prephil Posted March 24, 2010 at 01:02 PM Report Posted March 24, 2010 at 01:02 PM Thinking of travelling from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. How long does it take? Would we need visas? I'm Irish and my wife is Chinese. Quote
jbradfor Posted March 24, 2010 at 02:14 PM Report Posted March 24, 2010 at 02:14 PM Train or plane. There are buses, but IMHO they are not worth the discomfort. But then again, I hate buses. Trains take about 2.5 hours (I think), and take you directly into Hong Kong. Planes are faster, but you arrive at the Hong Kong airport, which is easily 45 minutes away from where you probably want to be. So they end up taking similar time. As for visas, 30 seconds on google finds this for Ireland and this for China. Quote
wushijiao Posted March 25, 2010 at 01:55 AM Report Posted March 25, 2010 at 01:55 AM Here's the train station info: http://www.it3.mtr.com.hk/B2C/UserPage/sysTimeTable_Eng.asp I went there last week via train, which is pretty efficient. Quote
BrandeX Posted March 27, 2010 at 04:01 AM Report Posted March 27, 2010 at 04:01 AM I have a bus line starting outside my community, it takes about an hour to get you from here to HK. You don't need a visa, Chinese nationals need something "like" a visa. Quote
prephil Posted March 27, 2010 at 07:18 PM Author Report Posted March 27, 2010 at 07:18 PM How would my wife go about getting this something "like a visa"? I have seen so many dodgy bus drivers going to Hong Kong that it's hard to trust them. No being rude but what makes your service different? Quote
prephil Posted March 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM Author Report Posted March 27, 2010 at 07:42 PM As for visas, 30 seconds on google finds this for Ireland and this for China. I've looked up this website but I'm still a bit confused. First line of Part II says "Unless Part I applies to you, you require a visa or entry permit ". Then at the bottom under the list of countries that need visas it says Irish citizens don't need any. so do I need an entry visa or not? Then it says under point number 10: There are separate information leaflets regarding the arrangements for entry in respect of residents of the Mainland of China (ID 894A) and for overseas Chinese and Chinese residents of Taiwan (ID 895A). My wife is overseas I suppose so guess she needs the ID 895A. Would it be in the Chinese Embassy here in Ireland she'g get that? Regards, Phil. Quote
jbradfor Posted March 27, 2010 at 11:57 PM Report Posted March 27, 2010 at 11:57 PM @prepil: I've looked up this website but I'm still a bit confused. First line of Part II says "Unless Part I applies to you, you require a visa or entry permit ". The entire paragraph 4 is Unless Part I applies to you, you require a visa or entry permit to work, study, establish or join in any business or to take up residence in the HKSAR. Otherwise, you are taking the risk of being refused admission on arrival. [emphasis mine.]Since I assume you are going to tour, while I am not an immigration lawyer, it seems pretty clear that this does not apply to you. My wife is overseas I suppose so guess she needs the ID 895A. Would it be in the Chinese Embassy here in Ireland she'g get that? No, you are going to Hong Kong, not China. Why would China help you? Their immigration policies are totally separate Read sections 17-21 of the second link I provided. Quote
BrandeX Posted March 28, 2010 at 04:24 AM Report Posted March 28, 2010 at 04:24 AM My wife is overseas I suppose so... What country's passport does she have? Quote
prephil Posted March 28, 2010 at 11:55 AM Author Report Posted March 28, 2010 at 11:55 AM (edited) Chinese passport. Will I need to get a re-entry visa when coming back into China? My passport is with the Chinese embassy here in Dublin. Originally we hadn't planned on going to Hong Kong and therefore hadn't put it down as a destination when filling in the visa application form so I'm not sure if I need to get multiple entry visa? Guess I'll just ask at the embassy tomorrow. Ok, I'm clear now on my own situation. I don't need a visa to get into Hong Kong but could possible need a re-entry visa when coming back into mainland China. My wife is an overseas Chinese person so I've looked up http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id1004.htm and it looks like it takes up to 4 weeks to process the visa application so it looks that we won't be going to Hong Kong then unless anyone knows a way around this long leadtime. Edited March 28, 2010 at 12:15 PM by prephil Quote
BrandeX Posted April 2, 2010 at 04:24 PM Report Posted April 2, 2010 at 04:24 PM That sounds about right. You'll need a valid visa to get back onto the mainland from HK, but can go there any time for a short stay. Mainlanders are not permitted to enter HK at all w/o a permit resembling a visa, which goes in another book, that looks just like a passport. (but they arent). I haven't tried recently, but have heard word that perhaps people here in Guangdong (or maybe just Cantonese ethnic group? nfc really) with local ID's can enter HK for short duration visits w/o the visa-y thing. Quote
Ed Log Posted April 3, 2010 at 02:47 AM Report Posted April 3, 2010 at 02:47 AM There is a train every 15-20 mins that travels from GZ East to SZ. Walk across the border and get the MTR (was KCR) to HK. Cheapest fastest way. Quote
prephil Posted April 3, 2010 at 01:06 PM Author Report Posted April 3, 2010 at 01:06 PM thanks Ed Log. Quote
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