How to get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong – Index
Before you begin
If you can’t apply for a visa in your country of residence because you already live in Asia or you’re traveling, Hong Kong is still the best place to get one.
In the first part of this article, we’ll explain where you can apply for a visa in Hong Kong (you can use an agency or go directly to the CVASC), and which documents are necessary for getting a visa.
In the second part of this article, we’ll explain how to travel from China to Hong Kong in the quickest and cheapest way in order to get a visa.
Note that all the information that you’ll find in this article is the result of our own personal experience since we’ve applied for many visas in Hong Kong, starting way back in 2012.
For more general information on Chinese Visa, I suggest you read Chinese Visa application: A complete guide.
Do I need a Visa to visit Hong Kong?
If you are an American, Canadian, Australian or European (from E.U, I mean) citizen, then you don’t need a Visa as long as you stay for less than 90 days (British people can stay 180 days). If you come from another country, you should go to this page to check whether you need a Visa or not.
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, a customs officer will stick a “Visa exemption” ticket on your passport, which specifies for how long you can legally stay in Hong Kong without a Visa.
In the second part of this article, I’ll provide all the Visa costs in HKD (Hong Kong Dollars). Keep in mind that at the time of writing, 10 HKD = 1.29 USD = 1.16 Euro (you can find the exchange rate in real-time here).
Where can I get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong?
Option A: Using an agency
First Update: At the moment, according to our readers, this is the easiest solution (unless you hold a Hong Kong resident permit).
Second update: Generally speaking, if during the last twelve months you have already obtained one or two Chinese Visas in Hong Kong, it’s going to be hard to get more than a 14 day tourist or business Visa (unless you have a legit invitation letter from a Chinese company).
If you aren’t one of those people that basically live in China with a tourist or business visa, then you should be able to obtain at least a 60 day tourist Visa (double entry, this means that you’ll have to exit and reenter China after 30 days) or a multi-entry 6-12 month business visa.
Note that if you obtain a multi-entry business Visa of 90, 180 or 365 days, you’ll have to exit China every 30, 60 or 90 days (according to the Visa you will get).
Moreover, in order to obtain a business visa with a duration of 90, 180 or 365 days, usually you must have already obtained in the past a Chinese Visa outside the Chinese territory and have in your passport at least a stamp from the Chinese immigration office (that is you have already been in China).
If you applied for your Visa through an agency before August 2013, it was possible to obtain it within five hours. Nowadays, the rush service is two working days (that is, 24 hours because in China, the day on which you apply is included in the working days) for short term tourist and business Visas, and up to fifteen working days for a 6 or 12 month business Visa (according to the situation).
There are a lot of visa agencies in Hong Kong. Personally, I like Forever Bright. With the normal service (4 working days), you’ll pay 750 HKD for a single entry L or M Visa and 970 HKD for a double-entry L or M visa (30 days per entry).
The prices for the faster services (two or three working days) are 1,170 HKD and 1,720 HKD, respectively.
However, there are many exceptions; you can check the price for your nationality by following this link.
The multi-entry 6-12 months visa isn’t available for all nationalities and will cost you between 1,370 and 2,890 HKD (however we heard of people that paid up to 8,000 HKD; thus we advise you to contact the agency well in advance, in order to know what fee you will have to pay in your case).
Here is their address and contact information of Forever Bright Agency:
Rooms 916-917, New Mandarin Plaza Tower B
14 Science Museum Road,
T.S.T. East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2369 3188
Website: www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk
The easiest way to find the agency is to take the subway to Tsim Sha Tsui East Station, leave through exit P2 and walk North on Mody Road (just turn left at the exit) up until the intersection at Science Museum Road, where the agency is located. From the P2 exit, it takes about ten minutes to get to the office.
The other agency that seems to be quite good is CTS (China Travel Service), located at the Hong Kong airport. I’ve heard that here, you’ll need at least three working days to get your Visa.
