............posted on the webpage of a HK travel agency:
QUOTE
For the applicants who already had China Visa before, and would like to apply for L or F Visa again, their previous visa should be totally expired OR has been cancelled before application
UNQUOTE
See also the comments:
VISA EXPIRES AUTOMATICALLY ONCE THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IS USED UP !
Please also see more than 300 posts on http://www.geoexpat.com/
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Changes on the "Commissioner's Office" webpage regarding F visa
Significant change in the section "Visa categories and the requirements of supporting documents" - for F Visa (this must have been only up-dated in the last days):
QUOTE
2. F visa for business and visit (updated from April,2008)
To apply for single or double entry business and visit visa
(1) "Visa Notification Form" issued by the relevant department
of Chinese government or the government-authorized company;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of return flight ticket booking;
To apply for multiple-entry business visa, "Visa Notification Form" issued by authorized Foreign Affairs Office or Bureau of Commerce(original),together with Hong Kong Permanent ID card (original and photocopy) and other possible supporting documentation( Registration Certificate of your company in China, etc) are needed. Multiple-entry visa is issued at the discretion of the consular officers.
UNQUOTE
Added is the part "To apply for multiple-entry business visa"
This means:
Having the "visa notification letter" + "PERMANENT HK ID" but maybe no "other possible supporting documentation" (above named "Registration Certificate of your company in China") - the multiple F visa application can / will be denied. So we all need to become "tourists" now and contribute to the HK travel agency industry.
This kind of requirements was even not necessary 20 years ago - Cheers !
But then the link on same webpage "Additional information" should be up-dated also - right ? http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/qtxx/default.htm
QUOTE
2. F visa for business and visit (updated from April,2008)
To apply for single or double entry business and visit visa
(1) "Visa Notification Form" issued by the relevant department
of Chinese government or the government-authorized company;
(2)A copy of Chinese hotel booking;
(3)A copy of return flight ticket booking;
To apply for multiple-entry business visa, "Visa Notification Form" issued by authorized Foreign Affairs Office or Bureau of Commerce(original),together with Hong Kong Permanent ID card (original and photocopy) and other possible supporting documentation( Registration Certificate of your company in China, etc) are needed. Multiple-entry visa is issued at the discretion of the consular officers.
UNQUOTE
Added is the part "To apply for multiple-entry business visa"
This means:
Having the "visa notification letter" + "PERMANENT HK ID" but maybe no "other possible supporting documentation" (above named "Registration Certificate of your company in China") - the multiple F visa application can / will be denied. So we all need to become "tourists" now and contribute to the HK travel agency industry.
This kind of requirements was even not necessary 20 years ago - Cheers !
But then the link on same webpage "Additional information" should be up-dated also - right ? http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/qtxx/default.htm
SCMP 29.04. Confusing comment......
Page 3: "Baffled visa - seekers on road to nowhere":
"...........................they require people from all countries to apply for China visas in their home countries".
This seems to be wrong info - it should read: ....require people from a list of 33 countries to apply for China visas in their home countries".
List of this 33 countries in an earlier post.
"...........................they require people from all countries to apply for China visas in their home countries".
This seems to be wrong info - it should read: ....require people from a list of 33 countries to apply for China visas in their home countries".
List of this 33 countries in an earlier post.
Monday, April 28, 2008
To avoid misunderstandings
This blog is not "against China" !
This blog is against an unreasonable and maybe not very well consulted change of "china visa politics".
This blog is for the many people who travel China very frequently - not for the purpose of "pure traveling". This is for business.
These people "travel" for the purpose of business visits, meetings + quality control at their chinese business partners site.
Many of us have chosen China as our manufacturing base, including all positive and all negative effects.
It is not "understandable" why "foreign passport holders" with a reasonable "visa history" are now almost completely "blocked" to follow their business on the mainland and to visit their business partners on the mainland.
Even more not "understandable" it is why a "foreign passport holder" with a permanent HK ID card now gets a 1x entry for a maximum of 2 days - permitted to Shenzhen only, same passport holder has a visa history of almost 10 years with nearly 250 - 300 entries/exits including Z visas.
The advice by the "Consul" to apply in Guangzhou for the "VISA NOTIFICATION LETTER" and then getting a visa issued "permitted to Shenzhen only" is quite irritating:
Probably this is already breaking the "exit/entry law for aliens" when going to Guangzhou to apply for this "VISA NOTIFICATION LETTER" as the visa is "permitted to Shenzhen" only.
We are not "terrorists", we are not "trouble-makers" + we are not "Tibet activists" or whatever could be any concern of "disturbing the social order + harmony" on the mainland.
