Shenzhen Visa

S

sherwes

Registered User
Hi, my parents are visiting for a couple of weeks and I want to take my mother to Shenzhen shopping for the day. She is an Australian passport holders (as am I except I also have a HK visa and HK ID).

I just checked on the China Foreign Ministry website and it looks like getting a visa will be quite a process and take 4 working days. The site also says that persons who do not reside "permanently" need to apply for the visa in their home country. Bit of a problem given that mum is already en route to HK tonight. I am not looking forward to lining up for ages only to be told that mum can't get a visa!

Has anyone obtained a visa recently? I had thought that you could just pick one up at the border (except during the olympics when the requirements were a lot stricter).

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
Not that recent but in April we were able to walk with with an Aussie passport and get one. It was actually cheaper than going through the process in HK beforehand. Sorry I can't help you more recent than that.
 
In most countries, you can hire a service to do the visa application process.

For example, my son is a US citizen and a US passport holder even though we live in HK and my husband is a HK local. My son is very young--less than 1-year-old but we were also told that the only way to get a visa for him to travel to China (just to Shenzhen-where my husband works) was to apply first in the USA (his country of citizenship)--this is for the first visa application--subsequent applications can be made in HK.

So, come to think of it, you may just want your mom to call the nearest Chinese consulate and ask them if they can recommend a Visa Processing service. The Chinese consulates abroad require that the person apply for their visa in person or send a representative in their stead--they do not process mail-in orders (they used to but not now).

So, what you do, is hire the service--pay them about $50 USD (that is the standard) and they do all the work for you. Usually you download their forms online, fill them out, add up your total and send in your passport and cheque via some sort of certified mail.

If you were in the States, I would recommend China Visa Service Centre out of Texas which is the service I have done business numerous times with--both personally and for study-abroad trips I coordinated. One time we needed expediated service and they were able to get everything to us in less than 3 days--including shipping time!

I looked online and found this, though:

http://www.chinese-embassy.info/north-america-oceania/visa-aus.htm

From the looks of it, it appears Australians have an easier time of applying for a Chinese visa and that the consulates accept mail-in applications in Australia--which is different from the States.


Otherwise....

I recommend contacting Vernny at Modern Wing Travel--they are in Wan Chai.

Modern Wing Travel

Tel:2403 1632

Morrison Plaza, Wan Chai

They can usually get you a visa expediated. I think you could possibly also go through China Travel Services (many locations in HK) and they can do the work for you--you pay a little fee but at least you don't have to sit in an office for 4 or 5 hours--and since it is only a day-trip to Shenzhen I don't think it's a big deal.

If I were your mom, though, I would just get it taken care of before I even left Australia--it shouldn't be such a big headache considering she can apply by mail.

Hope they have a great trip!
 
if u are going only to shenzhen just to go Lowu and they will issue u 5 day visa for shenzhen only will cost u about 160.00 hkd i think,

they had stopped issuing visas before the olympics but now all is normal
 
Thanks all. I think we will just take the train to Lowu and try to get the visa at the border. Will let you know how we go!
 
Our Aussie guest just got the Shenzhen visa at the border. BUT, you've got to pay in RMB now NOT in HKD.
 
Hi, just wanted to post an update to this.

Australian and UK passport holders can get a visa at the border at Lowu. The visa costs RMB160 for Aussies and over RMB400 for UK passport holders (sorry I can't remember the exact amount for UK). You need to pay in RMB although there is a "travel agency" there that will exchange HK$ for RMB for you. Notwithstanding this I would get the RMB before you go as it saves lining up at the travel agency and, if you need more RMB for shopping once you're through immigration, there are line ups for the ATMs on the mainland side.

US passport holders can not obtain a visa at the border.
 
Sounds like things have got harder and more pricey, do you think it is worth going there still for a day of shopping?
 
Hi Soop, this was the first time I have been so I can't comment on whether it is getting harder or more pricey.

We did most of our shopping at the shopping centre at the train station. I thought it was a fun day out but didn't think it was much cheaper than HK. For instance many of the baby clothes were the same as at Stanley market and around the same price (even after I had bargained down to 30% of the asking price). For instance HK60-70 for a top for a 12 month old. Maybe I am just not patient enough with the bargaining! I would say that a trip probably isn't worth it unless you are really into fake designer handbags and jewellery. I am sure if you were more experienced and could be bothered to haggle for hours you could get some bargains.

One side trip I would recommend is to the Dafen Art Village. It takes about 20 minutes in a cab from the train station. There is every style of art you could imagine - from the old masters through to pop art and also several versions of the Mona Lisa! I bought two paintings and I am really happy with them and thought they were a bargain (even though a Chinese friend told me he could have got them for half the price!). I am sure they could copy and painting you care to choose....
 
Thanks for the advice,
made the trip today was an experience for sure :) There is a little exchange kiosk before HK immigration and once you pass through you can get your visa upstairs just before the china border. Cost me 160 rmb with an Irish passport. Had a great time haggling, was pretty quiet so i used that to my advantage :) Soon as i arrived i was 'befriended' and shown to all 'the best shops' was fun though and got some good deals, overall was a good time if you dont mind being asked by every shop for stuff, i may go back before i leave :)
 
Hmmm...either that exchange kiosk is new or my parents and I walked past it 3 times without noticing it (doh!)...
 
i got a beautiful painting there (priced in stanley AFTER bargaining.... $600-700) for $200RMB!!! they were asking $800...

i was adamant with my bargaining there. a handbag they wanted $500 EACH! I got 3 for $450!!!!
 
ps> veg... i've been getting stuff in the mail for you...anything i should know about? or send on???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top