China Visa Free Policy to find out if you really need a China Visa. If yes, then judge your purpose of visit to decide to apply which type of China Visa.
China Tourist Visa (old version used before June 1, 2019) Issued in Hong Kong
Below are documents required for a China Visa (take Tourist Visa as example)：
Basic Requirements:
● Passport
Original passport which should has a validity of at least 6 months and over 2 blank pages. Make copy of the passport’s data page, already used visa pages, former China Visa if had.
● China Visa Application Form
Option 1: Fill in online application form at http://www.visaforchina.org..
Print the completed form out, write down application date and sign on the paper form
Option 2: Download the latest version of China Visa Application Form (v.2013 - 4 pages in total) and finish the form and sign it.
● Photo
At least 2 recently-taken (within last 6 months) passport-size color photos which are against a light background. (Size: 38mmX48mm)
Useful Link: China Visa Photo Requirements
● Others
1.) Proof of legal entry, stay, residence in another country or region, if you not apply in your home country.
2.) Previous Chinese passport & copy of the data page, if you used to be a Chinese citizen and apply China Visa the first time. If you had got China Visa before, please provice photocopy of the data page, photo paga, previous China Visa page of your old Chinese passport.
Supporting Documents:
● Travel related documents: round-trip (flight, train, ship) tickets, hotel booking, travel itinerary, etc.
● An Invitation Letter: if you’re inviteed to travel to China, please prepare formal Invitation Letter by the invited individual or unity.
Warm Tips: Travel with China Discovery, we can provide you Invitation Letter to help you obtain China Visa and any other assistance you need.
Passport is Required when Applying China Visa in HK
Log in Visa Center Website to Complete Application Form & Make Appointment
Booking Air Tickets and Hotel for China Tourist Visa Application
Since January 22nd 2018, foreigners holding ordinary passports are required to submit visa application through Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Hong Kong SAR will not accept any visa application of ordinary passport holders, except diplomatic, service passports applicants.
Note: The service center only accept application, and whether to issue or not, the final decision is still made by the Commissioner’s office.
About China Visa Application Service in Hong Kong:
Location: 20F, Capital Center, No.151 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone: (852) 29921999
Fax: 852) 34132345, (852) 29891116
Email: hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org
Website: http://www.visaforchina.org
Working Days: Monday to Friday (closed on public holidays).
Submission Hours: 9:00-16:00 (urgent service must be submitted before 12:00)
Pick-up Hours: Regular Service 10:00-17:00; Express and Urgent Service 12:00 to 17:00.
China Visa Application Serivice Center in Hong Kong
Bring All Prepared Documents to Submit via China Visa Application Service Center in Hong Kong
Following are our step-by-step guides to apply for a China Visa in Hong Kong:
Step 1 - complete the China Visa Application Form & prepare required documents
Choose one of the two above mentioned ways to prepare your visa application form. Don’t forget to paste a photo on the application form, and make pre-scheduled appointment online after filling the form. China Discovery is always ready to help, if you find it’s difficult to finish the form on your own.
Step 2 - submit the application & choose visa service
Bring all the required documents, visit the China Visa Application Service before the appointed time. Upon arrival, scan your passport to get a queue number. Submit to the center staff when be called, choose visa service. Receive a payment notice and pay relevant fees at the counter. Keep the pick-up slip for later collection.
Step 3 - pick up your passport and visa
Check the date informed on the slip and visit the service center to collect back your passport and visa. You can get it by yourself, or entrust your friend or travel agency to help you.
China Visa Application Service Center will collect visa fees and express service fees, ugrnet service fees on behalf of the Commissioner’s office. At the same time, the center will charge service fees. So total cost = visa application fee + service fee (download detailed schedules of fees here.)
| Nationality |
Regular Application (Visa Fee+Service Fee) |
Express Service (Visa Fee+Service Fee) |
Urgent Service (Visa Fee+Service Fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.A | HK$1,340 = HK$1,100 + HK$240 | HK$1,550 = HK$1,100 + HK$450 | HK$2,000 = HK$1,100 + HK$900 |
| UK | HK$1,180 = HK$940 + HK$240 | HK$1,390 = HK$940 + HK$450 | HK$1,840 = HK$940 + HK$900 |
| Canada | HK$850 = HK$610 + HK$240 | HK$1,060 = HK$610 + HK$450 | HK$1,510 = HK$610 + HK$900 |
|
Others (non-reciprocal states) - Regular Application as Example |
Single Entry: Visa Fee: HK$550+Service Fee: HK$240=HK$790 Double Entry: Visa Fee: HK$710+Service Fee: HK$240=HK$1950 Multiple Entry (6 Months): Visa Fee: HK$860+Service Fee: HK$240=HK$1,100 Multiple Entry (1 Year & above): Visa Fee: HK$1170+Service Fee: HK$240=HK$1,410 |
||
Notes: 1.) Cash & Debit Card are the only accepted payment by China Visa Application Serivce Center in Hong Kong. 2.) For citizens of U.S.A, UK, Canada, Australia, the visa fees for single entry, double entry, multiple entry (for 6 months, 1 year or longer) is the same.
