Is it possible for an American to get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong?

I lived in Hong Kong for nearly a year, and made multiple trips to mainland China while I was there.

I recommend getting your Chinese visa from a processing/expediting agent. I was there around the 2008 Olympics and visas were in high demand so lines were long and visas for US Citizens were frequently being rejected and/or shortened.

My first visa application in NYC was shortened and reduced to single entry. By going through a visa agency in Hong Kong I was able to get a one year multi-entry visa overnight for a relatively small processing fee.

The website looks super-shady, but I went to this place in person and had my photo taken and they got me the visa the next day. No line, no hassle. Forever Bright LTD.

14 Science Museum Rd,Tsimshatsui East,Kowloon,H.K Rm 916-7, 9/F,New Mandarin Plaza,Tower B

Google Map

Too late now, but they usually reject it in Hong Kong unless you have an old Chinese VISA on your passport already. If you did have an old Chinese VISA, I think it's still a next-day thing (apply today, and get it tomorrow deal).

Very late to the party, but -

Already for a few years ( 2014-ish ) the Chinese consulate in HK does not issue a Chinese visa for people who do not apply with an HK ID.

This policy might change periodically ( like any Chinese policy ) but it is the general rule of thumb. Exceptions might be also considered for some special visa types / visit reasons ( diplomatic, Medical visit, emergency , family visit etc. )

UPDATE ( after comment )

well, it appears that from Jan.2018 the visa application process has been moved to a dedicated "Chinese Visa Application Service Center", and is not even processed anymore in the consulate like my original answer.

On their website, you can find this ( typ-o's in original ):

Applicants accepted by the Visa Centre: The Visa Centre can accept visa applications from foreign citizens staying in Hong Kong with appropriate residence permit, and those from foreign tourists staying in Hong Kong temporarily. However, it is strongly advised that foreign tourists make reasonable arrangement and get visas from Chinese embassy/consulate-general in the countries they reside or of their citizenship in advance.

so it might appear as though they can now process tourist .. BUT

in another page it also states that :

Is it permitted for someone else to submit my application to the Visa Centre on my behalf?

For applicants age 14 to 70, the first time applying for a Chinese visa since 4th Dec 2017, you must submit both the visa application and fingerprint at the centre in person. If you have submitted the visa application and fingerprint in person since 4th Dec 2017, for the next 5 years you may entrust a third party to do it.

which at that point, you can make of it what you will.

But it seems to me that in the case where your fingerprint was not collected, a 3rd party can not apply on your behalf ( but can "arrange" documentation probably.. )

The following is only personal opinion.

As a personal experience of over 15 years with Chinese visa regulations - I can only say that it is frequently updated and changed periodically and regionally. I can also say that a language like it is **strongly advised** that foreign tourists make reasonable arrangement and get visas from Chinese embassy/consulate-general in the countries they reside is a strong indicator in Chinese affairs.

But again, if an X-agency has some special way of doing that - than it is more than plausible and I am sure they know best.

UPDATE 2

in the CTS website, which is the "official" Chinese gov. backed travel agency, it is clearly declared ( on point 3 )

Proof of legal stay or residence status, or various valid certificates relevant to the visa.

again, broad language.. ( legal stay can be also a passport of a country that does not require a visa to hk with an entry slip ) but still.

in fact, if you dig in to the same website in the question, you will find that my answer seems to be correct for multiple entries , as the required documents are :

• Passport
• Passport Photo
• HKID Card

so it all seem to come to the type of visa required.

Final Opinion / Advice:

Don't count on it .

If you are in HK - Feel free to go and try. If you do - make sure you have the entry slip or get a copy at the immigration tower ( wan chai ).

If you are still in the US - get arranged before traveling.

I will try to pass in one of the agencies in the following days and will update if have any news.