How to Get a China Visa in Hong Kong

A person traveling to Hong Kong may not need a visa, but will definitely need one to enter mainland China. If you have made it to Hong Kong and would like to travel to the People's Republic of China, there are a couple of options you can pick from.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Valid passport (at least three months old)
• Valid photo ID
• Money
• Telephone
• Internet access

1. Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the People's Republic Of China (PRC). Its office is open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can provide visitor's and tourist's visas, as well as business visas to China.

2. Or go to the China Travel Service (CTS). They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time on Mondays through Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. CTS can only offer tourist visas to China.

3. Either way, bring a valid passport. Your passport must be at least three months old.

4. Bring your latest photo I.D. (with a passport-size picture).

5. It is highly advisable that you call first before going to either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the China Travel Service, just to make sure that they are open. This is especially important if you are not aware of legal holidays that are celebrated in Hong Kong. You can also confirm the addresses of the offices (which we have omitted due to the potential for changes).

6. Find out how much the visa application costs to process, and bring enough money to pay. It is advisable to pay in local currency, but U.S. dollars are accepted as well.

7. Find out how fast you can get your visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for PRC will process your visa the same day. At the CTS, however, you may need to wait five days.

Tips & Warnings

• If you already know that you want to visit China while you are in Hong Kong, you may want to get the visa in your country of origin far in advance of your trip. This will eliminate the hassle you may encounter in Hong Kong. Some travel agencies may help you obtain your Chinese visa in advance or in Hong Kong.
• Beware of people who may pretend to be representatives of the two aforementioned offices. Deal with the people behind the counters and not those outside or in the lobby. Some people may also pretend to be travel agents and ask for payment. Although some may be legitimate, you may run into others who are not. Check credentials before agreeing to do business with anyone.