many thanks to YA, TT and SEAJ for yr input! it's helping me as i know the rules/regs differ not only with which passportu hold, but with trav agent vs in-person, and the various degrees of HK residency. this isn't a "one-size-fits-all" situation, and it's good to know that upfront. just to give u an idea, my trav agent recommended that if i wanted a multi-entry visa, i should apply on my own as a namecard would not be requested (although things change, and now it might be). when HKers turn down money-making opportunities, heed them!
the APEC Card is very useful but alas, unless u have a passport from one of the 15 eligible countries, not an option. also,at TT pointed out, applying in your home country is an option u can exercise. but if you're traveling because of a job u intend to hold in HK, they should be helping u.
sounds like u have cred with yr employer, Chiron, and this is good. but be aware that if yr the FIRST foreigner they've employed, they may not fully understand what's involved. many HKers have a "home-return" card that they just slap on the desk and are waved thru: essential when the border-checkpoints get crammed during holidays. they may not fully grasp the idea that you're entering a foreign country and must have a valid visa...simply because to them, taking the train to theborder and heading across for a shopping trip/round of golf/punt is kind of like taking the subway to a suburb.
thanks also for the recent info, u see the diff in resident-cards etc. and major thanks to TT as i didn't know about the 90 days rule. theoretically this might mean u have to live in HK 90 days before applying for a China visa HERE in HK? not sure. i had been in HK well over that timeframe before ever applying for a China visa.
again, changes all the time. i'll reprint the emails from my friend with things redacted as he JUST got his new visa and says half-year is the MAX now, for US passports--this is new. u cd always get a one-year if u met the requirements...
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this is some new thing i just learned about today as well. has to do with visa prices for chinese to go to america going up. (CHIRON, CLEARLY THIS WON'T AFFECT U...JUST THE UNLUCKY SOULS LIKE ME WHO HAVE USA DOCUMENTS)
my last dual-entry tourist was 320. and my girls was 320. but now, all visas at my place are at least 1250 (they charge a bit more than (
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/blsjfy/)
these things change almost every 3 months, though.
its a lot less hassle if you go thru a travel agent rather than going direct to the CTS. i noticed that their website claims that the posted visa fee schedule has been in effect since 2004, but i have receipts for cheaper visas which prove otherwise... used to be that it was cheaper to go to CTS, much much cheaper. but they are now charging almost as much as the travel agents and are much more bureaucratic.
here are the people i use: its a bit off our beaten path, but its preferred for its no-questions policy...
http://www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk/
there are of course many other similar visa services all around TST and HK...
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there are many agents, check TT's excellent advice above. in general it's good to go with an agent, but u should query your employers. also ask them if there's any chance your job could be considered "sensitive"...again, these categories change also.
it's confusing, but luckily u have a solid job offer, and the company should be able to help you sort it out. it's good to raise these questions with them as they may not have had to deal with these matters before. generally tho HKers are switched-on and should sort it out for you: if they expect you to go to China on biz they need to ensure you're able todo so! and they should pay for the visa, any express fees or agent-charges also...
once u present yr employment contract at HK Immig they shd respond fairly soon with the OK to get yr HK resident card. but if u have time, see if u can accomplish some/all of the paperwork before arriving in town. theoretically you're supposed to show up at the airport with yr work-permit although in practice most ppl come in on tourist visas and apply for work-visas later. just mention these concerns to yr employer, indicate yr happy to help with whatever's needed, but ultimately: they want to hire u, they need to ensure yr paperwork's in order. it's not that difficult or confusing, it just changes as far as China visas go. this 6-month-max multi-entry visa is just govts bitchslapping each other: as usual, it's ppl like me and my friend who draw the short straw...
JtB