China visa - must I apply in Australia?

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Isochronous

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So I am currently in China studying on an F visa which expires at the end of September, but I have a spare 2 weeks now and thought it would be best to renew now seeing as I am enrolling in a new programme which will probably want to see the new visa, and getting time off later will be messy (and I suspect travelling at the end of Sept during Mid Autumn festival will be way too busy - PEK airport delays are terrible as it is!)

I need to get another F visa.

However, its not clear whether I must return to Australia to apply for it there (as my home country), of if I could take a shorter trip to renew somewhere else, e.g. HKG probably (or perhaps even SIN).

Can I Get a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong – Monthly Updated Information on Getting a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong. suggests that I can get a double entry in HKG but if I want more than 2 entries, I must return to Australia. Current visa expires on 30 Sept, need to stay until 22 Dec. Need to be back in PEK by Sept 2.

Should I return to Aus to do this or just fix it in HKG? Probably using China Travel Service (China Travel Service (H.K.) Limited) or even the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
I haven't done it myself as I had an APEC card and now a multiple entry visa, but a number of my work colleagues get their visas in Hong Kong. Put the application in and then pick it up the next day.
 
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About 4 years ago I got a Chinese visa from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. This was when I was living in KL and travelling on a NZ passport. I was expecting difficulties but it was surprisingly quick and easy.
 
I always get my visas for China in Hong Kong. There are many agencies that offer the service. It usually takes a day or two. The most I've ever applied for is a double entry business visa. I would suggest you contact one of the agencies in HK and ask them what you options are.
 
I have applied for several Chinese business visas in the last couple of years. The Australian office tells you that you need to apply where you are a resident - once I arrived home from Europe, drove to the embassy place in the city, and applied for a next day visa.... all worked out fine, but it was very inconvenient.

However, I have also had success applying in Bangkok (twice) - same day visa is comparatively cheap, but you spend a lot of the day in traffic, as you go in the morning (peak hour) and collect in the afternoon (also peak hour). Was not a fun day - about 6hrs in taxis....

I have heard that it is easy to get a visa in Hong Kong - although that maybe for tourist, however I have never tried.

Best of luck!!!
 
I'll let you all know what CTS say - I emailed them tonight, should get a reply sometime tomorrow I trust.
 
My son lives in Beijing at the moment and he has had numerous extension to his visa, all done by a visa agent in Beijing. You should be able to get it done in China without any issues. However these are extensions and not new visas. Try and find a listed visa agent.... Hope that helps.


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