I.
Will a Chinese visa be issued for the following circumstances?
1.
Q: My mother-in-law is ill in critical condition/ deceased in China, can I
apply for a visa to visit her / attend the funeral by the reason of emergency
humanitarian purpose?
A:
No. Applicants visiting the mainland of China for emergency humanitarian
purposes refer to visiting an immediate family member (could be a foreigner) in
the mainland within three generations (including spouse, parents, children,
grandparents, grandchildren) who is in critical medical condition, or arranging
funeral matters of the deceased immediate family member in the mainland. Other
family members such as mother-in-law and father-in-law etc. are excluded as
they are not the blood relatives to you.
2.
Q: My father is ill in the mainland of China and needs to be hospitalized for
surgery. Can I apply for a visa for an emergency humanitarian reason by
providing a diagnosis certificate?
A:
It depends on how serious of illness and emergency of the visited immediate
family member. If it is indeed urgent, a critical notice issued by the hospital
must be submitted. It may also be required to provide the diagnosis certificate,
hospitalization certificate or other materials as supplementary documents if
necessary. It does not meet the visa requirement for the emergency humanitarian
reasons if only the diagnosis certificate or the hospitalization certificate
provided.
3.
Q: I work in HKSAR, but my parents, spouse and children all live in the
mainland. They often travelled between the mainland and HKSAR before the
Pandemic. In order to minimize the risk of infection for the elderly and the
weak of my family during the Pandemic, I prefer to travel more frequently to
take care of them. Can I apply for a visa for that right now?
A:
The visa applications for such cases will not be accepted for the time being,
according to the announcement jointly released by the National Immigration Administration
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in March 2020 and the Notice on
Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19 Pandemic issued by
the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in HKSAR.
4.
Q: I have a property in the mainland, but I cannot go back to pay the bills
after 28 March 2020 due to the Pandemic. I need to be back to go through the
relevant procedures urgently. Can I apply for a visa in this case right now?
A:
The visa applications for such cases will not be accepted for the time being,
according to the announcement jointly released by the National Immigration
Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in March 2020 and
the Notice on Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19
Pandemic issued by the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of China in HKSAR.
5.
Q: Can I apply for a student visa right now?
A:
The visa applications for such cases will not be accepted for the time being,
according to the announcement jointly released by the National Immigration
Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in March 2020 and
the Notice on Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19
Pandemic issued by the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of China in HKSAR.
6.
Q: I am ill in serious condition, and used to go to Guangdong Province for
medical treatment regularly. Can I apply for a visa in this case as I need to
go back to continue my treatment?
A:
The visa applications for such cases will not be accepted for the time being,
according to the announcement jointly released by the National Immigration
Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in March 2020 and
the Notice on Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19
Pandemic issued by the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of China in HKSAR.
7.
Q: I am holding an invitation letter (PU) or invitation letter (TE)
[hereinafter referred to as "invitation letter (PU) or (TE)"] issued
by the foreign affairs office or the department of commerce of the provincial
(including autonomous regions and municipalities) government or the headquarter
of central state-owned enterprise. In addition to the basic materials, can I
apply for a visa only with this sort of invitation letter?
A:
In general, you can submit the visa application by providing the invitation
letter (PU) or (TE) issued by the above units together with other requested
basic materials such as the Visa Application Form and photo etc. In addition, a
letter from the inviting party to describe the purpose, the necessity and
urgency of the visit may also be required if necessary. A final decision on
whether the visa is approved or not would be made by the Commissioner’s Office
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in HKSAR.
8.
Q: I am holding an invitation letter (PU) or (TE), and want to apply for a type
of R visa. Can I use the letter to apply for visas for my wife and adult
children as well?
A:
It is required to submit the High-end Talent Confirmation Letter issued by the
relevant authorities in the mainland but not the invitation letter (PU) or (TE)
while applying for a type of R visa. By providing the proof of kinship, your
spouse and minor children (under the age of 18) can apply for the S2 visa at
the same time when you are applying for a R visa if their personal information
clearly indicated in the confirmation letter. However, if your children have
grown up, they will not be eligible for getting visas in such cases during the
Pandemic.
9.
Q: I am holding an invitation letter (PU) or (TE), and want to apply for a type
of Z or M visa to the mainland of China. Can I use the letter to apply for
visas for my spouse and children together?
A:
No. Due to the Pandemic, visa applications for accompanying persons have been
suspended.
10.
Q: I have an invitation letter (PU) or (TE) issued within 3 months. My plan is
to apply for a M visa in UK, but the local Chinese embassy is not open to the
public at the moment. Can I apply in Hong Kong with the invitation letter (PU)
or (TE)?