It should be taken into serious consideration by the responsible department in Beijing to introduce some "slight amendments" to this "new china visa" policy very quickly.
Also the "Hong Kong SAR" government should raise a word about this "new china visa" policies - isn't it ?
Last note: Personally it is a "heavy slap" directly in the face, makes many business people feel very embarrassed + frustrated and sad: Why getting this kind of treatment after so many years ?
This blog is against an unreasonable and maybe not very well consulted change of "china visa politics".
This blog is for the many people who travel China very frequently - not for the purpose of "pure traveling". This is for business.
These people "travel" for the purpose of business visits, meetings + quality control at their chinese business partners site.
Many of us have chosen China as our manufacturing base, including all positive and all negative effects.
It is not "understandable" why "foreign passport holders" with a reasonable "visa history" are now almost completely "blocked" to follow their business on the mainland and to visit their business partners on the mainland.
Even more not "understandable" it is why a "foreign passport holder" with a permanent HK ID card now gets a 1x entry for a maximum of 2 days - permitted to Shenzhen only, same passport holder has a visa history of almost 10 years with nearly 250 - 300 entries/exits including Z visas.
The advice by the "Consul" to apply in Guangzhou for the "VISA NOTIFICATION LETTER" and then getting a visa issued "permitted to Shenzhen only" is quite irritating:
Probably this is already breaking the "exit/entry law for aliens" when going to Guangzhou to apply for this "VISA NOTIFICATION LETTER" as the visa is "permitted to Shenzhen" only.
We are not "terrorists", we are not "trouble-makers" + we are not "Tibet activists" or whatever could be any concern of "disturbing the social order + harmony" on the mainland.
It should be taken into serious consideration by the responsible department in Beijing to introduce some "slight amendments" to this "new china visa" policy very quickly.
Also the "Hong Kong SAR" government should raise a word about this "new china visa" policies - isn't it ?
Last note: Personally it is a "heavy slap" directly in the face, makes many business people feel very embarrassed + frustrated and sad: Why getting this kind of treatment after so many years ?
Relevant Department of Chinese............
Government in Shanghai to issue the "visa notification letter" - info by Richard Brubaker here:
http://www.allroadsleadtochina.com/index.php/2008/04/27/china-f-visa-update-i-bring-good-news-for-some/
Sounds still very complicate (compared with what was before) - but it seems this is pure intention.
Any reader already got a visa notification letter issued and filed a successful application for multiply entry visa with this "Letter" ?
Would like to know if this "multiply entry visa" shows any further restriction - like only permitted for Shanghai or any province for example.
http://www.allroadsleadtochina.com/index.php/2008/04/27/china-f-visa-update-i-bring-good-news-for-some/
Sounds still very complicate (compared with what was before) - but it seems this is pure intention.
Any reader already got a visa notification letter issued and filed a successful application for multiply entry visa with this "Letter" ?
Would like to know if this "multiply entry visa" shows any further restriction - like only permitted for Shanghai or any province for example.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
WALL STREET JOURNAL
Please also read several new posts below and what the WALL STREET JOURNAL reports on china visa news:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120917750942747113.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120917750942747113.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Mrs Fiona Mak from Tseung Kwan O plays the "racist card" in the SCMP today
A readers comment on page A12 today - here some parts of it:
"It is clear from letters by expatriates in these columns, about their demand for visa-free entry to the mainland, that there is a need for some kind of a test for future applicants for HK permanent residency, to ensure that they have some basic knowledge of residency status........Perhaps jobs which require frequent trips into and out of the mainland should be handled by personnel who have the right of free entry.
There is no reason why because of a small number of expatriates are vociferous, priority should be given to their personal issues........Foreign nationals who have acquired their permanent residency from arrangements which Hong Kong has adopted from the previous administration..........."
I probably have missed some of the letters Mrs Mak is referring to but I guess it is the topic that also "foreign passport holders" with perm HK ID card should get the right to receive the China home return card. And I agree that we should get this home return card by 100%.
We "small number of vociferous expatriates" already hire + pay personnel who have the right of free entry - means local HK staff.
Don't worry we are sending them often enough - but if you allow we sometimes should have the "right" to see what is going on in the factories on the mainland and to see with our "gweilo eyes" the quality of the products we have ordered and we have to pay for.
You maybe remember there have been some emails earlier to some members of the LEGCO. 1 answer by Hon Mrs. Rita Fan (president of LEGCO). Very much appreciated this answer.
No answer from Hon Mrs. Anson Chan, no answer from Hon Mrs. Sophie Leung (garment + manufacturing) and no answer from Hon Mr. Howard Young the legislator for the tourism section who was stating that this new measures are "understandable".
