How to get a multi-entry visa?

[stidle]

I have scoured the Internet for info on how an American citizen could go about getting a multi-entry visa for mainland China, but I either find nothing or something that contradicts what I've learned before. The Chinese Consulate in NYC is not returning my emails or phone calls. Please someone help!!

I am visiting my aunt in Guangzhou for the month of May, but I'm flying in to Hong Kong. Hong Kong -> Guangzhou will be one entry, correct? Then my girlfriend is flying into Hong Kong on the 7th and leaving on the 20th...I would like to meet her at the airport on the 7th and take her to the airport on the 20th -- but won't both of these trips also require that another "entry" on my visa, bringing the total to 3? What if I want to travel to Vietnam and back while I'm there -- a 4th entry?

But everywhere I turn seems to indicate that Americans cannot obtain a multiple-entry visa for China...well then how else am I supposed to do this?

Thank you for any help!

-matt

[Josh-J]

Well I just looked at the Chinese Embassy website for the US visa section and looked at the application form for a tourist visa. Looks like you just tick the appropriate box.

Also, from what I've gathered from these forums, you generally shouldn't expect a reply from the consulates

[roddy]

I've yet to hear a good thing said about a Chinese embassy or consulate anywhere - although I'm not sure foreign embassies in China do much better.

Anyway, ask for a multiple-entry visa, explain your reasons and hope you get it. If you don't, there are alternatives - you may be able to get one in Hong Kong (Hong Kong is a kind of twilight zone for Chinese visas, stuff that isnt usually possible becomes easily done), or get re-entry visas from the local PSB.

[HashiriKata]

I hope you've misunderstood the instruction or something. I'm from the UK and I've just applied successfully for a visa to China. In the application form you're simply asked to tick "single/ double/ multiple entry" as required, without any restriction mentioned anywhere.

What about just download the application form and have a look?

[bobqUS]

Hi,

I'm a US student studying in Hong Kong, and basically everyone I know here tried to get multiple-entry visas for mainland China, since it's so close. I think one (out of maybe 20) US citizens I've talked to was succesful, and he's never really given a full account of how it happened. I know when I applied, I was told that I needed at least two previous journeys to China in my passport, and that I would need to have an HK visa for six months (?). I think most students of other nationalities didn't have any problems, though.

So to sum up, while the application looks like you just check the appropriate box, there are conditions, and I'm not sure they're very consistent. My recommendation would be explain your situation and try for the multiple-entry. If it doesn't come through, you can definitely work around it; I don't know about re-entry visas, but you can arrange same-day visas into China once you're in HK if all else fails, it'll just be a little pricier.

[amo]

Hi.

I am not from US, but I live in Cheng DU and I have many friends from US here. They all have multiple entry on their VISA. SOme of them live here, some of them study for one semester and some study for one year. So their VISA's vary from 4 months to 4 years and they ALL have multiple entry (and so do I). It is JUST to tick the correct box on the application form.

And if you want to contact US consulate or something IN China you need to go online to purchase time and/or go to CITIC BANK and do it there. You will then receive a pin-code giving you 6-12 minutes of talktime for your questions.

[zixingche]

I think to get a multi visa it helps if you can provide a reason why you need to travel into and out of China regularly.

Eg, a letter from a Chinese company (with some sort of official stamp), or a letter from your university in China.

[galaygobi]

not too sure about these rules against US citizens you've been talking about, but generally it's easy to obtain a multiple F-visa from HK. what u need first is another china visa on your passport before they'll issue the F multiple. so what u do is get a single entry L visa the first time u go up to China from HK, then when u go back u get the F multiple.

btw, this isn't from the consulate/embassy or anything. in HK any travel agency or hotel will be able to issue these visas for a fair price. i'm pretty sure they just send someone over the border with these things as most of the ones i've seen under 'place of issue' state 'guangdong zhuhai.'

[889]

If you're American, disregard the glib assurances of No. 8 about the ease of getting a multiple-entry visa in Hong Kong. It just ain't that easy once you tell those helpful travel agents that you hold an American passport. Call them and see!

No. 5 is closer to the mark about the uncertainty of it all.