CloudSailor

Does anyone know if there's a visa required for HKG? When invited for Cathay's second inteview with my wife, we were sent tickets and nothing was said about a visa. (I subsequently got on with another carrier and never used the tickets for the interview, so still don't know what the procedures are).

Now, for crossing the border into mainland China I would imagine we definitely need one, is that right?

Where would one get it in Denver? Does anyone know the cost?

I'm thinking of heading over there with my wife soon for a couple of weeks to check things out before comitting to the possible 2-5? year FDA. Probably spend several days in HKG and then a few in CAN, and then maybe that island that Whale talked about too.

Thanks for your help.

As Whale also posted, if anyone has any questions, specific or general, about HKG/CAN that you would like me to investigate, I would be happy to. Post anything on here, or PM me, and I'll get a list of questions to be answered for some us who might be headed over there.

gypsy

You get a visa on arrival in Hong Kong--fast, easy, free.

Yes, you need a visa for China. Not sure about getting one in Denver, but there is a Chinese Consulate in Hong Kong.

Consulate Department Office of
the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region
5/F Lower Block, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 12:20 pm
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 12:20 pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Enquiries: Tel : (852) 2585 1794
Tel : (852) 2827 1881 ( Recording message)
Fax : (852) 2585 1717

Cost depends on turn around time, you can get it in the same day. Normal time is 4-5 working days. I've heard it's much less hassle to let a travel agency in town take care of it for you, of course you pay a fee for that. Here's a link to one

http://www.hotelinhongkong.net/hongk...-p1-eng.htm#1b

Good luck!

Whale Pilot

Cloud,

If you are in the U.S. you can go to any Chinese Consulate and get a tourist visa for mainland china. NO VISA IS REQUIRED FOR HONG KONG OR MACAU ( Unless you plan on staying more than 90 days. You could go from Macau to Hong Kong or vice versa to reset the 90 day clock)!!! YOU CAN TAKE A FERRY FROM HKG AIRPORT DIRECTLY TO MACAU IF YOU WANT. If you will be staying in Hong Kong, take the subway as it is 1/3 the price of a taxi.

Chicago I have found is the easiest to get the tourist visa especially if you need a Chinese Crew Visa. I lost my passport about a year ago and had to replace both my Tourist Visa and Crew Visa for China. Houston wouldn't give me both. They said that you can only have one; this is even after I showed them the copy of both current visas in my lost passport. They said Chicago was wrong. So I just got the crew one so I could go to work. When I returned to the U.S. after my World Tour, I went to Chicago and told them what Houston told me and they showed me the documents that the Chinese Govt. and the U.S. Govt. agreed to that allowed both. So Chicago Consulate put the tourist visa in again.

Here is the link to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago.
http://www.chinaconsulatechicago.org...hz/default.htm

If you are getting a tourist (L) visa, request the 1 year multiple entry for stays up to 60 days ( this is the maximum ). If you are applying for a crew (C) visa, you will need a letter from the employer in China that "sponsors" the crew visa.

Here are the rules for the tourist visa (L) http://www.chinaconsulatechicago.org...hz/default.htm

Here is the link to download the fillable PDF form that you can print and take to the consulate: http://www.chinaconsulatechicago.org...qz/t174763.htm

If you decide to get a visa in Hong Kong, it is more expensive and they will only give you a three (3) day tourist visa. I suggest that you get it in the U.S.

Chicago works the best for me. I arrive at 9 a.m. sharp and get it the same day in the afternoon. If you go later in the day, you will have to come back the following day. Note: This only applies if you are doing a "rush" order. I suggest the "rush" order.

The rules link above will explain the prices. You can do a Google search to find other Chinese Consulates here in the U. S. Stay away from Houston!

Sorry but no Consulate in Denver, however, here is the link to the Chinese Consulates in the U.S. Since you live in Denver, perhaps route your flight through San Francisco or L.A with a stop so you can get the visa and then continue on to Hong Kong. Here is the list of consulates: http://www.visarite.com/chnConsulate.htm Note: Visarite is a visa service and not part of the Chinese Consulate. If you don't want to stop in LA or San Fran or one of the other consulates, I suggest using the service.


Whale


P.S. I am leaving the U.S in mid December for china to see my fiancee in Zhuhai. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

CloudSailor

Thanks Gypsy and Whale, appreciate the heads-up and the detailed answers.

Whale, I'll see what specific questions I can come up with, but any info you garner on your trip will be valuable to all of us poolies and FDA-bound guys/gals.

I think you've posted it already, but what would you say is the realistic, average ground-travel time from HKG to CAN?

Would you consider living in Guangzhou?

I would like to visit Zhuhai with my wife, but is it within the 100 NM for the FDA allowance? How do you get to Zhuhai (I couldn't clearly find it on Google Earth)?

