[Asian1]

I'm set to be in HK in 2 weeks arriving from the US. I want to visit Shanghai. Should I get a China visa here or can I get it in HK? Is there enough time to get it here in the US?

[Asian1]

Anyone at all?

[Sleuth]

You can still get it in the US, but it will cost you. Try one of these services:
http://www.visarite.com/index.htm
http://www.traveldocs.com/
You can also get it in HK.

[Asian1]

what do you mean it will cost me? Applications says 4 biz days so not a rushee altought I am jetting out next Sunday!

Dont we have to give our passport to the people to get the visa stamp? I'd rather give it to the Chinese consultate here in the USA than some shop in HK. Any thoughts??????

[ct1]

Hi,

You have four options:

- use a 3rd party visa service in US
- go to the Chinese Consulate in US yourself
- use a 3rd party visa serive in HK
- go to the Chinese Visa Office in HK yourself

In HK you can get a visa in around 3-4 days. I would imagine it is the same. From what I have heard and from own experience it is cheaper to get a visa in your home country than in HK.

If you have the time (i.e. starting work as soon as you arrive say) and don't want to spend too much then go yourself to the Chinese Visa Office in the US or HK yourself. If you don't have the time and don't mind spending the money then go with the 3rd party visa service.

The "shops in HK" that you refer to are the 3rd party visa services - they are reliable although very expensive. This is common service that many o/seas visitors and expats use. You should not worry about using them. This is how they make their money.

[Sleuth]

In the US, if you can't appear in person for the visa, you have to use a 3rd party service. This is a change from several years ago when you used to be able to mail directly to the Chinese.
If you want to have the visa quickly, it is going to cost you more money than if you have weeks/months to wait on it. All of the 3rd party services have expedited services, but they cost more money. Last time I think I had mine in 5 days (which included a weekend).
And yes, you have to send in your passport.