Job Discussion Forums

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

I've got my invitation letter and work permit (which identify Hong Kong as the location for my Visa). I'll be flying into HK from Ukraine, and will need to get my medical check there. Then I will take the train to Fuzhou. I've done some research, but I'd like to see if anyone has any more recent info. Here are my questions:

1. Medical Check

-Where can I get my check done in HK?
-Do they speak English? How long does it usually take?
-Is it advisable to make an appointment before even getting into HK?

2. Train to Fuzhou

Since I don't know how long I will have to stay in HK, I can't really get a plane ticket to Fuzhou with a layover in HK. I figured I'd train it.

-Does one usually need to book train tickets in advance? Can that be done from overseas?
-Anyone have any idea of the luggage limits on trains? I'm worried that if I take the full limit allowed on flights, it will exceed what the trains will allow.

3. Staying in HK

-Anyone have any good ideas about the cheapest possible rooms in HK? I'd heard the mansions (Chungking or Mirador) were a good idea.
-Can these be booked from overseas with a credit card?
-My invitation letter and work permit need to be sent there--would they be a reliable enough address?
-Are there private rooms?
-Where can I safely store my bags during the day?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I'm aiming to be in HK by the 10th of August!

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

2. I don't think there is a train directly going to Fuzhou from Hong Kong. You could cross the border into Shenzhen (thereby making your official entry into China) and then take a train to Fuzhou from there. There is exactly one scheduled train according to http://www.chinatrainguide.com/shenzhen-railway-station/fuzhou.html . That's a slow train that departs at 11:21 pm and arrives in Fuzhou after 3pm the next day. It's a nice way to see the country but may drive you crazy too. The new fast trains still haven't (so far as I know) connected the D-train line from Fuzhou and Xiamen to Shenzhen yet. May be fairly soon for future reference, but not now.

You can bring a lot of stuff on a train without weight limits. There are places at the end of most carriages to load oversize bags and shelving over the seats for others. Odd shapes are sometimes limited, such as bicycles, but generally speaking if you can carry a bag, you can put it on the train.

You may want to fly from Hong Kong on Spring Air to Xiamen and train if you're not tired of planes trains and automobiles. http://www.china-sss.com/en/AirFlights/SearchFlights?OriCityCode=HKG&DestCityCode=XMN&FlightDate=2013-08-13&FlightDateReturn=2013-08-20&IsReturn=False&MoneyType=21&AdultNum=1&ChildNum=0&InfantNum=0 ;

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/display.aspx?tp=1&to1=Fuzhou&from1=Xiamen

Otherwise, I'd suggest you fly from Shenzhen Bo'An airport to Fuzhou. http://flight.elong.net/shenzhen-fuzhou/en_day20.html . You'll save some money likely with Spring Air, but face more transfers.

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

Great advice. It definitely seems like crossing the border, and then starting my flight or train ride will save me money, and be easier. But since I won't really know when I can leave until I get the medical done (and wait times can vary), I'll be looking for last minute travel arrangements. Could get hairy, so good to have options.

I've also got figure out the best way to bring money with me to HK and China--they have Visa debit? Maybe bring some US$ as emergency funds in case debit card were to stop working?

slayer6719 · Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:20 am Post subject:

You can fly HK to Fu Zhou direct. Easy to buy a ticket in HK.
Last time i did it (March this year) it cost about 1300 HKD.
Saves a lot of stuffing around with the Trains or flying from Shen Zhen.
(I've done that too)

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

Hmm maybe carrying so many bags, flying directly might be a good idea. And while flights from across the border to Fuzhou are a bit cheaper, they don't see much cheaper when you factor in the costs and troubles associated with getting to the Airport in the mainland.

My main concern now is whether the "hotels" in the mansions will be safe enough for me to leave my bags in my rooms while I am in town doing my visa-related errands. And if my school can send my invitation letter there (is their front desk mail reception reliable).