Option B: The Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC)
If you don’t want to use an agency, then you will have to apply for your Visa at the CVASC (unless you own a special passport).
Here the address and contact information:
Address: 20/F, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Business Hours: Monday-Friday (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)
Submission of Applications and Payment: 9:00 to 16:00 (Urgent service before 12:00)
Collection: Regular Service: 10:00 to 17:00, Express and Urgent Service: 12:00 to 17:00
Tel: + 852 29921999
Fax: + 852 29891116
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.visaforchina.org
Here you can find most of the information you will need (including the list of required documents, according to the type of Visa you want to apply for).
Here you find the Visa fees.
Here you can schedule an appointment for your Visa application.
Option C: The Consular Department Office (not applicable for ordinary passports)
Update: Since January 2018, this option is not applicable anymore for ordinary passports. Thus, if you own an ordinary passport, your only options are to apply with an agency or at the CVASC.
Although we don’t have any first-hand experience with it, If you have a diplomatic passport, it seems you can still apply for your Chinese Visa at the Consular Department Office. It’s close to Wan Chai subway station. The exact address is:
7th Floor, Lower Block, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong Island
Tel: +852 3413 2424 (here you find working time and email address)
In general, a single entry Visa costs 200 HKD, a double-entry visa 300 HKD and a multiple-entry visa 500 HKD. However, we are talking about China! This means that there are many exceptions. For example, American citizens have to pay 1100 HKD for any kind of Visa, and British citizens need to pay 360 HKD for a single entry one, 540 HKD for a double entry one and 1090 HKD for a multiple-entry Visa. There are also exceptions for other countries; you can find the complete price list here.
It takes four working days to get your Visa; however, you can apply for the express service if you want to have it within three working days (you’ll pay 200 HKD extra), or the rush service if you want to get the Visa within two working days (you’ll pay 300 HKD extra).
Note that the day on which you apply is included in the working days, so if you apply for a rush Visa on Monday you’ll get it on Tuesday. Also, take note that for some nationalities (France, for instance), express and rush Visa service isn’t available. Don’t ask me why; this is just the way it is!
If you are planning to stay in a hotel and have no interest in visiting the city, then the rush service is more convenient, as hotels in Hong Kong are quite expensive. This means that you’ll end up spending more than the 300 HKD extra needed for the rush Visa process.
The list of necessary documents for obtaining a visa at the consular office
Here’s a testimonial from our reader, Enrico Penna (edited by me).
Getting a visa at the consular office is complicated because, even if they require various documents, the complete list of the specific documents needed isn’t published anywhere, and moreover, when they deny you at the counter, of the many necessary documents they tell you only one at a time in a way that you won’t even get it the next time around.
Between my direct failings and those of other unfortunate ones, I believe I’m able to provide a complete list of necessary documents:
- The application form, which among other things must be compiled without errors or omissions otherwise they’ll make you fill it out all again (losing your place in line);
- Photocopy of your passport, including the Hong Kong immigration slip (the so-called “Visa exemption”), a small rectangle of White paper that they give you at Passport control (when you arrive in Hong Kong), often without stapling a page. Note that if you’re not paying attention and lose it, you’re screwed;
- If you’re more than one applying for a visa, they don’t accept two copies of the same page; each passport must have a good A4 photocopy;
- Copy of your round trip air ticket in both English and Chinese; if your agency has printed it in another language (such as Italian), it will be denied even if your name, airline, booking number and flight information are clearly visible;
- Copy of your hotel reservation in China, also in English or Chinese and must absolutely have your name (and the names of all people that are applying for the Visa and will stay at the same hotel) clearly visible; Booking.com had sent me a receipt via e-mail in Italian with a booking code but no name and I had to return to the site to print a copy in English;
- Depending on the number of days of your stay, which they deduce for your flight dates, they can ask for proof of your booking for the entire length of your stay in China. The problem is that if you explain to them that you don’t have an exact itinerary and will decide where to stay from day to day, there’s a very strong possibility that they’ll refuse your visa;
- This aspect is really controversial and discretional; I saw a Pakistani pass through with just bookings for the first two days in Shenzhen; whereas a French couple was chased off and had to appeal to their agency because they only had a pair of bookings for almost a month-long stay;
- To conclude, if you’re traveling with a minor child, you’ll also need a birth certificate in English and two copies of the parents’ passports.
