China visas
Visit visas to the People's Republic of China can be issued in Hong Kong. If it is a professional visit that requires a letter from a local sponsor, you'll better issue the visa in the Chinese embassy at your home country (even though it can be issued in Hong Kong), but if it is a tourist visit that you are planning, there shouldn't be a problem to obtain the visa in Hong Kong.
Applicants have to fill the form and submit it together with a passport size photo and a valid passport (for at least six months after the planned departure date from China). Your passport must, of course, have at least one blank page for the visa stamp. The process takes about 3-4 working days and can sometimes be faster than that, in cases of genuine urgency.
Applications should be made at :
Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong
7th Floor, Lower Block, China Resources Building,
No.26, Harbor Road,
Wanchai,
Hong Kong SAR
Tel : 34132424
Opening hours : Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00 (closed on public holidays)
For more information and forms : www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/bgfwxx/default.htm
Important note: as in November 2008, they currently issue visas only to Hong Kongers (that is because of the high demand which they can't cope with...). Foreigners are therefore requested to issue the visa in the Chinese embassy at their home country, until further notice... (If you are "stuck" in HK without a Chinese visa... I guess they will help you...)
Applications can also be submitted through authorized agents, as follows :
China Travel Services (HK) Ltd. : www.ctshk.com/english/useful/chinesevisa.htm
Sunrise International: http://www.chinavisa.com.hk/
Forever Bright Trading Ltd. : http://www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk/
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An important tip from 'Metropolasia-Man' :
Travelers who wish to visit the city of Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong, can, in most cases, get an instantly issued 5 days special visa for Shenzhen area. The visa is issued at the 'visa office' of Lo Wu border crossing (upstairs after clearing Hong Kong immigration and customs), it costs RMB 160 or more (depends on your nationality) and the whole process normally takes less than 10 minutes.
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The 'visa office' is open daily, from 9am till 9:30pm, BUT, as visas are not issued to all nationalities (US, French and Indian nationals, for instance, can not get this special visa), it is advisable to call the 'visa office' on phone and find out what are the regulations, before you actually head to the border.
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Their phone number is +86 755 8232 7700 and you'll better ask the receptionist at your hotel to do the talking for you, as they do not necessarily speak English...
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Macau visa
As in Hong Kong, Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas. For more information, see the visitor visas info in our Macau travel basics section.
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You may also want to read about...
When to come? What to wear? What to bring?
Customs and Immigration
Money, Communications, Time and other small daily stuff
Emergency - what to do in case of a problem
Health & Hygiene
