Nigello

Where is the best/easiest/cheapest/quickest/all of the previous place for a UK citizen to get a Chian visa for 90 days in Hong Kong? If I want on the day service, what is the procedure? Also, is it open on Saturday? Thanks!

Big_Uncle_John

Depending on the Hotel where you are staying, the Concierge can arrange it for you. There are many operators that can arrange a same-day visa for you, including Saturdays.

I usually have two photos, a letter of introduction, and an invitation letter from a government agency.

Call the hotel concierge where you will be staying, and they will help you. Relax, its usually a walk in the park.

Subway_Scoundrel

If you fly into HK airport, the best way is to get it at the airport. Go to the lobby like you would exit to the trains. On the left side of the lobby is a small kiosks with 2 people standing behind it and they will charge about $120 for a same day visa. Not sure about the 90 days, you will have to do some research on that. I hear if you get there in the morning, they can get you the visa in 4 hours,. If it is later in the day, it will take overnight, which I would then take the train to HK, go out in HK, and then take the train back to pick up your visa. That is what I always I do when I go. I have heard of people going into HK and getting it in the city (not sure where). I have gotten visas on Saturday from the airport. Also, go to the HK airport web site and look under "visa"

Subway_Scoundrel

Also, the 90 day visa may be a Business Visa which you need the letter. For a tourist visa which is I think 30 days, you do not need th letter. Also, the kiosk at the airport has a guy with a camera or you can have a passport picture ready.

PeterN_H

Tourist visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days although often issued for shorter periods. In Hong Kong they have until very recently always been valid for 90 days. There are one or two reports of U.S. citizens only being given shorter periods in recent times, in a tit-for-tat row over U.S. intentions to do biometric scans on Chinese visitors.

A concierge at your hotel is the single worst and most expensive way to get a visa. Go to an agent directly yourself. Japan Travel Bureau is the cheapest I've heard of recently. The New East Ocean Centre in Science Museum road has several agents with excellent prices.

Agents are usually open at least Saturday morning. Some can even get you a visa on a Sunday, but they are already the most expensive, and will charge you more for this service.

If the price of $120 is US$ then it's a major rip-off. If it's HK$120 then it's a good price. HK$200 is more common.

There is a six month to one year multiple-entry visa (not a business visa) which is also easily obtainable in Hong Kong, and no letter is required by most agents. Again, of late U.S. citizens have had some restrictions placed on this visa, but everyone else is fine.

In general, at good agents, if you hand your passport in before noon, then you may have the visa the next day for no extra charge. If you want it back at 6pm the same day there is a slight premium. Lousy agencies such as CTS charge double prices to start with, and surcharges for processing in less than five working days.

Peter N-H
http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html