Luo Hu: The border between Shenzhen (China) and Hong Kong S.A.R.
How to get to Hong Kong from China Mainland
Hong Kong by plane
If you are coming from Europe or the U.S., you can just take a flight to Hong Kong International Airport. Then take the subway or a taxi to your hotel (click here to read our reviews of the best luxury, medium-range and economic hotels in Hong Kong).
However, if you live in China and are coming to Hong Kong to renew your Visa or for a Visa run, you may want to consider taking a plane to Shenzhen, a Chinese city located just across the Hong Kong S.A.R. border.
Why? Because a domestic flight from any Chinese city to Shenzhen is usually cheaper than an international flight from any Chinese city to Hong Kong. Click here to learn what are the best website to book a flight in China or Hong Kong.
Once you get to Shenzhen, you can take line 1 of the subway from the airport to Luo Hu station, which is located on the border with the Hong Kong S.A.R. It will take ab out 90 minutes, as you have to cross all of Shenzhen.
At this point, you can cross the border by walking (it takes from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the line) and then take the Hong Kong subway to downtown (about 50 minutes). The total price is about 80 HKD.
The other option is the bus that departs from the arrivals floor at Shenzhen airport and arrives at Tsim Sha Tsui Station, which is in Kowloon but very close to Hong Kong island, and which takes about 90 minutes (if there isn’t too much traffic at the border).
Even though you have to take two buses, one to the border and the second from it, it is only one ticket (I think it costs 150 HKD). The first bus drops you off at the border, which you have to cross by walking, while the second bus waits for you across the border (it’s all explained on the ticket).
If this trip from Shenzhen to Hong Kong seems too complicated to you, you can fly directly from China to Hong Kong. In this case, I suggest you to read our guide on how to book a flight ticket in China.
Hong Kong by train
The other possibility is to take a train from any Chinese city to Shenzhen and then cross the border at Luo Hu (the train station is quite close).
Take note that a hard sleeper ticket on the night train from Shanghai to Shenzhen will cost you 470 Chinese Yuan while a plane ticket is worth around 650 Yuan. Since the difference in price is relatively small and the train is way slower (around 15 hours instead of 2), I usually go by plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to many comments we receive, it is possible – even if in theory such visas should be requested in the country to which you belong. They’ve told us that the key is, besides having all your documents in order, having an invitation letter that clearly specifies that the visa be applied for in Hong Kong.
From two to four business days including the day you apply for your visa.
Click here to read our reviews of the hotels we recommend in Hong Kong.
It depends on the type of visa you apply for and what you manage to get. Note that if for example you apply for a two-entry tourist visa of 30 days each, you won’t necessarily be issued that exact visa.
It is possible, depending on the case, that they’ll just issue you a single entry visa of 30 days (or less).
Yes, we have applied for – and obtained – several times a visa in Hong Kong.
