Visas for multi entry to china in a three week period .

Question

Hello Im new to this so please can someone help.

Need some advice on China visas because im getting mixed advice.( Also none is picking up in office)

I am coming from UK to shanghai (2 Days) then off to vietnam for 12 , from hanoi off to hong kong ( 3 Days) then back to shanghai (2DAYS) - UK .

Questions does the 10 day visa stop when you leave the country or am i multi entry because the 10 days runs out .

Also is there a different visa for Hong kong .

Any help is welcome . Thanks

Answer

For your itinerary, you will need to carefully plan the type of China visa to ensure your entries are valid. Here are some key points:

1. Single-entry vs. multiple-entry visa: A standard 10-day China tourist visa (L visa) is usually single-entry. This means that once you leave China, your visa is considered used, and you cannot re-enter without a new visa. For your trip, since you plan to return to Shanghai after visiting Vietnam and Hong Kong, a single-entry visa would not work.

2. Multi-entry visa: You need to apply for a multi-entry (double-entry or multiple-entry) China visa. This type allows you to leave and re-enter China within the visa validity period. The duration of stay per entry (e.g., 10 days) is counted each time you enter China, but the overall validity period (e.g., 3 months) sets the window during which you can make multiple entries.

3. Hong Kong and Macau: UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong for short stays (up to 90 days). This is separate from your China visa. While Hong Kong is part of China, it has a separate immigration system, so you will exit and re-enter China proper when returning to Shanghai.

4. Practical application:

Apply for a multiple-entry China visa (double-entry is sufficient for your plan).
Each entry allows the stay period (e.g., 10 days) from the date of entry.
Ensure your visa validity period covers the entire period from your first entry to your last exit.

5. Summary for your itinerary:

Entry 1: Shanghai for 2 days → exit to Vietnam.
Entry 2: Shanghai after visiting Vietnam and Hong Kong for 2 days before returning to UK.
Hong Kong visit: No visa needed for UK passport holders.

Make sure to indicate your travel plan clearly when applying for the multi-entry visa and allow enough processing time. The 10-day stay resets each time you enter China, but only if you have a multi-entry visa. Single-entry visas would not permit re-entry after leaving China.

Visas for multi entry to china in a three week period .

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