General China Vis processing time depends which application service you choose to use. There are three kinds of services available. Despite the typicla processing time, the Commissioner’s office has right to request interview or send supplementary materials for longer procedures.
Regular Service: about 4 working days
Express Service: about 3 working days
Urgent Service： about 2 working days (urgent service must be submitted before 12:00)
Currently, there are four major transportation methods tourists can take to get to China's mainland from Hong Kong, including taking flight, train, bus and ferry.
1. By Flight
Hong Kong operates lots of daily flights to about 50 cities in China's mainland, such as most popular tourist destinations - Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, etc. Check Hong Kong Flight Schedules here >>
Related HK-China's Mainland Tours (by flight):
- 7 Days Vibrant & Ancient China Tour from Hong Kong
- 8 Days Hong Kong Xian Beijing Essence Tour
- 11 Days Authentic China Tour from Hong Kong
- 11 Days Authentic China Tour from Hong Kong
2. By Train
High Speed Train - Within few hours in a single day, you can travel from Hong Kong to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilink, Tianjin, Xiamen, Nanning, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, and very close Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Futian, Chaoshan, Shantou, Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province by fast and convenient high speed rails.
Useful Link: Hong Kong to China's Mainland High Speed Bullet Trains
(Normal Speed) Through Train - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Foshan and Changping has direct ordinary trains to Hong Kong Hung Hom Station.
Useful Link: Guangzhou Hong Kong Through Train
Related HK-China's Mainland Tours (by bullet train):
- 5 Days Hong Kong to Shanghai Megacities Fashion Tour
- 6 Days Guilin In-depth Tour from Hong Kong
- 6 Days Hong Kong Beijing High Speed Train Experience Tour
- 8 Days Hong Kong Xian Beijing Essence Tour
3. By Long-distance Coach
You can take bus to Zhuhai from Hong Kong through the newly-built Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (world’s longest sea-crossing bridge), or cross Luohu Port or other ports to transfer to neighboring Shenzhen in the north.
4. By Ferry
Ferries between Hong Kong and (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan...) Guangdong Province, Macau are also available.
Useful Links: How to Get to Hong Kong | How to Get around Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport
Enjoy Hong Kong-China's Mainland Bullet Train Journey
Hong Kong Bullet Train Map (click to enlarge)
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
Special Notes: If you join in Hong Kong tour group to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai Special Economic Zones, you may apply a Shenzhen Visa on Arrival, which is a short-term special Chinese Visa (Special Economic Tourist Visa) issued at the border ports. Some also calls the Visa on Arrival - Same Day China Visa. Besides, international transit passengers meeting related requirements are allowed to apply 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption if transit in certain airports and heading to a third country (region) afterwards.
Most Recommended China Destinations from Hong Kong:
>> Travel from Hong Kong to Beijing | Travel from Hong Kong to Guilin
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any support & help you need to for a China tour. With a Chinese Visa, you can freely travel to many cities in China's Mainland, among all, taking a trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangtze Delta Area from Hong Kong are the most popular and top-ranked choices. Besides, transfer from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and other cities in Guangdong is also an excellent and convenient travel. If you like, you can visit Xian, Chengdu and more destinations in China's Mainland to discovery different regional culture, history and local customs.
You may choose from our Best China Tours from Hong Kong, or just contact us, tell your interests and travel plans, we could customize a perfect China tour as you like.
Introduction to China Visa
- Ultimate China Visa Guide
- Do I Neee A Visa for China
- Chinese Visa Types
- How to Read China Visa
- Single, Double, Multiple Entry Visa
- China Tourist Visa
China Visa Application
- How to Apply for China Visa
- China Visa Requirements
- China Visa Application Form
- China Visa Photo Size
- Visa Invitation Letter
- China Visa Application Online
- How Much is A China Visa
- How Long to Get A China Visa
- Lost Passport & China Visa
China Visa Exemptions
Recommended Tours
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
14 Days China Leisure Tour from Hong Kong
Hong Kong / Beijing / Xian / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai
21 Days China Holiday with Yangtze River Cruise Tour
Hong Kong / Guilin / Chengdu / Yangtze Cruise / Zhangjiajie / Shanghai / Xian / Beijing
15 Days Grand China Experience Tour from Hong Kong
Hong Kong / Guilin / Longsheng / Yangshuo / Chengdu / Lhasa / Xian / Beijing
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.
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