Photo Credits: 
Auf nach China by Max Braun
Hello,
Am from Kenya and i saw that we are visa free into HK for up-to 90 days.my intention is to study Chinese language from a Chinese school for up-to 12 months.so my questions is,if i came to HK possibly for a few days,would I be able to get the student visa x1 or x2 if a school sent me the paperwork for this visa?I was already in China in 2014 on a 30 day business visa.I exited China before that visa expired.Thanks for your advice!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, contact an agency / the consular office there. We cant confirm this
Hello,
Thanks for the great blog it is really useful!! I am an EU national currently living in Switzerland and I am kind of in a special situation here. I would like to stay with my girlfriend in Guangzhou but for study purposes I will need to go every second week for a couple of days to HK beginning mid. January 2017. It is also to mention that I will have a two year student visa for HK
Therefore I tried to apply in my residence country for a multi entry visa but was always reject: The visas I have been granted so far are:
-November 2015: L visa with two entries and a max stay of 30 days (one entry actually used in December 2015). I applied for a 2 entries visa and was granted a 2 entries visa
-September 2016: L visa with two entries and a max stay of 60 days (one entry actually used in September 2016). I applied for a multi entry visa but only received a 2 entries
-November 2016: x2 visa with one entry and a max stay 150 days (applied with an invitation letter from a language school, hoping to get a multi entry visa, but was rejected as well) (entry not used so far, planed entry date 2. Of December)
After doing a little bit of research I figured out why I was declined the multi entry visa. Basically they require you to have been at least twice to China in order get the multi entry L visa for twelve month. Is this information correct?
If yes could I apply now for multi entry L visa for 12 month? Would it possible to apply for it in HK? As far as my research goes multi entry visas should applied for in the country of residence. So what is your opinion on the likelihood of me obtaining a 12 month multi entry visa in HK, especially considering my visa application history? Should I rather reapply here in Switzerland for the multi entry 12 month L visa?
Many thanks for your help.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello,
several people reported that they were able to get the multi entry M visa in HK using an agency. However we can’t tell you how likely you are to get the visa they seem to decide case by case, based in many factors (included your past Chinese visa history)
Can a person visit Shanghai and Hong Kong for 10 days without getting any Chinese visa? I am curious about the 144hr/6day visa-free transit time for Shanghai. Can I plan 6days in Shanghai then 4 days in HK? I understand that I do not need a visa for HK.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
According to your nationality, you many not need a visa for Hong Kong. Af for the Shanghai visa exemption, it only apply in some cases, so make sure to confirm that it does apply to your case.
Hello,
I am from Sweden and I would like to live in China (or HK) for 2+ years without working. I already have a source of income. Which type of visa (and visa runs I guess) should I use? Or maybe it isn’t possible?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Eric,
it’s extremely tricky. You could sign up to a language school and get a student visa. However if you are working remotely it may not be totally legal (as you would technically be working from China). I’m not so sure about this last point, the best for you would be to contact an accountant
Hi Furio!
I came to China on an L visa a little over a year ago, and now have a Z visa that is about to expire. My new employer wants me to go to HK to apply for another L before they can get me a new work permit back in Shanghai, but it seems like I either have to a) just apply directly for a Z visa in HK or b) go back to the US to apply for an L visa or a Z visa. Is that correct? I’m a little worried that they’re going to send me to HK and I’ll be stuck there.
Thanks for all your help! This info is great.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Sarah,
the most common procedure is to go back to US and apply for a Z visa there. If you read through the comments on this article, you’ll see that several people were able to get the Z visa in Hong Kong
If you want to work in China, an L visa would be useless; unless your employer plans to then transform into a working resident permit; however this procedure is much more complicate / not so safe
It would be much better to get the right visa (Z visa) right away
Hi — this is an issue that just came up for me but I doubt I’m the only person facing this problem so hopefully you can provide some guidance.
I am a naturalized US citizen who was born in Hong Kong in 1965; we came to the US when I was 6 years old. I am applying for a China tourist visa and was asked to provide my Chinese or HK passport (which of course I do not have). In fact, I don’t have any papers from that period (and my parents are deceased); I only have my HK birth certificate and my US naturalization papers. I’ve never been to China since we left and have never applied for a visa before so this is a new situation for me.
Can you shed any light on what I can do to try to obtain a tourist visa to China? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Michael
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Michael,
I never heard of this problem before. What I would do is to go to the Chinese Consular Office and explain that I only have a US passport. They are often quite flexible
Dear Furio,
I have read some comments that say it is difficult to get Tourist Visa for 30 days if you have been living during a long period in China.
