You could be applying for a visa either in your own country, within China or in a third country. If you have any doubts about your situation you should enquire at a Chinese Consulate that issues visas or at a Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration office in China. China does not accept any postal or couriered applications from individuals.
China Visa Application in a Third Country & Regions
Travelers often need to obtain visas while en route, in another country, for example, you are austrians, you can also apply for a Chinese visa at China Embassy in Berlin, Germany. While it is possible to obtain visas in this situation it has become more difficult recently. Some Chinese visa offices are refusing to issue visas to persons who are not resident in the country concerned. In some cases having a visa for that country is considered OK, but this might be of no help if you are in a country where you do not require a visa.
China Visa Application in a Third Country & Regions
Travelers often need to obtain visas while en route, in another country, for example, you are austrians, you can also apply for a Chinese visa at China Embassy in Berlin, Germany. While it is possible to obtain visas in this situation it has become more difficult recently. Some Chinese visa offices are refusing to issue visas to persons who are not resident in the country concerned. In some cases having a visa for that country is considered OK, but this might be of no help if you are in a country where you do not require a visa.
There is no simple answer to this issue, nor is it clear exactly why this rule exists. The first option is to try at every Chinese Consulate that you pass in the hope that one will grant a visa. Another possibility is that if you can manage without your passport for a couple of weeks, you express mail or courier your passport and application to a friend or agent in your own country and have it sent back to you when the visa has been issued.
Hong Kong and Macau are considered as foreign territory in respect to visas so they are 'third countries' in this context. Hong Kong has traditionally been liberal in its application of visa regulations but this has changed since the Olympics. Now nationals of 33 countries are banned from applying for a China visa in Hong Kong or Macau unless they are working or living in Hong Kong or Macau: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Saudi Arab, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Other nationals who can most easily obtain visas in their home country should still be able to obtain them in Hong Kong, but maybe for lesser durations than was the case in the past.
Now it is not worth applying a China tourist visa in Hong Kong because it takes 3 – 4 days and costs HK$ 150 – 1,100. If you want to get the visa within 2 days or 3 days, you have to apply for rush service or express service by paying extra HK$ 250 or HK$ 150 besides the regular visa fee. The previous method of reaching to Hong Kong and immediately getting a China visa no longer exist. You have to burden the expense hotel bills in Hong Kong till your visa is issued. The visa office in Macau is less crowded and the hotel is cheaper, but it also takes a long time. Generally speaking, you can only get single or double entry visa if you are visitors in Hong Kong without HK ID Card; if you have previous entries into Mainland China or you are Hong Kong student/work visa holders, you possibly get a multiple-entry visa to Mainland China.
Now it is not worth applying a China tourist visa in Hong Kong because it takes 3 – 4 days and costs HK$ 150 – 1,100. If you want to get the visa within 2 days or 3 days, you have to apply for rush service or express service by paying extra HK$ 250 or HK$ 150 besides the regular visa fee. The previous method of reaching to Hong Kong and immediately getting a China visa no longer exist. You have to burden the expense hotel bills in Hong Kong till your visa is issued. The visa office in Macau is less crowded and the hotel is cheaper, but it also takes a long time. Generally speaking, you can only get single or double entry visa if you are visitors in Hong Kong without HK ID Card; if you have previous entries into Mainland China or you are Hong Kong student/work visa holders, you possibly get a multiple-entry visa to Mainland China.
Hereunder is the contact information of Commissioner's Officer of Foreign Affairs Ministry of PRC in Hong Kong and Macau:
Visa Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong SAR,
Address: 7th Floor, Lower Block, China Resources Building,
No.26, Harbor Road, Wanchai
Open 09:00 to noon, and 14:00 to 17:00, Mon to Fri (except Hong Kong public holidays)
Do not take large baggage as you are not allowed to take it inside.
Address: 7th Floor, Lower Block, China Resources Building,
No.26, Harbor Road, Wanchai
Open 09:00 to noon, and 14:00 to 17:00, Mon to Fri (except Hong Kong public holidays)
Do not take large baggage as you are not allowed to take it inside.
Enquiry Service
Tel- Enquiry
24 hour Automatic Answering Telephone: 852-34132300
Live Answering Telephone: 852-34132424 (available at 10:00-11:00, 15:00-16:00 on workdays)
Fax: 852-34132312
Email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/
Tel- Enquiry
24 hour Automatic Answering Telephone: 852-34132300
Live Answering Telephone: 852-34132424 (available at 10:00-11:00, 15:00-16:00 on workdays)
Fax: 852-34132312
Email: fmcovisa_hk@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/
The Macau visa office is quite small and some travelers suggest is less generous than the Hong Kong office in the visas it issues.
Address: No.992 Luo Li Ji Bo Shi Da Ma Lu (In Portuguese, the address is No. 992, Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Macao SAR, PRC)
Tel: (00853)87915126
Fax: (00853)87915102
Website: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.mo/eng/
Offices hours:
1. MON-FRI 9:00-12:00 a.m. 2:30-5:00 p.m.
2. 2:30-5:00 p.m., FRIDAY is open only for Pick-up.
3. Office is closed on Sat, Sun & Macau Public Holidays.
Address: No.992 Luo Li Ji Bo Shi Da Ma Lu (In Portuguese, the address is No. 992, Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Macao SAR, PRC)
Tel: (00853)87915126
Fax: (00853)87915102
Website: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.mo/eng/
Offices hours:
1. MON-FRI 9:00-12:00 a.m. 2:30-5:00 p.m.
2. 2:30-5:00 p.m., FRIDAY is open only for Pick-up.
3. Office is closed on Sat, Sun & Macau Public Holidays.