The Chinese Visa Underworld

My work visa expired shortly after I left China at the end of June this year. I've been wanting to head back to the mainland for the past few months now because I really miss the food: Xinjiang lamb kebabs, Mongolian/Sichuan hot pot, Dongbei dumplings, etc. The closest place to HK to get my fix is only 15 minutes from my home, Shenzhen. In fact, I actually live much closer to Shenzhen than downtown Hong Kong.

So the first order of business before I make it to the mainland is attaining a visa. After trying to figure out the cheapest (yes, there are different prices) and most efficient way to get a Chinese visa in HK, you quickly find that the rules are different according to who you are, where you come from and who you talk to.

If you arrive in mainland China from your own country, you'll have to pick up a Chinese visa from the embassy/consulate closest to you. The rules for Canadians are posted here. You'll have to apply for an L visa, or a tourist visa that is either single or double entry and is valid for 3 months per entry. If you are backpacking in China and will overstay the 3 month visa, you'll have to head to a public security bureau in China and apply for an extension; which isn't always approved, I'm told. This 'legit' way of applying for a visa is the most expensive and time consuming method. For Canadians applying in Canada, it costs $50 CDN (approx $40 US) for a single entry visa and it takes 4 business days. In HK, I can go to a travel agent and get a single entry visa for $200 HK (approx $25 US) and that includes next day service.

What makes things interesting is the fact that many travel agencies and businesses in Hong Kong can get you multiple entry one year business visas to China. Nevermind the fact you're a student, teacher, backpacker, or lawyer - no, as long as you hand over the cash, you can get yourself one of these business visas. However, if you're English or American, it looks like you may not be able to get this visa or at least at the same low price as a Canadian would, anyway. My American friend, Tim, tried applying for the same visa I got and he was told he has to apply for 2 single or double entry business visas before he can get a 6 month or a 1 year multi-entry business visa. But the consulate seems to stick to the true wording of the visa rules so Tim will probably never be able to get the same visas I can get simply because he's not a businessman and he's American. That's a shame...not a nice way to treat citizens of China's biggest trade partner!

So I got a 6 month multi-entry "F" visa from a Japanese travel agency here in HK. It was the best deal I could find without actually having to visit the Chinese consulate here. I don't have time to get over to HK Island and wait in line during business hours since I have to teach. If you look at their site, you'll notice that there is no mention of what kind of visa you're getting: business, tourist, etc. They just let you choose between a 3 month single entry , 3 month entry double, 6 month multi-entry and 1 year multi-entry visa.

In effect, what this company, and countless other companies in HK are doing is getting you an F visa (business) if you apply for the 6 month or 1 year multi-entry visas. But how could they do that? On this page, it says you need "the(sic) invitation letter from the inviting unit or a visa notification letter/telegram from the authorised unit is required." What the hell? What invitation letter? Which inviting unit? Which authorised unit?

What happens is these travel agencies and visa application companies in HK have set up businesses on the mainland, usually in nearby Shenzhen. The business there then issues you a letter inviting you to the mainland. Of course, corruption probably plays a part in this whole charade because if a weekend sleuth like me can find out how this is done, I'm sure Chinese officials could figure out what's going on, too.

Anyway, in a long winded way, what I'm trying to say is, if you're traveling in China but landing in HK first and then entering the mainland, get your visa in HK. If you're an American or a British national, you'll be paying more for a Chinese visa along with citizens of Angola, Armenia, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Uzbekstan. Other nations may be included too, you'll have to consult with your local Chinese embassy. Visa rules and prices change all the time so hopefully you can get your China visa when your country's bilateral relations are warm and fuzzy.

So I'm off to Shenzhen this weekend!