I am in China since almost one year with a Student Visa and I would like to go to HK to apply for a Tourist Visa for 30 days.
Do you think it’s not possible?
PS: I am french.
Regards.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Kevin, if it’s your first tourist visa after one year of student visa you shall be ok
Great news ! Thanks so very much !
Dear Furio Fu, Thanks a lot for your job in this page.
I am studying in China now with student visa and I will graduate in October. I applied for a job in China and the employer is preparing the working permit and invitation letter for me now.
Is it necessary to go back my country to apply for Z visa or I can go to Hong Kong to do it?
How many days does it take to finish Z visa in Hong Kong? and is it easy or difficult?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Many people were able to get the Z visa in Hong Kong (you find some comments in this page, just scroll down the comments).
For what the other readers say, it seems that the important thing is that the invitation letter specifies that you need to apply in Hong Kong.
As for how many days are needed, I think the same number of days needed for the other visas!
Hello, this website is super good, always with news about traveling and about all of china.
But i want to said my very bad experience with the agency FOR EVER BRIGHT, we talk by email, i agree the price in 750 hk, then i wrote them 1 day before my flight to confirm, they confirm, but when i was there they told me the price impossible because my country is more expensive (they ask by email my nacionality), they want to charge 1.400 hk, so i refusee and i had another option that was going directly to the like embassy of china in hong kong, i do all the steps there and they told me for my country the visa fee was FREE, so i didn’t pay anything, i recommend to you that go directly there, is super easy and i was doing my visa Z without problems. The address is near the subway WANCHAI station, you can ask is very easy to find.
I know that is not your website fault, only for the people can know.
thanks again
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi Sebastian,
it looks weird as I never heard about “free” visa. My I know what is your nationality?
Cheers
Hi furio, im from chile, southamerica. In my country is the same, but in the consular office they explain that is always about your nacionality, so if is free in your country is free here too, or if i apply in the embassy of china in thailand, etc.
but the important thing is that they didn’t respect the price that we close in the email.
regards
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
OK sure, there must be some specific treaty with Chile
Saludos!
hi im filipino and I’m currently in guangzhou as a tourist visa , I’m going to hongkong to apply new visa again going to china, if there is possible i can apply new visa again in fbt agency ?
and from guangzhou china can i use train going to hongkong direct or i need to go Shenzhen still?
plz help me cuz this week my visa running out…
big thanks
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
As for the first question, ask FBT.
As for the second, yes, there is a direct train Guangzhou-Hong Kong, I took it myself!
I’m looking at accepting a job offer from a company in China, but have a question about the Degree Verification process.
I live in Taiwan right now, am a US citizen, and have my original degree and transcripts. However, I heard that I need to have my degree verified at the chinese consulate in the US before I could get my Z visa.
I have also heard that as long as I have my original degree and my transcripts, I can have them verified at the consulate in Hong Kong, and then I can apply for the Z visa in Hong Kong and have nothing to worry about.
Is this true?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi there, I believe I replied to this by email!
Hello dear, I am eve from the philippines, I was in china last month and have a single entry L visa which only give me 14 days to stay.I attended the opening of my friend’s coffee shop. now, I am planning to go back their again this AUGUST 30, 2016 and stay for 2 weeks, Can I apply for Multiple entry of 6 months L visa this time? because we will be traveling all over China with a broken schedule. SO Multiple entry will be possible to apply in my country?
Another thing, Should I provide the same documents that I provided before like bank cert.? incometax? etc.. Or just a photo copy of my old chinese visa? because during my first visit, I finance everything but this time, my friend will finance it for me since that he invited me to go on holiday. Should I provide my bank statement still or I will be asking him to provide his bank certificate? which one?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
You can apply, sure. However you have no guarantee that you will get it. They decide case by case, on this
hi Furio!
