Shenzhen Visa

[11sjw]

Hi,

A few questions regarding the Visa requirement for a day trip into Shenzhen ex HKG.

1. Will a standard Chinese Visa do the trick? I ask this knowing that a special Shenzhen Visa is available at the border crossing. I'm just trying to avoid the 1 hour it takes.
2. If the answer to 1 is "No" can you organise a Shenzhen Visa at the local Chinese Consulate (one about 7 min drive from my place in Perth)?
3. Or am I stuck with the 1 hour or so it takes?

Thanks,

 

[samh004]

It's a standard single entry or multiple entry visa.

If it's a busy day, then having it already in your passport is preferable, but if it's quiet, just leave an hour earlier.

 

[nlagalle]

It's a standard single entry or multiple entry visa.

If it's a busy day, then having it already in your passport is preferable, but if it's quiet, just leave an hour earlier.

It took me about 20 mins to get the visa done at the border. it wasn't busy as we left early in the morning. It was pretty straight forward.

 

[Mal]

It took me about 20 mins to get the visa done at the border. it wasn't busy as we left early in the morning. It was pretty straight forward.

My experiences (2 times, not in the last year though) have been similar. The hardest part was having to chat to a family next to me from some strange country (don't recall which), and in their broken english were telling me how much they love Sydney, and want to go one day.

 

[yohy?!]

yes a standard chinese visa is fine - the 5 Day SEZ one is only useful if you plan to only visit Shenzhen itself.

if you have time in HK to get one in advance I would do it - the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau crossings are notorious for very long waits at peak hours (particularly around festival periods like Chinese New Year).

can be gotten from China Travel Service & many other individual travel agents

 

[PrincessK]

I am going to Shenzhen in a couple of weeks. I applied for the standard Chinese, single entry visa yesterday (late, I know!) I completed the form online, made a visa appointment online and turned up at the Visa office. It was all done within 15 mins and I'll pick up my visa on Monday, $98 fee. There was a moment of stress when my application was referred to the consulate as I work for a media company, but they rang yesterday afternoon to advise me it had been approved.

The special Shenzhen visa is only available at the border, I understand, and while significantly cheaper (about $25 from memory??) there's the issue of having to wait if it is crowded there.

I've also used China Travel Service, as recommended by yohy?! when in HKG but just a word of advice depending on your timing, I used them last year over Chinese New Year and paid for the express application but it still took over a week due to all the public holidays. Under normal circumstances you can obtain the visa through CTS within 24 hours (for an express fee).

Hi,

A few questions regarding the Visa requirement for a day trip into Shenzhen ex HKG.

1. Will a standard Chinese Visa do the trick? I ask this knowing that a special Shenzhen Visa is available at the border crossing. I'm just trying to avoid the 1 hour it takes.
2. If the answer to 1 is "No" can you organise a Shenzhen Visa at the local Chinese Consulate (one about 7 min drive from my place in Perth)?
3. Or am I stuck with the 1 hour or so it takes?

Thanks,

 

[11sjw]

I am going to Shenzhen in a couple of weeks. I applied for the standard Chinese, single entry visa yesterday (late, I know!) I completed the form online, made a visa appointment online and turned up at the Visa office. It was all done within 15 mins and I'll pick up my visa on Monday, $98 fee. There was a moment of stress when my application was referred to the consulate as I work for a media company, but they rang yesterday afternoon to advise me it had been approved.

The special Shenzhen visa is only available at the border, I understand, and while significantly cheaper (about $25 from memory??) there's the issue of having to wait if it is crowded there.

I've also used China Travel Service, as recommended by yohy?! when in HKG but just a word of advice depending on your timing, I used them last year over Chinese New Year and paid for the express application but it still took over a week due to all the public holidays. Under normal circumstances you can obtain the visa through CTS within 24 hours (for an express fee).

Thanks for that. Anyone know whether or not it is safe to take children there? I've read a couple of Tripadvisor reports warning against doing so.

 

[mannej]

Thanks for that. Anyone know whether or not it is safe to take children there? I've read a couple of Tripadvisor reports warning against doing so.

It's like anywhere, you just need to be vigilant.

 

[yohy?!]

Thanks for that. Anyone know whether or not it is safe to take children there? I've read a couple of Tripadvisor reports warning against doing so.

I would say no to taking children, Shenzhen is nothing like HK - violent crime on the streets is common as is petty theft. My in-laws here who are Chinese will not visit SZ alone nor take their children when they do if they can avoid it.

Here's the latest from only a few days ago: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1121548/doctor-slain-shenzhen-returns-hong-kong

 

[11sjw]

I would say no to taking children, Shenzhen is nothing like HK - violent crime on the streets is common as is petty theft. My in-laws here who are Chinese will not visit SZ alone nor take their children when they do if they can avoid it.

Here's the latest from only a few days ago: Doctor slain in Shenzhen returns to Hong Kong | South China Morning Post

Your comment is the 5th in the 'No' column. That's enough of a trend for me.