Travelers to mainland China are now issued single- or double-entry 30-day China visas only due to the concern of the Beijing Government over security issue during the Olympic Games, according to the report in South China Morning Post (SCMP). No wonder there are people coming to this blog asking about how to get a multiple-entry China visa after being refused one.
Here’s the April 6 report from SCMP, for your information:
Beijing has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas, risking major inconvenience to foreigners who travel to the mainland regularly, especially on business. Hong Kong travel agents say the ban will stay in place until after the Olympic Games.
Travelers are now restricted to single- or double-entry visas valid for 30 days. Multiple-entry visas that have not expired are still valid.
Andrew Work, executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said the ban would create serious inconvenience for foreigners living and working in Hong Kong.“This is a real hassle for foreign small- and medium-sized business owners … it’s bound to slow business down and we hope that normal access to the mainland will be restored soon.”
One travel agent who declined to be named said: “People have been asking to renew their multiple-entry visas but no one can get more than a double-entry visa. We were told this was because of the Olympics and that the ban would be lifted in September after the Games had finished.”
Daryl Bending, of Concord Travel, said even permanent Hong Kong residents who had previously been given three-year multiple-entry visas were affected.
“No one is being given more than a double-entry visa. The reason given was the Olympics but there were suggestions that after the Games things would return to normal,” he said.
Agents said they were told of the move on March 27. Hong Kong-based China-visa agency Forever Bright says on its website the ban will apply until October 17.
The Office of the Foreign Ministry Commissioner in Hong Kong was unavailable for comment.
Mr Work said: “I found out at a chamber meeting for the chairs of all the chambers in Hong Kong. It’s headed by [Chief Secretary] Henry Tang Ying-yen. At the end of the meeting someone mentioned the ban on multiple-entry visas. It took us all by surprise. Even Henry Tang didn’t know.”
A senior source from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce said: “We have got similar complaints and this will hinder business activities.”
A government spokesman said: “The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce recently raised concern about new visa arrangements implemented by mainland authorities and the administration is looking into the matter.”
Travel agents also said the cost of single- and double-entry visas had risen.The typical cost of a single-entry visa obtained through a travel agent for a British passport holder is now HK$850 for a single-entry visa and HK$1,050 for a double-entry one. At the end of last year, a six-month multiple-entry visa cost HK$1,080.
Australians, Canadians and most Europeans can expect to pay HK$500 for a single-entry visa and HK$600 for a double-entry one. Six-month multiple-entry visas for these nationalities previously cost about HK$450.
Visas are taking longer to process. Paul Porter, a lawyer and regular mainland visitor, said he had been told a visa now takes four days.
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[...] As Journey to Nowhere reports from the SCMP (which stoically continues to charge for online content): Beijing has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas, risking major inconvenience to foreigners who travel to the mainland regularly, especially on business. Hong Kong travel agents say the ban will stay in place until after the Olympic Games. [...]
The Sunday SCMP quotes from a source at Forever Bright but their website shows the same 3 or 6 month multi entry visas that have been on there for some months. Might be a media scare. Check around before you believe it. Give Forever Bright a call, and others too.
Dont’ think this is a media scare. The news was widely reported on Hong Kong TV last night, with comments from foreign business chambers.
… isn’t a media scare, I try to apply a multiple entry visa yesterday either trough the china travel agency in kowloon and directly to the china consulate in wan chai but no way only single or double entry visa with three month validity !!?? at the agency and at the consulate they can’t really answer you why !!
This is really funny, instead of be more open for olympic games china become more close, not easy to understand ….
hi, i also went to apply for a business visa, and got only 3 months double entry with the duration stay of only 15 days each entry, this sucks big time, whice means i only got 1 month, after my visa expires, is it possible to just get issued another 1 month, please anyone who knows please drop me a mail.
Im not done with my work and its not possible for me to leave china just yet.
If that’s the game China is going to play then other countries need to slap the same restrictions on China’s many travelers holding official passports and wanting visas. It’s supposed to be reciprical.
This is something I have been covering on All Roads for 2 months now. I have heard from multiple sources that have had to fly to HK to extend visas, and apply for new visas, that the regulations are in place.. and are being enforced.
It was something that was coming for a long time as they had pass a new visa guidelines last year, and have taken this long to put everything in place.
Expect this to last through the Olympics, and longer as this is seen widely as an effort to stop an industry of foreigners working in China on non-working visas. Something I believe many countries have also put in place.
Anybody have any info on the visa extension process? For example, if I get my 30 day visa, and want to stay longer, would I have to go to Hong Kong to apply for a new one, or could I just do it within the Mainland?
Yikes! I am currently coming to the end of the first 90 days of my 6-month multi-entry tourist visa. I plan to go to HK and then re-enter for another 90 days. These are the terms of my valid visa. Are they going to let me get back in? This is vital info because I don’t want to spend 4000 yuan going to HK otherwise. Please help with real info not only guesses. Thank you very much.
Dear Anna,
I am contemplating in doing trade business with some manufacturers in China and have actually visited some of them already. Would it be relatively easy for me to get a F visa (business visa) for say, 6 months or 1 year? Also, would it be easy for me get the F visa even before any potential deal is struck between my entity and the manufacturer ? If so, what would be required for the application (letter of intent?!?). I am a holder of a permanent resident in HK and hold both a permanent HK id and Canadian passport, but i do not qualify to be eligible for a HK-China special permit entry card. Hence, I always use a Canadian passport to enter China with a L visa. Any answers/options that may help me in getting an F visa light would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.
P. Woo,
Here is a site you might want to check: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/qzlb/default.htm
CTS HK, as of yesterday, don’t issue Multiple Entry Visa.
Hope this helps.
Does anybody know if you are married in China if it is easier to get a visa? In the past I would just do the F visa becasue it was simple. I am not sure if I should try another F visa (multiple) and hope for good results or use the marriage card which I as well have no idea if it would be a better chioce or not.
I am a Filipino and currently in Hangzhou. I entered China with an L visa and extended 2 times. The last extension I have converted my L visa to F visa. I dont think I will have enough time to process the registration of our office here and Im not sure if they will still extend my F visa. This non sense with the visas coz of the Olympics is hampering business in China! Carzy man! I dont understand! I think it will be a lesson to the Olympics not to allow the event in China again!
Zaldy
Eh people complaining here about needing F visa for work, it would have been advisable to be on a Z visa then this problem would not matter, ask you employer to get you a proper Z visa otherwise you are breaking the law in working anyways.
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