Question

Asked by mikele from portugal | Apr. 30, 2023 17:07

About:Visa on Arrival

5 days Shenzhen VOA - 2 times

dear manager.

-we will come to hongkong from portugal in may 10. we plan apply china 5 days Shenzhen VOA on may 15 and go back hong kong may 20. can we apply again on may 30 for another 5 days Shenzhen VOA since we hope to visit shenzhen for the second time. please let me know.

- I noted the opening hours: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30. does the office work on saturday and sundays also?

hope to hear

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Answers (5)

Answered by SM | Apr. 30, 2023 18:56

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Just tried my luck for a VOA at Lo Wu. Was there at 9am, when the immigration opened. Was told to wait in line till 1pm at least. So anyone trying to get across with a VOA expect to wait for half a day at leàt. If you arrive around 9.30 am you will not make it on that day.
As you are then stuck between boarders it a very complicated process to go back to Hong Kong. Thus I strongly advise against visiting China through a VOA. Will shop somewhere else then. ;)

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Answered by Borut | May. 01, 2023 02:18

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As mentioned by SM, it really seems that some visa offices are indeed so crowded that it makes obtaining a visa a really painful or even an impossible process. In other words, everybody should use exactly the option you have mentioned. This is arriving by ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou port in Shenzhen. Visa office located there is optimized based on the number of people arriving by ferry, so no huge crowds are expected and indeed, they are even not possible.

So, yes, you should use ferry only and not the overland border crossings like Huanggang and Luohu (Lo Wu). Just check for departures from Hong Kong (please, do not confuse this route with the routes from Hong Kong airport because they are dedicated to air passengers only) and take one for Shekou in Shenzhen. This route is operated by CKS (Chu Kong Passenger Transport). It is theirs opening hours that you are mentioning in your post, so plan your arrival in Shekou accordingly.

You are allowed to apply for a second Shenzhen VOA as you mention in your plan, but again, take a ferry instead of usual, overland border crossings.

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Answered by Borut | May. 01, 2023 02:30

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One detail more... After your stay in Shenzhen, you can return to Hong Kong by any mean of transport, high speed train included, and you can also take any border crossing too. You can even fly out of Shenzhen to any third country, but this flight has to be a nonstop one taking you out of mainland China.

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Answered by Helen | May. 02, 2023 07:11

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Oh my goodness that sounds like hard work! I’m due to go to Shenzhen on the 22nd May and had planned for a transfer from Hongkong to take me through Huanggang border. Is this not a good option? I’m now really concerned! Please could you let me know what you think. Thanks

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Answered by Borut | May. 02, 2023 15:26

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Helen, you are advised to take a ferry from Hong Kong directly to Shekou port in Shenzhen and to apply for VOA at visa office there. Their opening hours are: 9:00 - 13:00 & 14:30 - 16:30.

It seems that Shenzhen VOA is in high demand and the working hours are too short. So, by taking a ferry you have a peace of mind.

Plan accordingly.

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