[Levi]

I know this doesn't really have to do with HK Immigration, but I guess this is the best place to post it.

I hold a US Passport, and will need to make some occasional trips into the Mainland for work. I want to apply for the half-year multiple-entry visa for China.

I've checked with China Travel, and (despite the fact that their website advertises this service) they're not sure whether they can do this for me, but they'd "try." Unless this is just some Chinese way of softening a "NO" for an answer, I don't know what the heck this means; either they can do it or they can't.

I've also been told that I can apply at the Chinese Embassy (not sure where this is; can't find the website; can anyone tell me?) but that I need an invitation letter from a company in China to justify my need to go for business. The "problem" is that my trips are usually informal affairs, arranged on short notice, and depending on the location, just day-trips. So, it's all usually arranged over the phone between the company in China and my company.

Unfortunately, my "company" has left me to arrange this on my own. However, they would be willing to write a letter for me stating my need to go into China for business reasons, if I need further justification.

Anyone familiar with this type of visa, or been in a similiar situation?

Thanks.

[lybenben]

Hi
I haven't applied for a Chinese visa before, but I can give you some information, hope it is of some help to you:

Assuming you're in HK at the moment, you should approach the Visa Section of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong SAR. The address is: 湾仔区港湾道26号华润大厦低座7楼 (7th floor, China Resources bldg., 26 Harbour
Rd., Wanchai , HongKong)
Tel: 852-34132424
Fax: 852- 34132312
email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
(I suggest you phone them directly, since usually they do not reply to emails promptly)
Website: www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/lsfw/default.htm
(Unfortunately, the website only has a Chinese version- it will be helpful if you can read Chinese)
Office hours: 9-12, 2-5 Mon-Fri

As you are going to mainland China for BUSINESS VISITS, you should apply for the "F Visa" (商务访问签证). You do need a letter from your company (in the mainland). If you wish to gain a multiple-entry BUSINESS VISA, you would also need to provide some other document/form provided -《被授权单位签证通知表》. (I don't know what doc/form this is, you'd have to consult others, preferably of course the Foreign Commissioner's Office)

Usually it takes 3 days for the visa to be processed.
A half year multiple visa would cost HKD 780.

I hope the above information can help you. Nonetheless, I strongly suggest that you approach the Foreign Ministry Office in HK.

[kirlex]

For your case, there are two types of visas:
1- Tourist Visa (L): Allows Single / Double entry, Valid for 3 months, Duration of stay 1-60 days .
2- Visit / Business Visa (F): Allows Single / Double entry / Multiple entry, Valid for 3 months or 6 / 12 months, Duration of stay 1-60 days.

The L visa is not hard to obtain. For the F visa, you do indeed need a letter of invitation from a Chinese company.

Hope this helps.

[Levi]

Thanks, lybenben. I'll give them a ring.

[tx75070]

No you don't need a letter. I am an american and I am on my 2nd 6 month multiple entry visa. They make you fill out an application. When you check that you want a business visa (category F) you need to provide an address and phone number of who you will visit. Just take the business card of someone you work with in China and copy down the info. You only need to put down one address even if you do business with mulitple companies. I don't think they even verify. You could make up an address, and nobody would say anything.

Since you are an american they will not given you a multiple entry 6 month visa right out of the shoot. You need to first get a single entry or double entry (category F). Once you have used that visa, you need to get another single or double entry visa. Once you have used your 2nd single or double entry category F visa, they will then allow you to get a 6 month multiple entry visa. They force you to use a couple of single entry or double entry visas, because they want you to prove that you really need a muliple entry visa. I thinkthe real reason they do it is because they get extra money as you have to pay for 2 visas before you get your multiple entry visa.

[Levi]

Thanks, tx. I heard sort of the same thing when I called up CTS to try to get the visa thru them instead of directly thru the embassy.

So, I need to get a single or double entry visa first, or maybe a couple times before they'll give me the 6 month one. In that case, does it matter where I get it? CTS or directly from the embassy? All I have to make sure of is that I am applying for the category F visa? I'm assuming this means "business" visa.

Thanks tx and everyone else for your help.

[punk]

Originally Posted by tx75070

No you don't need a letter. I am an american and I am on my 2nd 6 month multiple entry visa. They make you fill out an application. When you check that you want a business visa (category F) you need to provide an address and phone number of who you will visit. Just take the business card of someone you work with in China and copy down the info. You only need to put down one address even if you do business with mulitple companies. I don't think they even verify. You could make up an address, and nobody would say anything.

Since you are an american they will not given you a multiple entry 6 month visa right out of the shoot. You need to first get a single entry or double entry (category F). Once you have used that visa, you need to get another single or double entry visa. Once you have used your 2nd single or double entry category F visa, they will then allow you to get a 6 month multiple entry visa. They force you to use a couple of single entry or double entry visas, because they want you to prove that you really need a muliple entry visa. I thinkthe real reason they do it is because they get extra money as you have to pay for 2 visas before you get your multiple entry visa.

Dude, my company got me a double entry that's good for a year. I had to follow the procedure outlined above but ended with the aforementioned scenario...

[sylvesterjay]

My company also got me a 6 month multi-entry visa. You should be asking yourself why your company leaves you to fend for yourself and not do this for you.

[Levi]

punk, sylvester: thanks for the input. I wish I was so lucky that my "company" would help me out with this. Alas... I work for a university. Money doesn't flow so easily in academia, esp. for lower-level peeps (read: non-professor) such as me.

And... IF I asked myself "why I am NOT working for a company that would provide this type of support to me?" everytime something like this comes up... I would have never come to HK. Instead, I would have had stayed in the US, with my 3X-as-much salary, benefits, nice car, and my own office.

Sigh... why didn't I go into banking or finance?

[tx75070]

Originally Posted by sylvesterjay

My company also got me a 6 month multi-entry visa. You should be asking yourself why your company leaves you to fend for yourself and not do this for you.

What I wrote is the requirement if you are American. Judging by the canadian flag next to your name, your situation would be different.