I hold an M visa and will expire this last week of August. Our company is trying to secure a china work visa instead since as of late, some of my colleagues were just given a 2 entry visa for 6 months. I live in HK for 6 months holding a resident status (not yet permanent though) and so I have some questions:
1) Can my company get a china work visa in HK?
2) If yes, how many days and will my passport be taken by the chinise embassy in HK? btw i hold a philippine passport.
3) To get a china work visa, do we need some medical?
Thanks a lot and more power to your blog! =)
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
1. Yes, we heard of many cases like yours
2. No idea
3. Usually yes
Hi,
I am from New Zealand my bf and i are landing in HK and we would like to get a tourist visa to visit our friends in shenzhen we will probably be there for a week and a half (in shenzhen) how can we apply for a visa in Hk where do we go and how much will it cost also how long will it take?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi, it’s all explained in this article…
Hi there, I am in Hong Kong, but I’m Vietnamese. Please advise me the best way and documents to be prepared to obtain a Chinese visa here. Thank you so much.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
It’s all on the article!
Hey there!
Thanks for this great informative article. Wanted to know if this is something you can clarify, i have applied for a Chinese tourist visa in NY for end of July and august and they will only provide me a double entry visa as i am a uk citizen and i want to be able to travel back and forth between Shenzhen and HK. I saw while searching on other forums there is a visa that i can get upon entry by train to Luohu that is only valid for Shenzhen do you have any idea if that is still a viable option and what it requires? thanks!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Yes, it’s still viable as long as
1. You only stay up to 5 days for each entry
2. You only stay in Shenzhen.
This is a business visa, we discuss this possibility more in detail in our article about Business visas here in the website
Hi,
I am a UK citizen applying for a tourist visa to China. I have a question regarding the exact supporting documents that I will need to submit to the visa application centre.
I have a flight to Shanghai but my return flight is from Hong Kong. Therefore do I only need to give proof of my hotel in Shanghai or do I have to provide proof of my flight to Hong Kong and hotel there as well?
You should only provide the information of your stay in mainland China, I don’t think about HK is necesary, but it’s better if confirm it with the visa application centre
hi please i have a question for you,am living in china with my husband, am a US citizen and my husband is a Namibian citizen.am working, but my husband just got him self a job at a kindergarten school, i have a working permit and my husband have a relative permit. his school want to send him off to Hong Kong and obtain a z or working visa, they will provide all necessary documents for him. my question is. is it possible for him to have a z or working visa in hong kong? and if yes what are the requirement?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Yes, it’s possible but not sure. The requirements are the same than getting a Z visa anywhere else, the difference is that the invitation letter shall specify that he must ask the visa in HK (or at least, this is the feedback of our readers)
Hi Furio,
I read through this and am a little confused. My gf and I (US citizens) plan to fly into Hong Kong and then were hoping to take a flight immediately out of HK to Beijing (within 4 hours) we then plan on returning to HK 2 days later (less than 72 hours). Will this all be possible with the 72 hour visa or is there restrictions for returning to HK? Thank you in advance for your help.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi Cody,
I don’t think you qualify for the 72 hours visa exemption because you are flying back and forth from the same country (Hong Kong). The visa exemption usually is for transits, for instance US -> China -> Hong Kong
However I still suggest you ask for a confirmation to your flight company!
Hello Furio,
I was offered a six month internship in China. However the company told me that they could only guarantuee me a three months visa due to the current situation and that it would be a bit of a gamble to extend the visa for additional three months. I read an article stating it would be possible to get a 6 month visa if you already had a company that wants to employ you for that time period. Do you know anything about that? If thats possible it would be the best option for me.
Otherwise, what would you recommend me to do? Should I try to extend it after three months in China or should I go to HKG and apply for a new Visa there? I am an EU citizen (German).
Thank you very much for this site, your helping so many people out!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Chris,
if the company can only provide an invitation letter for 3 months, than 3 months is the best you can get now. Later on you can try to extend it (it’s indeed possible in many cases) or get another 3 months visa in Hong Kong