Job Discussion Forums

sandinista445 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 136 Location: 世界

If I were to live and work in HongKong, how difficult would it be to travel to the Mainland on a regular basis? Do I need to apply for a Chinese VISA if I have a HongKong workers VISA? Would I be able to just cross the border as I please (which I found to be the case when I worked in the Mainland and vacationed in HK)?

briandwest · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Hong Kong

It's easy.
Yes, if you have a HK working visa you will need to get a China visa.
You can apply for a 12 month multiple-entry visa that lets you go in an out as many times as you want (but not to work).
Be aware that the first time you apply they may only be willing to give you a 1 or 2 month visa; the 12 month visa should be fine the subsequent time you apply.

sandinista445 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 136 Location: 世界

Thanks,
So, would I get a multiple entry tourist VISA good for 12 months or would it be a special Chinese VISA they give to residents of HongKong?

briandwest · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Hong Kong

It's a standard tourist visa.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You can get a long-term tourist visa (some people, for reasons I do not understand, prefer an 'F' visa which technically is a businessperson's visa) for several months up to one year. You must make sure it's a multiple-entries visa, which will cost a little more than a single-entry one.

You can get this visa from a number of travel agents (who take your passport across the border to the Shenzhen P.S.B. for the visa issuance) and charge you a commission on top of the visa price.
You can try the CHinese Government Office in Wanchai - cheaper, yes, but I am not sure they give you more than 3 months at one time.

Note that every time ytou cross the border you will get two large-ish chops in your passport; your pages will fill up pretty quick!