Exchange student with Canadian citizenship - Can I get a tourist visa to China in HK?

[canadienne]

I'm a Canadian citizen who will be an exchange student in Hong Kong this fall, studying on a Hong Kong student visa. On the website of the Commissioner of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR, it states the following:

"Visa applicants are increasing in a large number and need longer waiting time in the visa office recently. If you don't reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples' Republic of China in your resident country. You are welcome to China for tourism, business and visit." (Address/Office hours/Enquiry service)

Does anyone know if as a student on a Hong Kong student visa, I can still apply for a Chinese visa when I'm in Hong Kong, or if I have to apply for a Chinese visa while I'm still in Canada?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[leopard]

Shouldn't be a problem but I'm no immigration attorney!

[ferdyh]

look, no worries ! If you have never had any China Visa on your passport, then go to any travel services / agents here, they will help you to get it. This is the only way, as far as I know. More expensive than getting it at the China embassy, but still not that expensive. (1 day service = 800 HKD, 4 day service = 350 HKD)

[drumbrake]

That regulation is not currently enforced for many nationalities, including those from Canada. You will be able to get a single entry Chinese visa in Hong Kong for HK$150. Note that if you apply in Canada, you may be able to get a longer visa, and more entries, than you would be able to get in Hong Kong.

[carang]

drumbrake, isn't the $160RMB for SZ only?

[drumbrake]

HK$150 is for a full Chinese visa - 30 day single entry - applied at the Visa Office in Wanchai. Tourists from many countries can still get a visa there despite the notice on the website which was put up just a couple of months prior to the Olympic Games and has not been taken down. I believe it is left there so that if the regulations change for one nationality, such as the French recently, then the Chinese can say that it is just existing regulations being enforced, and not new regulations.

160 Rmb is for the 5 day Shenzhen visa applied at the Lo Wu border.

[ferdyh]

Address
Sunrise Travel ( HK ) Ltd
Room B , 8/F, Season Commercial Building, No. 3 Humphrey's Avenue,
Tsim Sha Tsui , Hong Kong , Tel.852) 3170 5888
Fax.852) 31705887 , Email: [email protected]
P.O.Box 95905,Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Hong Kong

I'm not really sure, if canadians are not allowed to apply via agent here, but to be able to apply for a China Visa in HK, the embassy will ask if you have a HK ID or not, in this case you are not eligible to apply for one, as you will stay here in HK less than 180 days w/ ur student visa. Contact the number above to confirm it. I used their service twice before.

[Char Siu King]

It really is not a problem. Go to the place in Wanchai mentioned above or any half decent looking travel agent and they´ll sort it out for a few hundred bones. They want your money and China wants you to visit as a tourist. Not an issue!