I feel like I'm always asking on this forum, and rarely answering, so thanks. I hope to be able to provide others with info too.

Whale Pilot

Cloud,

HKG to CAN can vary drastically depending on traffic and the amount of agents available at the border crossing. I would say a minimum of 4 hours from HKG airport to CAN airport.

Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Macau all surround a huge river delta (Bay). Hong Kong and Shenzhen would be on the North Side with Guangzhou being at the East (mouth of the river delta) and Zhuhai and Macau being on the South side. Zhongshan is another town between Guangzhou and Zhuhai on the South side of the river delta. If you were to cross the delta by ferry from either Hong Kong or Shenzhen to Zhuhai or Macau, it would take about an hour. This distance is about 14 KM. There are two ferry services that serve the river delta CKS & Turbojet. Turbojet has nicer boats I think. Economy service is fine. The other classes get you a cookie and soda. If you are going over to China, you can get Hong Kong Dollars from an ATM at the Airport in Hong Kong or at the Ferry Terminals. Once you go over to the "Dark Side" You can get RNB from any ATM. I use ATM's vs. currency exchanges because I get the most current rate exchange. To get to either ferry terminal from the HKG airport, you can take a taxi (way too expensive) or take the MTR Train. There are two ferry terminals in Hong Kong other than the airport; Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. If you take the train to Hong Kong Island, you might be able to catch a later ferry to Zhuhai if you plan on staying in Zhuhai as me. I recommend either the Holiday Inn in Zhuhai or there is a new Chinese hotel in Zhuhai. I will try to find out from my Fiancée the name and website and post here later. The borders for crossing to the "dark side" normally close at 2400 for going to Zhuhai. I believe you can cross anytime by auto or MTR Train from Hong Kong into Shenzhen which would be the next city on your way to Guangzhou. Ferry’s go all night to Macau because of the Casinos. By the way, you can take the MTR train from HKG Airport thru Hong Kong, thru Shenzhen and end up in Guangzhou.

The links for the Ferry's and MTR train with schedules and prices are listed below. One final note, you can take a ferry from HKG airport to Macau and Zhuhai. Don't buy a ticket online in the event your flight is late and you miss the ferry. Just buy your ticket when you get there. You can also charge the ferry on your Visa or MasterCard thus getting the current rate. As far as international fees are concerned with using credit cards, Capital One doesn't charge a fee so I always use this one. You might check this out with your credit card company before going on a spending spree if you don't use Capital One. Some fees are outrageous. Always, Always, Always offer lower price when dealing with the locals in China. Most cases, 80% less. When you offer them a price, they say no, say ok... walk away. They will chase you down.

I have been to Guangzhou once. I thought it was too crowded and dirty much like Shenzhen. Hong Kong is a little cleaner but way too crowded. I would have to look more at Guangzhou first and see what kind of international schools are available first.

Distance across the river delta from Hong Kong to Zhuhai is approx. 14 KM. It is within the scope of the "distance clause" but remember, you can get approvial outside the 100 mile range from the Chief Pilot from what I understand and still get the housing allowance. I know you get less if you buy, but based on how fast the prices are going up, I would definately buy and get whatever money from FedEx to supplement my investment. Property values are increasing over 30% each year!

Hope this helps....

CKS Ferry Link: http://www.cksp.com.hk/eng/aboutus/main.html

Turbojet Ferry Link: http://www.turbojet.com.hk/index.htm

MTR Train (Subway) Link: http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/e_customer_index.php

Enjoy your experience!

Regards,

Whale

CloudSailor

Great info Whale.
Thanks so much man.
I'm excited about the trip. It'll definitely help my wife and I make some decisions about future possibilities.

Whale Pilot

Cloud,

The name of the hotel in Zhuhai that is suppose to be nice is called the Star City Hotel in Zhuhai. Here is the link. I will be trying this as compared to the Holiday Inn which is where I normally stay.

They don't have the english page up yet but here is the link: http://www.starcity-hotel.com/

If you want to try the Holiday Inn here is a link to the ICH Hotel Web site where you can book your hotel. The Holiday Inn will run about 100 RNB per night more. Here is that link: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/rates

Regards,

Whale

FDXLAG

Thought I would bump this thread since the SIG notes mentioned HKG 76 VTOs in July. I guess we will all need China visas to sit Reserve?

Jetjok

8 posts and not one complaint. Amazing. Keep it up guys.

TonyC

I don't believe there will be any B-767 flying in Hong Kong. The MEM B-767 pairings will be MEM flying, assigned during the Secondary Line process, and then both MEM B-767 pilots will be bumped for training by newly minted B-767 pilots assigned to HKG so they can get their consolidation and SLF done. (Reference last paragraph of HKG B-767 SIG Notes.)



Also, the China Visa and Hong Kong Visa information in this thread is very outdated and not very useful to a FedEx pilot. The information on pilot.fedex.com is current and very useful.






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