A:
You can apply for a visa in HKSAR only if you met the two requirements as
follows: firstly, according to the current HKSAR immigration regulations, the
entry to HK by non-HK residents from abroad will be denied. However, if you are
a HK permanent resident or a valid HK resident identity card holder, you could
contact the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HK to make an
appointment and submit the application after completing the compulsory
quarantine requested upon arrival in HK. Secondly, the invitation letter (PU)
or (TE) will be acceptable in HK only if it is addressed to the Commissioner’s
Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in HKSAR, rather than other
missions of China.
11.
Q: If I have a work residence permit that expired after 28 March 2020, can I
submit the work visa application without providing an invitation letter (PU) or
(TE)?
A:
No. Whether you ever held a work residence permit, you are requested to apply
for a new work visa by providing the following documents.
1.
An Invitation Letter (PU) or (TE) issued by the Foreign Affairs Offices or
Departments of Commerce of Chinese provincial government or Central State-owned
Enterprises;
2.
An invitation letter issued by the inviting party in the mainland of China to
explain the emergency and necessity of the visit in detail, and the photocopy
of the business license of the inviting party;
3.
One of the following approval documents:
(1)
Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit issued by the State Bureau of
Foreign Experts or;
(2)
Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of
Foreign Experts or;
(3)
Valid Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of foreign
countries’ (regions’) enterprises issued by the Chinese authorities of
industrial and commercial administration or;
(4)
Valid letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in
China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.
If
you are holding a Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China, a photocopy of
the Decision on Approval of Administrative License and the information page of
your Permit to prove its validity are required.
12.
Q: I provided a negative nucleic acid test report when I applied for a visa.
Can I enter the mainland with the same report?
A:
It is required to provide a negative nucleic acid test report issued within 72
hours by a medical institution designated by the HKSAR Government at the time
of submitting the visa application. Upon arrival in the mainland, a nucleic
acid test report within the time limit shall be provided as what required by
the government of destination. For example, if you are requested to present a
negative nucleic acid test report released within 24 hours upon your arrival in
the destination of entry, you need to re-conduct the nucleic acid test after
getting the visa and enter the mainland with the new report.
13.
Q: Besides holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents that
expired a couple of days ago, I have a valid foreign passport as well. Can I
visit the mainland of China by applying for a Chinese visa with my foreign
passport?
A:
Since you have already held a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau
Residents, the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HKSAR will not
accept the visa applications from such foreign passport holders according to
the Nationality Law of China. Please check with the relevant department for the
Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents.
14.
Q: I was ever issued a Chinese visa before, but why could not I apply for a
visa now by presenting my new HK ID card marked with the “three stars” due to
the changed conditions of my stay in HK or renewal of my HK ID card in accordance
with the policy of the HK Immigration Department?
A:
If you have been issued a Chinese visa recently in HKSAR after changing a new
HK ID card, the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center can still accept
the application. Otherwise, you are required to submit the Declaration of
Change of Nationality issued by the HKSAR Immigration Department when applying
for the visa in order to clear the current status of your nationality.
15.
Q: My 5-year-multiple-entry Chinese visa is still valid, but temporarily
suspended due to the Pandemic. Could it be used again after the Pandemic if I
apply for a new Chinese visa this time?
A:
Normally the previous valid visa will not be cancelled on the condition that
the purpose of your visit for this time remains unchanged. It can be used as
usual if it is still valid after the Pandemic. However in other cases, such as
a holder of valid Q2 visa applying for a M visa this time, the original Q2 visa
will be cancelled after the issuance of M visa.
II.
Questions on Visa Application Appointment and Procedures
16.
Q: My father passed away suddenly in the mainland. I urgently need to go back
for the funeral, but it is too late to make an appointment for visa. What
should I do?
A:
A “Green Passage” service will be always available to those applicants for such
cases. If applicants for emergency humanitarian reasons who failed making
online appointments in advance could contact the Chinese Visa Application and
Services Center in HKSAR for this special service (Tel: +852 2992 1999, Email:
hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org, from 9:00 to 16:00 every Monday to Friday
except the public holidays. A dedicated person will answer the phone and reply
the email). If confirmed, those applicants can submit applications directly to
the center. Please be aware that the services are partially available at the
Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HKSAR during the Pandemic.
Therefore, the service of “Green Passage” is ONLY available to those who meet
the requirement of emergency humanitarian condition. Please do not attempt to
use it if you are not in urgency above-mentioned.
17.
Q: Can I walk straightly to the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in
HKSAR for enquiry?
A:
It is recommended that you contact the Chinese Visa Application and Services
Center by phone or email (Tel: +852 2992 1999, E-mail:
hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org), instead of walking straightly to the center
in order to minimize the risk of cross-infection during the Pandemic. A member
of staff will be dedicated to answer the phone and reply the email from 9:00 to
16:00 every Monday to Friday except the public holidays. Those applicants who
failed making online appointments in advance will NOT be allowed to enter the
center.
18.
Q: I haven't made an appointment yet. Can I make an appointment at the Chinese
Visa Application and Services Center on site?
