Update on China visa situation in Hong Kong - new
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Hong Kong,
China
Thursday, July 10, 2008
As you may know, the new rules for China visas has created a lot of confusion.
From 1 July some new measures were supposed to come into place (but some proved to be just rumours), and now, less than a month out, most of the new rules and regulations and requirements have kicked in (but some haven't).
The bottom line is, you need more documentation to come into China. And for those who have been on F visas - working, hanging out, travelling - you also need more documentation. And possibly a Chinese wife/husband.
So let's review the situation. And again, I am indebted to ChinaTravel.net who have consolidated the information (though it hasn't been updated since 18 June). Go to their site for more info and also comments - http://www.chinatravel.net/Forum/ForumTopicInfo.asp?Topic=314
1. No blacks or terrorists
If you are from a Muslim, Arab or other country which has either four letters - Iran, Iraq, Mali - or one which is hard to spell (such as Borat's home country) - Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan - then you have to go home to apply for your visa. You can't do it in Hong Kong or Macau anymore. Why? Possibly you are black - Gambia, Ghana, Sudan, Congo - or you are from a terrorist country - Libya, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Syria - and we don't want you here for the Olympics.
2. Less, entries, less visas, less days, less freedom
Most visas being issued now are single entry (double entry if you can prove you need it, with air tickets) tourist - L- visas and are for 30 days. And some people aren't getting granted visas (see 3). Extensions are being given for a month only, but in some cases just for 7 days, or less.
3. New documentation is required.
Now you have to front up with real (or real looking) hotel bookings, return flight tickets, and in some cases, your entire trip plan. And the latest, is that visa prices have been effected by inflation, and are now double what they used to be in the good old days - 2007. Government invitations are the only ones which seem to get you visa and extensions these days. If you need an invitation try http://fxzl.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-get-private-invitation-letter.html
PS US citizens also pay more in retaliation for China's loss of face over tainted toothpaste, lead in toys, Yao Ming's NBA performance, etc
4. Some outfits are making money from the situation
Some travel agencies are making money from the visa situation, including my providing internet bookings for travel and accommodation, as well as some agencies offering 'black' visas.
5. Some foreigners are leaving China
Some longterm residents are leaving, heading back to the US, or to Laos, Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia to sweat it out til October. Others still inside China report increased security checkpoints, the need for more documentation about what they are doing, and some anti-foreigner sentiment in the lead up to the Olympics.
6. After the Olympics, everything will return to normal - or not
Depending on how the Olympics and the Paralympics go, things should return to normal around the middle of October. Why so long after the Games? Everyone in China will either be celebrating and recovering from putting on their best, or they will be lynching foreign protestors and purging the rest out of the Middle Kingdom, for another two or three decades of self-imposed cloistering.
