[Boris]

Originally Posted by via

I know you say this mostly "tongue in cheek" and get your point. But 1000s of "proud" pro-China complaining already about "China bashing" coming from US, etc and other media. It is difficult/useless to say anything more without starting more shouting, pointing fingers. Many many "proud Chinese" and politics?

Its no matter the thoughts of others. A story is a story and sells papers.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by pin

It's self preservation for the SCMP (or self censorship). They don't want to p*ss of the mainland authorities. We may or may not agree with it, but like many other things in HK we just have to live with it.

There are many ways of writing a story without pissing of " father ".

[doctorcatron]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

Let me see if I have this straight.
You are a US Passport holder?
You live in HK or USA?
You have a recently expired multi-entry visa?
They would not renew your multi-entry.
Did you try to get this multi-entry in the US or HK?
Up until now, it seemed as if the US was immune to this nonsense.

I am from the USA and live in Macau, I have a Macau ID but still must travel on US passport. Have had a multi visa every year and it expired in January. I was on family leave for a month and didn't need it. Went last week to renew and they said I must pay 1080mop or HK dollars for a single or double only. Multis are not available even though all visas cost the same.

And yes in Zhujai there are dancing monkeys.

[doctorcatron]

Originally Posted by sp1key

^ Because we are considered a minute.

This matter does not at all affect the Chinese citizens, Macao and Hong Kong citizens.

It doesn't affect the "citizens" or nationals but it does hugely affect "residence" who are expats with foreign passports. HUGE!!!!

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by Boris

This debacle brings to mind the other gem in China. Shutting down air traffic with no notice so the Air Force can play with its toys.

Amen to that! Was speaking with a group from Dominican Republic earlier today and their flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou was a mess. And even though Delta just opened up that Shanghai-Atlanta route, I'll never use it.
I'd rather fly to the US via Australia than take a chance flying up the Chinese coast. I bet my flights up and down the coast are delayed/cancelled close to 50% of the time.

[MovingIn07]

I just got an email from the american chamber of commerce asking for evidence of what is actually happening.

Dear Members,


Within recent days AmCham has received many calls of complaints from members, asking about recent changes in China's visa policies. Based on members' comments and reports of travel agents to the local press:


1) Multiple visa holders whose visas expired are being told they can only have single-entry visas from now until sometime after the Olympics.

2) To get visas into the mainland, applicants must now show a flight ticket and hotel voucher in advance and present copies with their applications on a new, very detailed form.

3) The charges for visas have been substantially raised and, in any case, members who travel to China many times a week stand to suffer huge cost increases and impossibly fast exhaustion of available pages in their passports (a China visa takes an entire passport page) if forced to use single or double entry visas.

4) Hong Kong residents or ID holders from 33 countries will no longer be allowed to apply for visas to enter mainland China from Hong Kong, but must instead apply in their home countries.


AmCham has so far been unable to clearly substantiate the exact changes in China's visa policy.

* We have spoken with the US Consulate and they have checked with Beijing, which says there are no changes to existing policies. * We have checked the notice of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong website and they have claimed there are neither changes in documentation nor in fees.
* We have asked reporters for their sources on these changes and they've said they were informed by travel agents but do not have firsthand knowledge.

Our most important and reliable source of information is you: We have received at least a half-dozen calls from members asking us what we are doing about these changes and they have described some or all of the above items to us as happening to them directly.

To break through what appears to be confusion and perhaps a great wall of silence around a new visa policy, we need your anecdotes.

Please email our Press Affairs Manager, Toni Lau ( tlau@amcham.org.hk ) with descriptions of your recent experiences when attempting to renew or obtain China visas within the past several weeks.

*****
I have no actual experience but those of you who do might want to get in touch with these folks to get some traction.

[Sleuth]

I sent in my experience, which only covers the increase in fees.

[ontheroad]

Issued today by the "Commissioner's Office of China's foreign Ministry in the HKSAR":

The Commissioner's Office Continues to Facilitate Visa Application of Foreiign Nationals
2008-04-17


Foreigners are welcome to China. The Chinese visa is issued in accordance with laws and regulations of China, with reference of the practice of hosting countries of previous Olympic Games and other international sporting events. Compared to most other countries, it is relevantly easy and convenient to apply for a Chinese visa. Genuine visitors to China and those attending Olympic Games will not be affected.

Since the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong SAR, it has always been providing efficient service to facilitate foreigners' visa application. The Office will continue to work in the same spirit.

The recent drastic rise in the number of applicants adds to the waiting time for queuing and processing. To spare applicants of the unnecessary trouble, for non-resident of Hong Kong SAR, please apply for the Chinese visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in his or her home country or resident country.

The followings are the answers to frequently asked questions from the media and the public:

1. What is the number of entries of a Chinese visa? What is the validity of a Chinese visa?

A single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa can be issued. A single-entry or double-entry visa is valid for 3 months for entry; the validity of a multiple-entry visa can be longer.

2. What kind of documentation is needed for visa application?

A valid passport, one photo and a completed visa application form are basic requirements. A return ticket and hotel booking are required for tourist visa. An additional Visa Notification Form is required for business visa. For detailed student or working visa, please visit the website of the Commissioner's Office at ???????????????????????????????????????.

3. How long does it take to get a visa?

We encourage all visa applicants to apply for Chinese visa well in advance of their anticipated travel plans. The regular processing time is usually 4 working days. Express or rush visa service is available for emergencies. Express visa is issued within three working days after application is received, while rush visa is issued within two working days (24 hours after application is received).

4. Has the multiple-entry visa service been suspended?

The multiple-entry visa service is still available. The visa officer will consider the real need of the applicant when granting a multiple-entry visa.

5. Have the visa fees been raised? How much is charged for a visa?

The visa fees remain unchanged. HK$150 is charged for a regular single-entry visa, HK$220 for double-entry visa, HK$440 for 6-month multiple-entry visa and HK$600 for one-year multiple-entry visa. For applicants of certain countries, visa fees are charged on reciprocal basis. Please visit the website of the Commissioner's Office for detailed information.

6. Is express visa service available? What is the charge?

Express visa service is available for applicants caught in emergency. An additional fee of HK$150 is charged for express visa service and HK$250 for rush visa service.

7. Should foreign citizens apply for Chinese visas in their home country or resident country before departing for China?

Yes, foreign citizens should apply for Chinese visas in their home country or resident country before departing for China.

8. Is there any recent change of the application forms?

There's no change recently. The Form of 2007 Edition is still in use for all categories of application.

9. Where the detailed visa information could be found?

For detailed information, please visit the website of the Commissioner's Office at ??????????????????????????????????????? . For further inquiry, please contact the Office by calling (852)34132300, or by email to fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn, or by fax to (852)34132312. The staff will be available to answer questions at (852)34132424 (10:00a.m.-11:00a.m.; 3:00p.m.-4:00p.m.).

[KnowItAll]

ontheroad - yes, the multiple entry visa is available, but the "computer glitch" prevents it from being printed.

Have to PM climber and ask him what happened to his nieces visa.

[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

ontheroad - yes, the multiple entry visa is available, but the "computer glitch" prevents it from being printed.

Ah yes, of course, the computer glitch. I thought they were just trying to hypnotise us...
"Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around the eyes, look into my eyes. [click] You're under!"