[ct1]

Hi,

Potentially dumb question(s) but when you get to Lo Wu who exactly issues visa's for Shenzen?

Is it the Immigration guy who stamps your passport or is there somewhere (an office/agent) you need to go to before you start to queue at Immigration.

How much is the visa AND if not from the Immigration guy how long does it take to be issued roughly??? We are going on Thursday afternoon so I am assuming it will not be mega busy.

I have a visa for China but a friend of mine (on Irish Passport) does not have one and apparently they can issue a Shenzen visa at the border for Irish Passport Holders. Any one know if this is not the case also.

Thanks all :-)

[carang]

there's a little office AFTER the HK immigration that you have to go to.. there is a sign for it... can't remember what they call it though...i think that it just says visa office or some such... it is up a flight of stairs if i remember correctly...(make sure you DO NOT go to the travel agency on the main floor!!!)
it took us about 10 minutes to get the visa issued after we filled in the paper work...

[ct1]

thanks Carang

[jimmymakss]

Please bear in mind that landed visa only cover the area of shenzhen city, u are not suppose to cross to the border behind Shenzhen city - BoaAn.

[ian747]

any idea on the opening time of this visa office ?

[timklip]

after you cross the bridge over the river, you'll see the China Immigration hall...as you enter the hall, keep left and you'll see the stairs Cara spoke of going up and back towards where you came from (in other words you make a u-turn and go up). Fill in the required form outside the small office and queue up to hand over your form and passport (and for them to take your picture). Then wait a few minutes to collect your passport with the visa in it. $160 for Canadians, not sure of the others. Bring your own pen as there are none beside the forms where they should be....

[dean-dzai]

I am an Australian, but if you are an American you cannot be issues with a visa there I don't think. If you can I am pretty sure it is only a single entry visa. For an American to get a visa for mainland in Hong Kong they need to get two single entries (expensive), then you can apply for a 6 month multiple but you need to show you are a general manager of a business or something.

Alternatively get it in the states before you come (or be sneaky and post your passport home for a friend to do it there).

I don't have these problems, I am an Australian - they seem to like the Australian and New Zealander passports.

[Heikeli]

....and if you are English - I think it is more expensive than for all others...but cannot remember how much.

[ian747]

if anyone can advise if this office is open 24 hours per day
or what time it opens in the morning id appreciate it

[inthesquare]

Not 100% sure but they are not open 24/7.

Read they open between 10am - 7pm but please don't take my word on this.

If you google 'shopping in Shenzhen' there is a site that gives you the run down on where the visa office is and the proceedures. Then info about the LoWu centre, etc.

As you approach the China immigration counters (having left HK), next to the wall on your left is a small sign re visa's you will then find the escalator to go up one level where the office is.

I did it once with no hassle but due to the tourists had to wait around an hour. Now I get one before leaving HK. HTH