FAQ on Visa & Passports
Visa & Passports FAQs
- Do I need a visa to enter Macau as a tourist?
- How To Get My China Visa In Hong Kong?
- What are the Methods of obtaining a China Visa?
- Do I need visa for China?
- How to get an invitation letter from your company for my visa application?
- Do I need visa for a visit to Hong Kong?
- What do you mean by passport photo?
- Online Visa Appplication
- Do I need a visa to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
- How to have my visa extended?
- Hong Kong visa free list for foreign countries
- Should I apply for visa now, or should we wait until we are closer to the time of travel?
- What type of visa do I need? Should I apply for special visa when leaving and re-entering mainland China?
- What should I do if I lose my passport during my stay in china?
- How Do I Get Visa For A Visit To Shenzhen Special Economic Zone
- What do I need for visa application?
- What type of visa should I apply for my group? A group visa or individual visa?
- Can I travel to Tibet independently?
- What are the requirements for a UK man to be able to reside in China when married to a Chinese National, female?
- What is an Invitation Letter? How can I get one?
Do I need a visa to enter Macau as a tourist?
Valid Passport or Travel Entry Permit is required for one to enter Macau. The period of validity should be 30 days at least. If you join in a tour group, the procedure for visa transaction should be processed by any of the travel agencies in Macau.
Macau Visas are required to all travelers who travel to Macau except:
a) Holders of the "Hong Kong Identity Card", "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" or "Hong Kong Reentry Permit" can stay up to one year;
b) Passport holders of France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Egypt, Greece, Holland, Finland, Austria, Hungary, Czech, Norway, Iceland, Britain, Ireland, Rumania, Estonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Tanzania, Cyprus, Lebanon, Poland, Lithuania, South Korea and Malta can stay up to 90 days;
c) Passport holders of South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Philippines, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, USA, Uruguay, Turkey, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Samoa, Seychelles, Monaco, Namibia, Israel and Kiribati can stay up to 30 days;
d) Nationals of China mainland with valid Macau entry/depart documents, including residents of Mainland China .
How To Get My China Visa In Hong Kong?
Get a visa yourself Visa at
Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC.
7th Floor, Lower Block, 26 Harbor Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel:
24-hour recorded visa information service: 852-34132300
Live answering telephone: 852-34132424 (available hours: 10:00-11:00am and 3:00-4:00pm on workdays)
Fax: 852-34132312
Email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/bgfwxx/default.htm
Note:
1) Office hours are 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, Monday to Friday (except on Hong Kong public holidays)
2) "Within One working day" means: the visa should be processed within 24 hours; "Fast Process" means: the visa should be processed the same day.
3) For safety reasons, all applicants and their belongings are required to go through security check at the entrance of the visa office. It is suggested that applicants do not take luggage to the visa office.
Requirements to obtain a Visa in Hong Kong
A. 1 recent passport photo.
B. Passport which needs to be valid at least more than 3 months.
C. Call the office before your visit.
A China Tourist and Business (F) Visa can be obtained easily in Hong Kong. It can be obtained with the help of a travel agent but at least 3 full working days should be allowed for this procedure.
What are the Methods of obtaining a China Visa?
China Highlights recommends that you obtain your visa before leaving the country where you live.
The costs and the length of time to process a visa vary from country to country. Please check the website for the Chinese Embassy in your country to find the information applicable to you. Application forms can usually be downloaded from the web site. China Highlights Travel Service can also supply a current visa application form.
please visit the following web and click on the name of the country where you live to obtain this information,http://www.guilinchina.net/customer/get_a_visa.htm
Do I need visa for China?
All visitors traveling to mainland China, whether for business or pleasure, require a visa. No Visa is required prior to enter Hong Kong, a Visa will be issued upon arrival. If you travel beyond Hong Kong, even for a few hours, you will need a China visa to enter China.
How to get an invitation letter from your company for my visa application?
In order to apply for a visa to our country, you may need an invitation letter from an official travel company. We will supply this letter to our clients after they confirm the tour booking by written form.
Please E-mail us the following information so that we can complete the invitation.
