I am travelling to Hong Kong in a few months.
I want to catch the train into Shenzhen and stay there for 3-4 nights.
I know i need a visa to enter, but can I get this in Hong Kong on the day I travel to Shenzhen?
Visa to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong?
GreatWhiteHunter on 04/08/2017 - 20:59
Comments
or at least, try to apply on arrival ;)
I went there 2 years ago and the process was to walk upstairs, fill in a form and pay, then wait for your number to be called. While they are fairly efficient, the wait time depends on how many applicants happen to be there at the time.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/shenzhen-visa-1535928
Can I Buy A Shenzhen Visa In Advance?
No, Shenzhen Visas cannot be purchased in advance from an embassy or the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong. They can only be bought at the Hong Kong/Shenzhen border.US passport holders are not eligible for the Shenzhen visa and nor are they likely to be in the near future. Other countries not eligible are passport holders of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Sudan, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Where At Lo Wu Do I Purchase a Shenzhen Visa?
Visa office hours 7:30am-11:30pmAs you walk beyond Chinese customs (after HK immigration) follow the signs for “Foreigners”. There is an escalator just before you would reach the Chinese immigration counters which is clearly signed for “Port Visa”. Take it upstairs and the visa office is right there.
Before you enter the room, exchange money if necessary (suggest you exchange in HK) and use the desk outside to fill out the form. You need to fill out a simple form, which is available at the counter. This requires much less information than a standard Chinese visa application form so should be quicker to complete.
At the entrance on the right, use the touch screen to get your ticket number. Once your number is called go up and hand over your ticket number, passport(s), and completed form. If all is well, they’ll take your photo, then go back and watch the LED sign for your number.
When called, go to the next booth to pay. Once that’s done, wait again looking at the LED sign for your number to collect your passport. (If you’re travelling with family or friends, you can lump all your passports together under one ticket number.)
After the visa is issued you will be called up to another counter to collect it. When I used this service the visa was issued in five minutes or so, with no queue for submission (unlike if you apply directly at the Chinese visa office in HK, for example). Traveling over the weekend, you should expect wait times to be longer
Australians —> cost is RMB 168 or around AUD $32
Alternatively visit your local China Embassy to get a single entry China Visa. Cost is AUD$109.50 incl GST for regular processing time (4 days).
http://www.visaforchina.org/CBR_EN/upload/Attach/mrbj/284820…
http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/ls/vfc/t1038750.htm
I only went into Shenzhen on a shopping daytrip but it was easy to get a visa at the border when we crossed from HK on the train.
It's just easier to get it while you're here, and it'll be a bit cheaper too.
Good luck!
Is it worth going to Shenzhen? I've heard HK is cheaper for pretty much everything anyway.
HK is a much more enjoyable destination and much easier to get around. Shenzhen has few attractions apart from shopping.
But if the shopping is more expensive, why go?
I don't know if shopping is more expensive in Shenzhen or not. I expect some things are cheaper and others are dearer. My point was that Shenzhen only really has shopping (and restaurants). HK is a much richer experience especially for a tourist. I really enjoy visiting HK. I have visited Shenzhen 4 or 5 times mainly for work assignments and see no reason to visit it again.
@SydneySwan: I've been told by HK locals that Shenzen is more expensive because of sales tax. That's why Chinese people buy stuff from HK.
Some stuff is cheaper. I got several pairs of prescription glasses a lot cheaper than HK or Australia. Anything that involves labour is much cheaper, school concerts in Hong Kong are always amazing because it's really cheap to get them to knock up 30 identical costumes. A lot of stuff is the same as you get in the markets in HK, just a little cheaper. And a lot more copies of everything.
I went once, I probably won't bother again, at least not for shopping. You get hassled a lot by the shopkeepers, and they also tell you to beware of pickpockets, so while you may save a bit of money it doesn't make for a relaxing day.
I want to visit a friend who works for Topfan in Shenzhen. Don't really care about the city or the shopping.
Is this visa a 1 day/same day thing, or can I stay a few nights?
Max stay would be 4 nights.
https://hktravelblog.com/china/getting-a-visa-on-arrival-in-…
Answering my own question, it looks like the Shenzhen visas are for up to 5 days - which is perfect for my needs :)
You can apply 'on arrival' at the shenzhen border.