Multiple entry tourist visa for visiting girlfriend

[swell]

Hi,

I have been to China several times to travel over the course of the last few years, but on my last trip I started seeing a girl, so before making major decisions about quiting my job and moving to china etc, I plan to return very often in the near future to visit her and spend more time with her.

So I think for the time being it would be best if I would be able to obtain a multiple entry tourist visa that is valid for a year. By looking through the previous posts on this forum, I get the impression that obtaining such a visa isn't that easy and that such visas are sometimes granted or refused rather randomly. If anyone has some advice to improve my chances to get such a visa they would be very much appreciated.

I'm also not sure if I should be stating that I'm visiting China for tourism, or to visit a friend. I will be staying in a hotel anyway, because she currently shares a room with a colleague. I don't know if stating that I'm visiting a friend will require a lot of extra hassle (administration etc), and I especially want to save her the potential extra trouble. Of course, if it would increase my chances of getting a multiple entry visa for an extended period, she wouldn't mind that I mention her name. But in that case, I can imagine that the fact that her hukou doesn't match her residence might also not be ideal? I think they don't match because her company's main office is in Wuhan, and she works in a branch office in another town.

Thanks in advance.

Stef.

[Lost in Mong Kok]

To be granted a multiple entry visa as a tourist who lives outside of China and its special administrative regions probably isn't going to happen.

The consulate in Hong Kong would allow you to apply for one as long as you have a previously single or double entry visa in your passport, but you need an HKID. Outside of this region, and I guess Macau (not sure about Taiwan-Mainland visa policies) its just not going to happen.

Saying you're going for tourism or to visit a friend probably won't make much difference. This seems to be information the immigration department needs to keep track of where you will be staying and a point of contact for you in China. The new visa forms require detailed information such as addresses and points of contact in the mainland. Based on her status I'd just tick the "sight seeing" box.

What is your nationality? There are other ways to enter China such as on an APEC card.

[swell]

Thanks for your reply.

I have found posts on this topic from people who have obtained such visas, so I think it shouldn't be impossible to get one, but it doesn't seem to be easy. I have read that it might help that I have been in China several times before, but up until know all I needed was single entry visas.

Also, I could say I'm coming to travel, but since my hotel reservation will be in a small unknown town in Hubei province, that might not sound very credible either, which might be a reason to reject my application. And I imagine that making false statements will certainly work against me.

BTW my nationality is Belgian.

[fanglu]

I could say I'm coming to travel

You are coming to travel. The only two purposes they issue L visas for are tourism or visiting relatives. As your girlfriend is not a relative, you are coming for tourism. If you tick the 'visit relatives' box on the form there is a good chance they will ask you to cross it out and tick tourism.

Multi-entry visas are granted for tourism, but it depends on the consulate you apply at, the rules at the time (they change pretty often), and the mood of the person serving you. You should just apply for the visa you want (multi-entry) and see what they say. If they say no, get married next time you're in China. It will probably increase your chance of getting a multi-entry visa the next time.

[Lost in Mong Kok]

Didn't realise this, but the US Chinese consulate says:

6.About Multiple Visa:

▲US citizens may apply for a Single Entry (valid for 3-6 months), Double Entry (valid for 6 months), Multiple Entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "L" Visa as needed.

Contacting the consulate in Belgium may help, however its likely they will tell you that you have to apply for the visa in which ever country you currently reside (if you're not in your home country).

http://www.visaforchina.org/BRU_EN/

[cming]

I've been given the Multiple entry (12 months) "L" visa previously, both as a tourist, and as a business consultant. I have no idea if it helped, but I did put a chinese associates contact details on the form.

It was all done within 48 hours, and the didn't contact my associate to verify his address or anything else for that matter.

I applied in Sydney, and I suspect being granted a multiple entry visa could very well depend on where you apply.

[wedge]

Speaking from my experience applying from the US and HK, I think the person at the consulate reviewing the application has alot of discretion. They aren't supposed to issue unnecessary visas but I think that they could grant a multiple entry if you have them sufficient justification. For example, if your girlfriend submitted her itinerary showing that she needs a multiple entry because she's planning to take side trips to HK and Seoul then it should be fine.

[swell]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I think I'll just try if it'll get accepted.