Multi-entry visa ban until after Games

This is bad news. My business Visa runs out in 5 days and normally I get this in Shekou port going to Hong Kong and then back again to get my multiple entry visa at the border.

Its not a big issue for me to get double entry Visas every 30 days however if its going to take more 4 days to get this Visa this means I will have to stay in Hong Kong away from my wife and kids and this is a problem.

Dont understand why china wants to make things difficult for business people. Crazy

I freaked out about this as well, but I sent my companies secretary in today and they said renewing a visa and residence permits are not affected by this change. You may have stated that above but I didn't see it. Anyway, you still may have a shot, Jim;)

This is for jimbaillie.

Hi Jim, you live on the mainland with a multi-entry visa which you need to renew? Can't you get a residence permit through your job? How do your wife and kids stay here? Are they Chinese? If you have been married to a Chinese national for 5 years, you can apply for a 10 year residence permit.

cheers for the comments. I am not in China long enough to warrant a working visa, 6 month business multi entry is good enough for me, I was caught out by the lack of notice from the China government but all sorted now but have to make do with 2 entry 30 day visa obtained in HK. UK government have told me that they can issue a years visa when i get back to the UK within 5days with the right paperwork, not logical why this cant be done in China but this is china after all ;-)

Visa clampdown a blow for business travellers

LEADER

Apr 08, 2008

With the Olympic Games a matter of months away, the mainland should be opening its arms wide to foreigners. This is, after all, its moment of glory, a time to show the nation off and celebrate with the world the progress that has been achieved in so short a time.

Yet the reverse would seem to be happening. The clamping down on the issuing of visas until after the Games are over sends out quite the opposite message. Rather than the mainland laying out the welcome mat, it is in effect shutting the door a little and looking out suspiciously at whoever is not carrying a Chinese passport.

Beijing is playing an ever-more important role internationally. But to do that it needs to clearly show that it accepts the world community on equal terms. The Olympics are the ideal opportunity to kick-start that process.

But instead, the issuing to foreigners of short-stop visas at mainland checkpoints has been abruptly stopped along with the multiple-entry visa system. In the case of the former, no reason has been given, nor an indication if the move is temporary or permanent. For the latter, technical hitches were cited, and until October, business people and visitors will have to make do with single- and double-entry permits. This may not seem troublesome for tourists, but for those with financial interests to keep a close eye on, it is a worrisome development.

For Hong Kong, which is the regional headquarters of many multinationals with extensive operations on the mainland, the sudden change of policy has hit the hardest. Many frequent travellers to the mainland who are not Chinese nationals will now face great difficulty going across the border if their multiple-entry visas have just expired or are about to expire.

Authorities want the Games to go as smoothly as possible. Spreading protests by anti-China activists are causing concern. But abruptly changing tack on visas is not the way to go, as it also generates doubts about the stability of central government policy.

The multiple entry method could easily have continued. If a known trouble-maker applied for a visa, the application could always be rejected and the reason honestly given. This is how other nations approach the staging of events that attract activists.


Beijing would do well to reverse its decision. Its lack of a valid reason for the moves has raised doubts and they can only be allayed through reverting to the previous policy. The mainland should be opening its doors wider, not shutting them.
[Community Manager: SZParty.com]
scott@shenzhenparty.com

UNKNOWN SOURCE

Multiple-entry visas suspended


China has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas and slowed the processing time for single- and double-entry visas for foreigners in Hong Kong. According to travel agencies in the region, applicants are only being issued single-entry visas, with double-entry visas only being issued if airline tickets or detailed itinerary can be provided explaining why two entries are required during the same trip. The duration of stay for both single- and double-entry visas is 30 days.


It is also now being recommended to apply in advance of planned travel to the mainland, as processing times are slowing as well. Currently, a visa can take up to four days to process according to travel agencies in Hong Kong. The suspension, which appears to be both related to the upcoming Olympics as well as the ongoing political unrest in the nation’s western regions, took effect on March 28 and will last until October 17.


Chinese authorities are also said to be stepping up enforcement of other rules and regulations applying to foreigners on the mainland. A recent letter circulating on the mainland warns foreigners with residence permits in China to make sure they register with their local police station within 24 hours of arriving in China, and every time they return to the mainland from abroad. While these rules have been in place for years, the letter suggests that the authorities will step up enforcement of the regulations ahead of the Summer Games.
[Community Manager: SZParty.com]
scott@shenzhenparty.com