Hong Kong Visitor's Visa Question

[ukulele]

I'll be travelling to Hong Kong in January for vacation and applied for a visitor's visa with my RTD. I was told by the Chinese Consulate that they can only grant me a 14-day visa, even though I'm staying there for 15 days. They asked that I request a one-day extension at the point of entry when I arrive in Hong Kong. Has anyone experienced this? Is it difficult to get an extension when your visa has a 14-day limit?

Also, I was told that if I wanted to travel to China when I'm in Hong Kong, I can apply for the Chinese visa when I'm in HK. Is that right?

Thanks to anyone who can offer some feedback.

 

[talie777]

Ukulele,

you are lucky that they are granting you a 14-day visa. The last time I went, which was in 2002, they only granted me a 7-day, and they start counting it from the day I arrive. The visa they granted me was actually a transit visa, and I found out about it only when I went to the consular in Hong Kong trying to get a 1-day extension. It was kind of tedious, I had to write a letter stating that I wasn't aware that the visa was for transit only, that I had no intention to permanently stay in Hong Kong, that I have lived in the US for however amount of time, and that I am employed with a company in US (have to provide position and company information). I also had to show my return ticket, RTD, national passport (expired) and drivers license or other form of ID issued in the US. All of the above was reviewed by a pretty high ranking officer, was interviewed, and after maybe about 2 hours, got approved, and yes for only 1-day extension.

I'm not sure about applying for the visa to China in Hong Kong because I applied mine the same time as the Hong Kong visa at the Chinese Consular in San Fran.

I hope this helps.