Visa On Arrival Documentation - Hainan

Basically, you have mentioned all the formalities you will have to accomplish upon your arrival in Hainan. You don't need to complete anything beforehand, but you will fill out a relevant form upon your arrival. You can, of course, bring a passport size photo to speed up the process of application.

Also, it is highly advisable to bring an accommodation booking confirmation for at least a couple of your first days in Hainan. Also, you should print out this confirmation, along with your flight tickets.

Jason, after this post I will repeat two posts that I have answered to your compatriot on the very similar question. Please, read them because you will have to make some other preparations regarding your planned trip.

Part one:

This is a bit tricky to answer. Why? Simply because, although Hainan visa is existent and it functions, the airport staff from practically all airports, with the exception of Hong Kong airport, are more than reluctant to allow the boarding of passengers who have declared that they are flying to Hainan where they will apply for a Hainan VOA. So, if you intend to use Hainan Airlines flight from either Melbourne or Sydney to Haikou, which is very convenient way to reach this Chinese island, nobody can guarantee whether you will be allowed to board the plane or not. It will be up to an airport staff decision and you should be aware that they have a right not do allow you boarding because visas on arrival are never guaranteed, at least in theory. In reality, if you only manage to board the plane, Chinese authorities will definitely grant you a Hainan VOA.

Having in mind all that I have written, you could maybe make a visit to the airport from where do you plan to depart for Hainan and ask the airport staff at check in if they are allowing the boarding of passengers that declare that they will rely on Hainan VOA. If you receive a positive answer, this would be great and that would be a solution to your trip. By the way, you should know that Hainan VOA covers also a travel from Hainan to all other parts of mainland China. Anyway, you are not allowed to enter Hainan from within mainland China!

Part two:

It is also a solution to fly to Hong Kong and to take a flight from there to Hainan. Hong Kong airport staff is well trained, especially about all the aspects of travel to mainland China, Hainan island included. Anyway, if I were you I would make a visit to the airport and ask Hainan Airlines airport staff about this particular detail.

Now, you will have to make an effort or to visit the airport to secure that you will be allowed boarding or to travel to Hainan via Hong Kong. Of course, if you find this solution via Hong Kong probably costly, maybe your best solution will be to obtain a Chinese tourist (L) visa in advance.