China Visas?

[China Flyer]

I am thinking of taking a family member with me on a trip to Beijing in February (magic, eh: I can see the roster already...:()

Apart from it being very cold, can anyone here help with some info on a visa? Can you get one on arrival, or do I need to organise it in HKG before departure? They hold an Aussie and UK passport.

Thank you and Happy New Year to all.

[Phlaps 40]

They will require a Visa, obtained in HKG (or any Chinese embassy) before departure. Rush and Express options available at a price.

DIY in HKG at the Visa Office in Wanchai. Address/Office hours/Enquiry service (http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/bgfwxx/)
It's a circus. Queue jumping, long waits, etc but it's at cost price.

You can have someone else do the work for you (travel agent or 'China Travel' at 50 to 150% mark up.

If your family member has a HKID they are eligible for a multiple entry visa. Take the original, a photocopy, the passport that has their HKG employment visa and a photo.

Good luck.

[D.B.er]

Apparently it is much more expensive to get the China Visa on a British Passport than an Australian one.

[moosp]

DB I think that is explained with the delightful phrase, "...in the interests of reciprocity, foreign passport holders from xxxxx country will be charged at the rate that Chinese citizens are charged for a visa to that country."

It came in after America started charging for visas for Chinese, and snowballed from there.

Vietnam is another case in point. The price varied depending on which passport you have, last year when I applied.

[4 driver]

Reciprocity.....the Brazilians fingerprint and photograph Americans only.
A little off topic, but serves 'em right,,,,

[iceman50]

Ever tried using the web - visa search function rather than getting someone else to do your work for you? :ugh::ugh::ugh:

Procedure for application submission (http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/syjy/)

[boxjockey]

Iceman,

You truly are a sad little man.....

box

[iceman50]

Box

Just not "Gen. X" that expects everything to handed to me on a plate. We are supposed to be professionals who can make decisions and think for ourselves. Posts like yours and the initial post, just prove "The Managements" opinion of us.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[China Flyer]

Thanks to all for your info and help; yes. even iceman.

You know, when you sit in the "rest deck" and shoot the breeze, sometimes you get to learn stuff from your fellow aviators - I know I do.

Sometimes it's about relationships, other times its about building products, or the latest PC, or a cool way to interpret the AFTLs, or a great place to eat....

I don't live in the same country as my family member, and neither of us live in HKG; it has been valuable to compare the method that exists in my home country with the procedures offered up here.

Thanks.