1. Names as the same on the passport;
2. Sex: male or female
3. Date of birth:(Example:SEP.6th, 1962)
4. Passport No:
5. Your fax number
Upon receiving your information, we will fax you your tour confirmation letter on our official stationery with our company seal.
2. sex Male
3. oct 25/1984
4. passport no EP1029861
5. fax no +251465552277
Sex: male
Date of birth: DEC.6th, 1984
Passport No:H2415990
Your fax number 23321861927
E-MAIL IS amoni233@gmail.com
Sex: male
Date of birth: DEC.6th, 1984
Passport No:H2415990
Your fax number 23321861927
E-MAIL IS amoni233@gmail.com
Do I need visa for a visit to Hong Kong?
Residents of most countries can enter Hong Kong without applying for a visa in advance and are allowed to stay for 90 days. A visa will be issued on arrival.
To check the status of your country, please vist the following page: http://www.chinahighlights.com/faq/travel-tips/visa-passport/hong-kong-visa-free-countries-list.htm
What do you mean by passport photo?
The Chinese consulate requires a photo similar to the one in your passport. They will only accept photos which are head-only, full frontal, with a white background, approximately 1-1/2. Cut-outs from personal photographs are not acceptable.
Online Visa Appplication
No problem: Chinahighlights.com is offering a Visa-Service for US-Residents Click here to go to our Online Visa Application Center
Do I need a visa to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
Foreign visitors in Hong Kong can visit Guangdong Province for a maximum of 144 hours (6 days) via entry ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou and Shantou* using the 144-hour Convenient Visa. (*The 144-hour Convenient Visa also applies to visitors travelling to Shantou in tour groups, on the condition that they enter and leave via Shantou.)
To apply for the 144-hour Convenient Visa, visitors –
1. must join a tour organised by a registered Hong Kong Travel Agent
2. must travel in a group consisting of a minimum 3 persons and a maximum of 40 persons
3. can have a choice of ports of entry or exit in Guangdong Province
4. must enter and leave the areas together via the above-stated ports of entry.
At the ports of entry and exit in Guangdong Province, immigration officers will examine passports and the list of names in the group. Group members will not need to fill in any immigration cards for passport stamping.
The above policy is applicable to ordinary passport holders of nations with diplomatic relations with China. You may contact your hotel concierge or tour operators in Hong Kong to find out about the application procedure and related service charges.
The following are some major tour operators organising group tours using 144-hour Convenient Visa:
Able & Promotion Tours Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2544 5656
Email: enquiry@able-tours.com
China Travel Service (HK) Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2853 3531
Email: info@ctshk.com
Gray Line Tours of Hong Kong Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2368 7111
Email: sales@grayline.com.hk
Splendid Tours & Travel Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2316 2151
Email: info@splendid.hk
Vigor Tours Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2739 3828
Email: general@vigorholding.com.hk
Tiptop Tours & Travel Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2366 7070
Email: antony@tiptoptours.com.hk
How to have my visa extended?
Foreigners who want to stay in China beyond the duration of their visa need to apply for an extension.
The visa extension application should be a form submitted to the Local Public Security Bureau 7 days before the expiration date of the visa.
Visitors traveling with a group on a group visa and who want to stay longer than the group should apply for an individual visa.
Visitors who want their visa to be extended should provide the following evidential materials:
1. Valid passport and visa
2. A completed application form for visa extension
3. Reason for the extension.
The length of the extension depends on the type of visa and Multiple entry visas can not be extended
You are advised not to overstay the duration of your visa or fail to apply for an extension before your visa expires as you risk being heavily fined and have your travel plans disrupted.
Please contact your travel advisor for assistance in visa extensions.
Hong Kong visa free list for foreign countries
Below is Hong Kong visa free list for foreign countries.
