Bah you should see the shit we have to go through to get a China visa (UK passport gotten in Mongolia and also in Korea) , you need a return flight in and out of the country AND you need a hotel reservation.

AND if you look like a poor bum (like me but hey YOU keep yourself neat when off roading across Russia) they ask you to prove you can support yourself for the duration.

Often it is because of what other countries charge china nationals for visas. That is why UK and US are more expensive.

Restrictions were placed on UK passport holders after the UK govt made it compulsory for china nationals to have a UK visa, even if only travelling to UK in transit.

What nationality is your passport?

This is not completely true.   I am an American living in HK.  In May, I got a 1-year, multiple entry visa through the visa office at the China Resources building.  I was dating a woman in Shenzhen at the time, so I used her as my contact info.  I also had had a previous 6-month multi-entry visa.  But I had no company connection and no authorization.  

I have the feeling that there is no uniform policy.  I think they make the rules up as they go along...

Have fun, CGP

by rules, bro CGP, i think you mean knowing the right peeps and being willing to spend some $$$

For the American living in HK, and all other foreigners living in HK that requires a China Visa to enter the country.  Have you guys heard of a new Visa requirement that just got implemented.  In the past, I always get 1 year multiple-entry Visas to go to China.  When you are near the expiration, you can simply go to HK to renew the 1 year Visa.  This is no longer that case.  Now that HK is part of China, you can no longer get a 1 year multi-entry Visa in HK.  You have to go to another country that is not part of HK to get a 1 year multi-entry.  In HK, you can only get a 30 day multi-entry Visa and you can only get it twice a year.  That means 60 days maximum.  I realize this just recently trying to renew the Visa in HK.  This is extremely troublesome now.  You are force to fly back to your country to get the 1 year multi-entry Visa instead of just crossing the boarder and renewing it in HK.  I think this is extremely iritating.

Well, as I stated above, I am an American living in HK (and an HK resident, but not a permanent resident).  I just got a 1-year multiple entry visa in HK in late May.  So unless the new policy was implemented in the last two months, I am not sure that this is correct.

Have fun, CGP

I am a Canadian with a number of chinese visas, my current one is a one year multiple obtained here in Canada.  There is no issue, no company to support it, just me asking for a multiple visa.

The real trick is this:  You cannot typically get a multiple entry visa first time out, at least from over here.  It's a bit of the trust system, you get a single entry and do that, a double entry and do that, and so on.   You build up the trust factor.  They want to make sure you went in on time, left on time, went where you were expected to go, etc.   They do check.

If you need a multiple entry visa for work, there are ways to do that first time out, but even then, they might prefer that your get a single or double and go through that first before getting a multiple.

Good luck!

That is odd.  Tried getting a 1 year multi-entry visa just on July 29th.  You got it in May.  They changed the rules these two months.  That is truly suck!  Can anyone else confirm this?

Bro the rules change as fast as the weather-forecast.  And they change back too.  Just keep trying, this is China.

I entered Shenzhen at the border after getting offf the train, and applied and received a single entry valid for 3 days at the border. My question is however, once in Shenzhen, then where to after that?

When you get to Shenzhen, you can't get a visa there.  You can only get it in a country outside of China.  That's why it's an China Visa for ENTRY.  If you only need it for 30 days, go to HK and renew it.  

As for my previous question about renewing the 1 year multi-entry in HK.  Apparently, you can't do it anymore.  That is really irritating moving forward.  I appreciate the help.

they changed the rules (at least for Americans) as far as multiple entry visas, a couple of years ago.  Now, you get the choice of one entry, two entries, or multiple entries (sounds like something you would negotiate with a WG ).  It used to be that you had to provide a business reason with company letterhead in order to get the M (multiple) visa, but not anymore.  Two entries and multiple are pretty much the same price, so always go for the multiple.

If you find yourself in HK without a China visa and you need to go, you would need to go to the Chinese consulate building in Wanchai over by the Renaissance Hotel.  For an American, which probably applies to other countries as well, you could get the visa back the same day if you show an emergency need.  An emergency need would be something like visiting a relative who was about to die.  Otherwise, you'd have to wait at least one day at the earliest for your visa.  I say this because it used to be pretty convenient and easy to just go to any CTS travel location, turn in your visa in the morning and get it in the late afternoon.  Not anymore.

don't know for sure, but i'm pretty sure it can still be done.  my dad's friend goes to shanghai regularly on biz w/ his multi-entry visa, and he's based in HK as well.  most likely they're just busting your balls.  i'm sure it's possible to get it if you know the right people to help you grease the gears of bureaucracy.