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HK Visa Run - Anyone got an 'L' from this border agent?

 
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LongShiKong



Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China

PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:12 pm    Post subject: HK Visa Run - Anyone got an 'L' from this border agent? Reply with quote

The local Hunan PSB won't convert an 'F' to 'L' so once again, I'm off to HK. Rolling Eyes

This could save me a day--just wanted to check if anyone's used them--I know this is an old post but it seems the agent has been around for decades so I expect they're still there:

Quote:
Posted 05 June 2009 - 02:26 PM
http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/21250-visa-at-the-hong-kong-border/
Visa situation at the border crossing Hong Kong > Lowu / Luohu (checked June 4th 2009)

An update of the visa situation on the CHINA side, AFTER the HK border passport check. The place to get either visa is after the bridge, turn left, one floor up.

5 days Shenzhen SEZ visa
Again everybody can apply the 5 day SZ SEZ visa (except USA). Cost is rmb 160. This should take a few Minutes. During the Olympics only HK residents could get the SZ SEZ, it's back to all. Note that some nationalities have to pay more. See the attached picture.

Full China visa (L)
Next to the 5-day SZ SEZ visa office there is a small CITS whole in the wall visa place. They issue 1- and 2-entry visas. Takes about 1 hour. See the picture of the office. Cost is:

1 month, 1 entry (L): rmb 410
3 month, 2 entry (L): rmb 640
6 month multible rmb 1300 (only HK permanent residents)

Again, no USA passports, and some nationalities (usually banana places, plus UK) have to pay more.

Note the both' places opening times do not match the border opening time, so don't come too late.

Have questions? Call them!

Eachtravel / Mr. Liu Feng Chu (it's the visa shop on the left picture)
0755 / 8232 9401 or 1380 988 2522
[url][/url]

----------------
PS: I couldn't find anything online about Eachtravel but here's an August 2010 post on TheBeijinger.com. Seems they don't like Americans:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2010/08/27/can-canadians-still-get-a-L-visa-at-the-LOWU-border-crossing-in-SHENZHEN
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sistercream



Joined: 18 Dec 2010
Posts: 497
Location: Pearl River Delta

PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you wanted to convert an F to a Z, it would be understandable, but what can you do on an L that you can't do on an F?

They are pretty nosy at the border visa offices generally - if you wanted a same day turnaround (out, and then straight in again), it could well ring some alarm bells at Luohu CITS.

I see that site quotes the full CTS rip-off prices, too Sad
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LongShiKong



Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China

PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 2:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sistercream wrote:
If you wanted to convert an F to a Z, it would be understandable, but what can you do on an L that you can't do on an F?

They are pretty nosy at the border visa offices generally - if you wanted a same day turnaround (out, and then straight in again), it could well ring some alarm bells at Luohu CITS.

I see that site quotes the full CTS rip-off prices, too Sad


I don't need an 'F', my contract will expire and I'm planning on going home.

Since when do 'same day' visa's trigger 'alarm bells' at customs? I take it you've never had to go to HK to renew a visa.
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LongShiKong



Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China

PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 3:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's something more about getting an 'L' in HK from a list of 24 Visa Rules

Quote:
5. No switching visa types between L and F

You can no longer change your visa type from L to F or vice versa. If you want to get an L visa while you have an F and are living in China, you will need to go to Hong Kong and apply for an L visa. Always as for double-entry.

6. New documentation required to apply for a tourist (L) visa:

Technically, you must provide:

A copy of your hotel bookings valid from the day you arrive to the day you leave or a letter if invitation from a friend or family member who you plan to stay with for the duration of your stay in China with all their contact details including their passport or ID number (if you can provide photocopies of their ID documents this could be helpful).
A copy of a return flight ticket booking (you can book and cancel your flight for a limited fee). A quick and easy way to go is Ctrip.com, which charges 200 RMB to cancel online flight bookings. If you want to book a flight from Hong Kong with Ctrip, you need to phone their 24 hour, English-speaking call service at: 86-021-34064880 Ext. 6.
One recent passport photo.
A valid passport with plenty for extra pages, valid for at least 6 months.
A letter from your employer stating that you'll be on vacation between your arrival and departure, as stated on your airline ticket.
A bank statement with a minimum of US $3,000. Alternately, you can choose to show cash equivalent to US$700, if you do not show your financial statement. However, instead of presenting bank statements or cash, if you have been invited to China by a China-based hosting organization, you can show an application letter with a company chop as an alternative to a bank statement.
Those last the two might be optional, but reports suggest that you should be prepared to provide all of the above documentation. To be safe, check ahead and be prepared!

7. Visa prices have gone up

Visa prices have almost doubled, depending on visa type and resident country. Check with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for details.

8. Use the China Travel Service (CTS) for Hong Kong and Macau

People recommend that if you go to Hong Kong to renew your visa you use the China Travel Service (CTS) to sort out your visa rather than the Commissioner's Office. There are about 40 CTS branches in Hong Kong (only one in Macau). The visa hotline number for the CTS is 852-2315-7188. You can only get a China visa on the same day in Hong Kong if you go to the CTS branch in Tsim Sha Tsui (1/F Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsimshatsu, Kowloon, open 9am-7pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturday).


I'm assuming whoever wrote that is unaware there's a CTS at the border crossing for non-Americans and just for L visas. Like I said, if I can get my L from the border crossing, it'll save me an entire day!!!
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LongShiKong



Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China

PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll bet the lineups are pretty long in HK now for any type of visa.
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