Zhejiang_Man · Joined: 23 Aug 2012 Posts: 123 Location: Zhejiang

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

Sorry, I was a bit unclear. The school has my work permit and invitation letter in their possession. It takes a while to send it to Ukraine and is expensive, so they thought they would just send it to my hotel in HK when I get there (takes a day, and I need to be there a while, waiting for the med. check). Though since I have time, perhaps it would be better to get it sent here, even if it is more expensive. The Mansion guest houses seem like sketchy places to send such an important document.

As for the medical check, while the provincial and national gov't will provide the work permit and invitation letter with an overseas medical check, the Chinese embassy in Hong Kong requires a medical check from China or Hong Kong to actually issue the visa. They say that any 'big hospital' will do--but I'm still trying to find the specific contact details for the best option.

Thanks for the recommendations on accommodation. I'm curious why they list luggage storage as an option--is it for non-guests, or are the rooms not safe enough to keep your things in? Would you trust these places to receive an important courier for you?

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

GeminiTiger · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:27 am Post subject:

I don't know, this goes against every thing I ever say on this board, but I think you might be better off coming directly to Fuzhou on a tourist visa, picking up your papers in person as well as getting the medical done. If you know absolutely that the z-visa paperwork is done and you will be able to get it in HK, you could go there with all the proper papers in hand. Quite frankly there is so many unknown variables it just might be a better solution.
Getting the medical done on the mainland and getting the paperwork in your hand may save you a ton of cash in the end considering the costs of doing things and staying in HK. Just an idea.

Zhejiang_Man · Joined: 23 Aug 2012 Posts: 123 Location: Zhejiang

As for the medical check, while the provincial and national gov't will provide the work permit and invitation letter with an overseas medical check, the Chinese embassy in Hong Kong requires a medical check from China or Hong Kong to actually issue the visa. They say that any 'big hospital' will do--but I'm still trying to find the specific contact details for the best option.

Hong Kong Baptist Hospital provides China visa office approved medical reports at a cost of around HKD1,800. However, there are 2 downsides. You can't just show up any day and have an examination; you have to make a booking. Also, you have to wait 7 days to get the report; they don't offer a 'rush' service.

I'm curious why they list luggage storage as an option

You have to check out by 12 midday but your flight out of Hong Kong may be at 10:00 pm. So, you can leave your bags at the guesthouse from check out time to when you're ready to head to the airport.

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

The medical check is becoming a big stumbling block. I've contacted a dozen hospitals, and only Baptist and Adventist offer it. And the wait time is like a week.

Does anyone have any better options? What about grabbing a 30-day tourist in HK and slipping across the border for a medical check near HK? Sound like something worth investigating?

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

But I need an embassy to grant me the Visa. You can't enter China on a Work Permit or Invitation letter. The only place I can get a Z Visa (other than my home country) is the "Embassy" in Hong Kong.

I could, in theory, get a Tourist visa from the embassy here in Ukraine, fly direct to Fuzhou, get medical and settle in, THEN do a two-day trip to Hong Kong to get the Z-Visa. But the expenses of the extra trip from Fuzhou to HK and back, and from my current location to the Ukrainian capital, are probably greater than a week's stay in a HK guest house.

davelister · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 214

Hi mate, sorry, yes, I deleted my post before you replied to it because I realised I didn't understand the ins-and-outs of it. I have nothing clever to offer, but I hope someone does on this (great) site. Good luck!

Voyeur · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 431

Turns out tourist Visa's require proof of a return ticket. I know this might not be universally required in actual practice, but makes it too risky to rely on being able to slip into China for a physical.

The Baptist Hospital and the two Adventist Hospitals offer medical assessments. Costs are in the US$300-400 range. I'll find out about processing times when I call them today. The Adventist hospitals actually have a China Visa assessment package--so they seem like the best bet.

Looks like there is no way to finesse this--I book an appointment. I go to HK and stay as long it takes. I fork out the cash. And I don't book the HK to Fuzhou flight until I get my actual Visa--since there seems to be no way to guarantee having the cert. done in time. Such is life. Going back home first still would have been a lot more expensive.