China multi- visa ban
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: North Amercia
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
China multi- visa ban
Anyone know definitively if China's recent multi- visa ban includes Crew visas?
see SCMP today's article herewith--
MULTI-ENTRY VISA BAN UNTIL AFTER GAMES HURDLE TO MAINLAND TRIPS FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
Samantha Spiro
Apr 06, 2008
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.
Travellers 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.
The move has surprised Howard Young, the tourism sector legislator.
"The ban will create a lot of inconvenience. I hope it's only temporary," Mr Young said.
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.
see SCMP today's article herewith--
MULTI-ENTRY VISA BAN UNTIL AFTER GAMES HURDLE TO MAINLAND TRIPS FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
Samantha Spiro
Apr 06, 2008
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.
Travellers 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.
The move has surprised Howard Young, the tourism sector legislator.
"The ban will create a lot of inconvenience. I hope it's only temporary," Mr Young said.
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.
here's your chance to show the rest of the world just how efficient you are 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: airport
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another ground breaking idea by the heads of the the Communist Party of China (CPC) to cash in on these stupid visitors who still didn't change their mind of visiting china for the Olympics.
My multiple-entry visa expires June 2006, I guess I won't be there for the games. I'd rather spend my visa fees for a few days in sunny Phuket ;-)
My multiple-entry visa expires June 2006, I guess I won't be there for the games. I'd rather spend my visa fees for a few days in sunny Phuket ;-)
Things are getting tougher for foreigners in China (and HK)
From the today's rumour section of crikey.com.au
In addition to the stuff about tightening visa applications I got this today:
Due to the recent political tensions and as Olympic games draw near, Chinese authorities have strengthened the controls of foreigners. This concerns all foreigners requiring a working and/or residence permit, including Hong Kong citizen posted in China or family members of expatriates. The security reinforcement is visible at all levels: visa policy: visas are delivered on case-by-case basis (even leisure visa) and multi-entry business visas (F visa) issued in HKG have now a maximum stay of 30 days and maximum 2 entries residence permits for partners (not married) are not granted in BJS anymore (even if they concluded a PACS or have children) foreigners are more and more controlled at home (recent example of AF foreigner controlled at 7am): the police checks the working/residence documents, as well as the apartment to make sure that there is no 'hidden' office foreign visitors must be declared at the local police station within 24 hours upon arrival. Foreigners with a residence permit in China must declare their return at the local police station every time they leave the country (even to HKG) - within 24 hours.
cf. mail sent last week. Foreigners do not enjoy any "special" treatment anymore when the police controls bars or discos (especially regarding drug consumption or prostitution). Not complying with the regulations can bring you into serious troubles (from a fine up to deportation, banning order or even prison sentence). You can not count on permissiveness or leniency anymore, but rather the contrary. Considering the current context, it is of the utmost importance that our daily behaviour strictly abides by the Chinese rules and custom. I would be highly appreciated if you could pass this message on to the any other expats in your team.
cf. mail sent last week. Foreigners do not enjoy any "special" treatment anymore when the police controls bars or discos (especially regarding drug consumption or prostitution). Not complying with the regulations can bring you into serious troubles (from a fine up to deportation, banning order or even prison sentence). You can not count on permissiveness or leniency anymore, but rather the contrary. Considering the current context, it is of the utmost importance that our daily behaviour strictly abides by the Chinese rules and custom. I would be highly appreciated if you could pass this message on to the any other expats in your team.
