[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by sp1key

on another note, pages on my passport are full!! therefore will get a new one...
I assume I can still use my multi entry visa on my old passport by showing both old and new passports together right?

anyone had the same experience?
Cheers

In the pre-visa confusion era, that always worked for me. Nowadays, who knows?

[Skyhook]

Ummm no that isnt entirely right.

It will depend on your nations passport policy, but in the event that you replace your existing passport with a new one, the old one is cancelled and a new one is issued with a new passport number. Very likely with the latest E-Passports that are now being issued post 911.

Your visa must be used in a valid travel document. A cancelled passport because of a replacement isn't a valid passport the moment the new one is issued. The visa corresponds to the passport number it was installed into originally, and it is not transferable to a new passport of your name, but of a different passport number.

You will need to take your new passport to the Chinese embassy and have a duplicate visa sticker inserted into your valid passport, with matching passport numbers that relate to the new passport, not the cancelled one..

Otherwise, no cigar.

[namaste]

Drumbrake - The visa was a tourist visa and was issued in HK to a person who had later moved to Australia.

[Boris]

" Your visa must be used in a valid travel document. "

Not in my ACTUAL experience. I had a 3 yr visa in a cancelled British passport with no problem. You see loads of guys going through the border with a couple of passports together . Poosibly with active visa in them.

Luckily for the US you can get new pages sew in so the ting lasts longer, but you visa if in date, is still a visa. As long as its accompanied by a valid travel document it will be OK - In my personal experience.

[juergenw]

Actually I can confirm the experience of Boris - I had same situation already 2 times - visa in old passport (because no more empty pages) - new chops in new passport using the old passport's still valid visa. BUT: Probably technically skyhook is right - and unfortunately most probably under the "new visa nonsense" this kind of procedure will not be accepted anymore and will offer a good opportunity to cancel the visa in the old passport...............Cheers !

[Boris]

Agree in respect that ANY reason, no matter how invalid it may be, can be used against you. There has been a post here about an Australian having his multi entry canceled on entry. In a VALID travel document if the post is accurate.

[pin]

The SCMP have posted another article:

Visa clarification fails to satisfy
Liz Heron and Raymond Li
Apr 25, 2008

Businesspeople are calling for further clarification of visa requirements for visiting the mainland after the central government confirmed that all travellers must apply for a visa from the country they live in.

The Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents was last night unable to explain why the ministry's advice conflicted with a letter it issued to travel agents last week stating that only nationals from 33 countries could no longer apply for a mainland visa within Hong Kong, unless they were identity-card holders.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu spelled out the advice, which was first given in a statement issued by its Commissioner's Office in Hong Kong last week, at a press briefing yesterday in Beijing. She also reiterated its claim that multiple re-entry visas were still available.

"Recently we have made suitable arrangements over visa applications for foreigners; for example, applicants are required to provide necessary documents in the course of their applications, which we believe is normal and reasonable," she said. "As to the multiple-entry visa applications, authorities still issue such visas to those who meet the requirements.

"To ensure a smooth entry into the country, we also suggest that applicants should apply for their visas in advance from their home country or their long-term place of residence."

New visa restrictions were imposed without warning on travel to the mainland by the Foreign Ministry on April 14, with details released to travel agents' couriers picking up passports from its offices in Wan Chai.

Travel agents said the changes included new requirements for tourists and business travellers to provide a return travel ticket and hotel voucher with their visa application, with the latter also having to provide a letter of invitation. There was also a ruling that nationals of 33 countries could no longer obtain a mainland visa in Hong Kong unless they were residents of the city.

The moves, which came days after travel agents were told that no new multiple-re-entry visas would be issued, provoked alarm among chambers of commerce in Hong Kong. The European chamber called for talks with the Commissioner's Office and the US and British chambers surveyed their members on the impact of the changes.

The British chamber has received a letter from the British embassy in Beijing stating that the Foreign Ministry had given an assurance that it would continue to issue 12-month multiple-re-entry visas to British businesspeople.

The letter stressed that applicants for a business visa should supply an invitation letter issued by a relevant department of the central government, such as a chamber of commerce, in addition to the return-flight ticket and hotel voucher.

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by juergenw

Actually I can confirm the experience of Boris - I had same situation already 2 times - visa in old passport (because no more empty pages) - new chops in new passport using the old passport's still valid visa. BUT: Probably technically skyhook is right - and unfortunately most probably under the "new visa nonsense" this kind of procedure will not be accepted anymore and will offer a good opportunity to cancel the visa in the old passport...............Cheers !

I have done the two passport thing and one of the guys I work with has done the two passport thing. I have done it in China and India.
If it weren't for the current nonsense, I'd say no problem with two passports.
Unfortunately, only experience will decide if that is correct. And the worst part about this situation is, just because it works today doesn't mean it will work tomorrow.

[freeier]

just received notification that even Singapore passport whom used to be visa free reciprocation now will need to be issued with VISA from either may or june, until the end of the olympics.

so check out guys. not sure who else are impact ? apac card ?

[Boris]

Nothing says " Welcome to The Olympics " " A Chance for China to show its progress to the World " " Human Rights have improved " " China welcomes you to Beijing " ---- like imposing a permission to see if your suitable to visit a great and noble friend to the world.

Memories of 1936 anyone ??