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Name of the country
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Visa-free period
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14days
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30days
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90days
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Algeria
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*
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Andorra
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*
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Angola
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*
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Anguilla
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*
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Antigua & Barbuda
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*
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Argentina
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*
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Australia
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*
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Austria
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*
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Bahamas
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*
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Bahrain
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*
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Barbados
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*
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Belgium
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*
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Belize
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*
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Benin
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*
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Bermuda
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*
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Bhutan
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*
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Bolivia
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*
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Bosnia
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*
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Botswana
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*
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Brazil
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*
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Britain
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6 months
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British Antarctic Territory
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*
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British Indian Ocean Territory
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*
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British Virgin Islands
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*
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Brunei
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*
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Burundi
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*
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Burkina Faso
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*
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Canada
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*
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Cape Verde (Republic of )
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*
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Cayman Islands
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*
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Central African Republic
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*
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Chad
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*
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Chile
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*
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Colombia
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*
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Comoros
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*
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Congo (Democratic Republic of)
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*
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Congo (Republic of)
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*
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Costa Rica
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*
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Cote d'Ivoire (Republic of)
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*
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Croatia
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*
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Cyprus (Republic of )
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*
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Czech
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*
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Denmark
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*
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Djibouti
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*
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Dominica (Commonwealth of)
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*
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Dominican
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*
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Ecuador
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*
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Egypt
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*
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El Salvador
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*
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Equatorial Guinea
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*
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Estonia
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*
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Ethiopia
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*
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Falkland Islands
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*
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Falkland Islands Dependencies
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*
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Faroe Islands
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*
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Fiji
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*
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Finland
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*
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France
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*
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Gabon
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*
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Gambia
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*
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Germany
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*
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Ghana
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*
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Gibraltar
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*
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Greece
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*
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Greenland
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*
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Guatemala
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*
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Guinea
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*
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Guinea-Bissau
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*
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Guyana
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*
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Haiti
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*
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Honduras
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*
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Hungary
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*
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Iceland
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*
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India
|
*
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Indonesia
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*
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Ireland (Republic of)
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*
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Israel
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*
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Italy
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*
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Jamaica
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*
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Japan
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*
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Jordan
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*
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Kenya
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*
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Kiribati
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*
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Korea (Republic of)
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*
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Kuwait
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*
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Latvia
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*
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Lesotho
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*
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Liechtenstein
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*
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Lithuania
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*
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Luxembourg
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*
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Macedonia
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*
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Madagascar
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*
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Malawi
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*
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Malaysia
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*
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Maldives
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*
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Mali
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*
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Malta
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*
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Marshall Islands (Republic of)
|
*
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Mauritania
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*
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Mauritius
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*
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Mexico
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*
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Micronesia (Federated States of)
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*
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Monaco
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*
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Mongolia
|
*
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Montserrat
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*
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Morocco
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*
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Mozambique
|
*
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Namibia
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*
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Nauru
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|
*
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Netherlands
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*
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New Zealand
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*
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Niger
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*
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Norway
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*
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Oman
|
*
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Palau
|
*
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Papua New Guinea
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|
|
*
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Paraguay
|
|
*
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Peru
|
|
*
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Philipines
|
*
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Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie & Oeno Islands
|
|
|
*
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Poland
|
|
|
*
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Portugal
|
|
|
*
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Qatar
|
*
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|
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Romania
|
|
|
*
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Rwanda
|
*
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Western Samoa
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|
*
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San Marino
|
|
|
*
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Sao Tome and Principe
|
*
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Saudi Arabia
|
*
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Seychelles
|
|
|
*
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Singapore
|
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|
*
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Slovenia
|
|
|
*
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Slovakia(Republic of )
|
|
|
*
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South Africa
|
|
*
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Spain
|
|
|
*
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Sri Lanka
|
|
*
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St. Helena
|
|
|
*
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St. Helena Dependencies (Ascension, Tristan da Cunha)
|
|
|
*
|
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St. Kitts-Nevis Anguilla
|
|
|
*
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St. Lucia
|
|
|
*
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St.Vincent & the Grenadines
|
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|
*
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Suriname
|
*
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Swaziland
|
|
|
*
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Sweden
|
|
|
*
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Switzerland
|
|
|
*
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Tanzania
|
|
|
*
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Thailand
|
|
*
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|
Should I apply for visa now, or should we wait until we are closer to the time of travel?