"It is clear from letters by expatriates in these columns, about their demand for visa-free entry to the mainland, that there is a need for some kind of a test for future applicants for HK permanent residency, to ensure that they have some basic knowledge of residency status........Perhaps jobs which require frequent trips into and out of the mainland should be handled by personnel who have the right of free entry.
There is no reason why because of a small number of expatriates are vociferous, priority should be given to their personal issues........Foreign nationals who have acquired their permanent residency from arrangements which Hong Kong has adopted from the previous administration..........."
I probably have missed some of the letters Mrs Mak is referring to but I guess it is the topic that also "foreign passport holders" with perm HK ID card should get the right to receive the China home return card. And I agree that we should get this home return card by 100%.
We "small number of vociferous expatriates" already hire + pay personnel who have the right of free entry - means local HK staff.
Don't worry we are sending them often enough - but if you allow we sometimes should have the "right" to see what is going on in the factories on the mainland and to see with our "gweilo eyes" the quality of the products we have ordered and we have to pay for.
You maybe remember there have been some emails earlier to some members of the LEGCO. 1 answer by Hon Mrs. Rita Fan (president of LEGCO). Very much appreciated this answer.
No answer from Hon Mrs. Anson Chan, no answer from Hon Mrs. Sophie Leung (garment + manufacturing) and no answer from Hon Mr. Howard Young the legislator for the tourism section who was stating that this new measures are "understandable".
SCMP: "Chamber bemoans visa woes"........
"EU Chamber of Commerce in Beijing said the mainland's new visa rules were hampering economic co-operation between China and the EU" and if you turn to the next page:
"EU - China talks focus on business relationship":
"Flanked by a delegation of nine EU commissioners, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a three-day exchange........"
I have sent an email to Mr Barroso and asked him to mention the" China Visa "problem". during this visit.
See the link of the Chinese Consulate in Sydney with very clear explanations for all Visa types.
It is very much to question why the info on the web-site of the Commissioners Office in HK looks extremely "messy" compared with this one from Sydney:
http://sydney.chineseconsulate.org/eng/hzqz/t206877.htm
"EU - China talks focus on business relationship":
"Flanked by a delegation of nine EU commissioners, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a three-day exchange........"
I have sent an email to Mr Barroso and asked him to mention the" China Visa "problem". during this visit.
See the link of the Chinese Consulate in Sydney with very clear explanations for all Visa types.
It is very much to question why the info on the web-site of the Commissioners Office in HK looks extremely "messy" compared with this one from Sydney:
http://sydney.chineseconsulate.org/eng/hzqz/t206877.htm
THE FEELING OF GETTING A KICK IN THE...........
What is really disturbing with the whole CHINA VISA ISSUE ?
It is the wrong signal in the wrong direction - and it makes people angry + dissapointed ("foreign passport holders" with permanent HK ID card for example) who have spent a lot of money in China the last years, who have placed many orders to China factories - and now we get a KICK IN THE........!
The permanent + penetrant repeating of Mrs Jiang Yu (Foreign Ministry spokeswoman) that "multiply entry visas are still available for "eligible applicants" - is only the half truth - she always forgets to mention that this "eligible applicants" need to visit some "Chamber of Commerce" or "Security Office" on the mainland (in the province this "eligible applicants" want to travel most often) to apply for the "visa notification letter" together with other certifications (your company letter + for safety also a letter of at least 1 of your chinese business partners - do not forget the RED CHOP) - this is such a buerocratric difficulty that many of the "eligible applicants" will not do this or will fail to obtain this paper. They will rather prefer to apply double-entry TOURIST L VISA for HKD 1,500 or more through local travel agencies.
By the way:
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HKSAR DOING ? It seems not too much.............
It is the wrong signal in the wrong direction - and it makes people angry + dissapointed ("foreign passport holders" with permanent HK ID card for example) who have spent a lot of money in China the last years, who have placed many orders to China factories - and now we get a KICK IN THE........!
The permanent + penetrant repeating of Mrs Jiang Yu (Foreign Ministry spokeswoman) that "multiply entry visas are still available for "eligible applicants" - is only the half truth - she always forgets to mention that this "eligible applicants" need to visit some "Chamber of Commerce" or "Security Office" on the mainland (in the province this "eligible applicants" want to travel most often) to apply for the "visa notification letter" together with other certifications (your company letter + for safety also a letter of at least 1 of your chinese business partners - do not forget the RED CHOP) - this is such a buerocratric difficulty that many of the "eligible applicants" will not do this or will fail to obtain this paper. They will rather prefer to apply double-entry TOURIST L VISA for HKD 1,500 or more through local travel agencies.
By the way:
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HKSAR DOING ? It seems not too much.............
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