A:
All applicants are required to make an online appointment through the official
website of the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HKSAR in advance,
and submit the visa application with related documents on site at the appointed
time. The center releases appointment slots sufficiently for every working day
(now temporarily from 9:00 to 16:00 on every Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
except the public holidays). Since it is impossible to make an appointment on
the same day according to the system setting, you are required to appoint at
least one day earlier through the center’s website. Please stay away from the
illegal agencies who involve in price gouging by exaggerating the difficulty
for appointment. Those for emergency humanitarian reasons but failing in making
online appointments can contact the center by phone or email in advance.
19.
Q: How long do I have to wait to get a visa after I submit my application?
A:
In view of the current Pandemic, the collection date for all visa applications
is to be determined, and will be informed to the applicants afterwards. Please
leave enough time for the visa application to avoid any delay of your journey.
20.
Q: I am staying in Taiwan region as a visitor right now. Can I apply for a visa
by posting my passport and documents to the Chinese Visa Application and
Services Center in HKSAR?
A:
Neither would it be normally accepted for this circumstance, nor could the
center provide mailing services. However, you can entrust a third party
(agencies or relatives or friends in HK) to submit the visa application for you
if you have a resident visa or ID for Taiwan region.
21.
Q: Can the applicant apply for a visa if he/she is not in HK?
A:
In general, the visa applicant, except those who are residing in Taiwan region,
must be in Hong Kong while applying for a visa to the mainland of China at the
Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HKSAR. However, according to
the pandemic prevention measures announced by the HKSAR Government, non-HK
residents will be denied entry to HK. For the latest notice, please refer to
the website at https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/. We recommend that you check
with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in the place of your residence.
III.
Questions on Information Sources
22.
Q: I have seen a lot of information about applying for Chinese visas on many
different websites. How can I know what information is correct?
A:
For information about applying for a Chinese visa, please refer to the latest
notice released by the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of China or the Chinese Visa Application and Services Center in HKSAR. As a
kind reminder, please apply Chinese visa through the Center and its registered
agencies. Stay away from illegal agencies who involve in price gouging by
exaggerating the difficulty for visa applications. If you encounter the
above-mentioned illegal agencies, please call the police and also kindly inform
the Center.
If
you have any questions that not covered yet, you can refer to the Notice on
Requirements for Chinese Visa Application During Covid-19 Pandemic updated on
the official website of the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of China in HKSAR, or enquire the Chinese Visa Application and Services
Center by phone or email.
IV.
Questions on Diplomatic and Official Visa Applications
23.
Q: Are there any changes on the procedures and processing time for the
diplomatic and official visa applications during the Pandemic?
A:
A diplomatic or official visa could be applied directly at the Visa Section of
the Consular Department of the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of China in HKSAR located at 4/F, China Resources Building at 26
Harbour Road, Wan Chai from 9:00 to 12:00 in the morning on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays (public holidays excluded) without a prior appointment.
A Verbal Note from the related Consulate General or branch office of International
Organization in HK is required. Please email to fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn for any
enquiries, which will be replied in timely fashion. Affected by the Pandemic,
the date of visa collection is uncertain and will be notified by phone.
Meanwhile, the business hours to the public will be adjusted from time to time
according to the latest Pandemic situation. Please check regularly the updated
notice released on the official website of the Commissioner's Office of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in HKSAR.
V.
Other Questions
24.
Q: Have the measures on the nucleic acid test and serum-specific IgM antibody
test been in effect in HKSAR right now?
A:
According to the latest prevention and control measures of the Chinese
government, all passengers from abroad to the mainland of China by flight must
provide both negative certificates of the nucleic acid test and serum-specific
IgM antibody test and have to obtain the health code (for Chinese citizens) or
the health declaration code (for foreigners) from the local Chinese Embassy or
Consulate General before departure. Please refer to the website of the related
Chinese Embassy or Consulate General for more details. If it is necessary to
transit through a third place, new reports of the above-said two tests must be
produced again at the transit place and a new relative code must be obtained as
well. At present, the above-mentioned measures have not been implemented in
HKSAR as the flights transit service from foreign countries to the mainland of
China via HK has been suspended and non-HK residents are prohibited to enter
into HK.
If
you are a HK resident and came back to HK from abroad, you have to comply with
the Pandemic prevention measures such as compulsory quarantine and nucleic acid
test requested by HKSAR government. If you need to travel to the mainland
afterwards, you are required to follow the Pandemic prevention arrangements
between HKSAR and relevant provinces in the mainland. For details, please
contact the HKSAR competent authority or the health department of destination.
25.
Q: How to check the list of nucleic acid testing institutions recognized by the
HKSAR Government?
A:
For enquiries about local nucleic acid testing institutions recognized by the
Hong Kong SAR Government, please refer to the website
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/.
26.
Q: How to apply for / renew a Chinese passport or travel document or consular
authentication?