The Chinese visa is generally valid for 3 months from the issue date to enter China. Please apply for your visa within 3 months of entry into according to your travel itinerary, and avoid expiry of visa, or extra cost of urgent fee due to lack of application process time. Please also decide the duration of stay in China. The permitted duration of stay of Chinese visas are generally up to 30 days. If you need to stay longer, please apply to the local public security bureau in China for visa extension.
What type of visa do I need? Should I apply for special visa when leaving and re-entering mainland China?
Single-entry China visas are usually valid for 3 months after the issue date, and will permit you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days. This visa will allow you to travel as a tourist or conduct general business activities. Most people need only to apply for a single-entry.
You need to apply for 'double' or 'multiple'entry Visa if you need to leave and re-entering mainland China. Please keep in mind that even when you leave for Hong Kong, Macao from mainland China, you still need to have 'double' or 'multiple' entry Visa.
What should I do if I lose my passport during my stay in china?
- Be sure to check if your passport is indeed lost before you report it. Once it is reported lost, it is cancelled and no longer valid, and you’ll need a replacement. Also note that offices handling such issues usually close on weekends and public holidays.
- Ask your tour guide for assistance, and immediately report the loss to the nearest Public Security Bureau, who will issue a proof of loss for you.
- Go to your hotel and ask for stamped proof of your residency.
- Have your original identity and proof of citizenship (must be the original government-issued photo ID document).
- Have about 8 passport photos 2" X 2" (5 cm X 5 cm) with a white background. It usually needs 2 photos for the application of new passport, but you will also need photos to apply for visa, emergency passport and your new passport.
- Have a copy of your passport (Suggest you take several copies of your passport before you start your trip just in case)
- With all the things prepared, locate the nearest embassy or consulate of your own country and apply for a replacement passport in person. You’ll be required to complete a new passport application and there will be fee charged for replacing passport. (Check out embassies in China at http://www.chinahighlights.com/embassy/)
- After the new passport is issued, go to the Public Security Bureau and apply for new visa, so you can go on your trip or re-enter your country. Please note that in some cases, a replacement may take weeks to process, and it may be valid only for a limited time. So take especial care of your passport in your journey.
How Do I Get Visa For A Visit To Shenzhen Special Economic Zone
A restricted visa to enter the Shenzhen Economic Zone can be obtained in Hong Kong and at some boarder crossings.
What do I need for visa application?
Your passport (original, not a copy), which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, with at least one blank visa page (amendment pages and pages with bar codes are not acceptable for visa stamping).
One completed, signed Visa Application Form for each passport, with two passport photos. China Highlights Service can supply a current visa application form.
What type of visa should I apply for my group? A group visa or individual visa?
You should apply for an individual visa. A group visa is usually applicable to an organized group which is arranged by tour companies in the originating country and in China. It requires the tourists to enter and exit the country at the same time as a group, and the Chinese Embassy in your country would ask for a special document that requires an official stamp from the tourism bureau in China. China Highlights does not issue this type of document.
Can I travel to Tibet independently?
China's official regulations prevent impendent travelers from traveling to Tibet. China Highlights Travel offers great Packages to Tibet and we will also take care of your Tibet travel permit. A China visa is required in addition to the Tibet travel permit.
.
What are the requirements for a UK man to be able to reside in China when married to a Chinese National, female?
What is an Invitation Letter? How can I get one?
Invitation letter is a written document from an authorized travel company. Tourists may need an invitation letter for the visa apply process. Our company can only provide invitation letters to our clients after they confirm the tour booking in writing.
Q & A about Visa & Passports by Our Customers
I found your address online. I have a Tour Company in Uganda. I have several people who approach me to assist them get China Visa. My only hardle is getting an Invitation letter from China.
How can you help me solve this little problem and what are your charges for the same. Please quote for me very fairly because people here dont pay that much to get a service. Otherwise, I will be giving you lots of business.
Many thanks and kind regards, Chris.
+256 772 862515
i currently have 2 valid passports kiwi and indian. Can i get visa and travel on either of them.
Thanks.

