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Was in Hong Kong recently & wanted to make a quick trip to Shenzhen, just across the border to shop for even cheaper Chinese tat. However, I had to cancel my plans as I was informed that many British nationals (my wife happens to be one) are refused visas at the border, unlike nationals of most other (including 3rd world) countries & Americans are charged 3 times the going rate for 5 day visas. So having a British passport can be a disadvantage in some countries, especially Russia & communist controlled countries in Asia.tt wrote:
[China allows some EU nations to transit without visa for 6 days if visiting certain areas on officially approved routes and tours from Hong Kong/Macau - this includes the UK - but the general tourist visa regulations are the same for all the EU]
I won`t be surprised if some UK nationals are indeed refused entry at the border.I got the feeling that the Chinese were distinctly unfriendly to people from the West, particularly Caucasians..I think the Hong Kong Chinese resented being under British rule & treat a lot of Europeans with contempt, now that they have rediscovered their Chinese 'identity'. I suppose the fact that they seem to be doing much better financially than Western Europe just adds to their hubris.tt wrote:Technically speaking (and I know how much THAT'S worth in certain countries!), the situation is this for UK Citizens, in relation to China...
Visa NOT required...
for a stay of max. 6 days provided:
arriving from Hong Kong or Macao to take a trip to Zhujian
Delta in Guangdong Province and:
- travelling as tourist in a group organized by a Chinese
international tour operator or registered travel agency;
and
- entering/travelling and departing only from the following
cities: Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen,
Shantou, Shenzheng, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan or Zhuhai
This applies equally to (of the "old EU"), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, UK...but not the other "old EU"... (nor the USA).
I didn't know that. I wonder why UK nationals get more favourable treatment in Hong Kong and Macau but tighter restrictions in mainland China.tt wrote:You mentioned Hong Kong. Same thing holds for Macau - UK, 6 months visafree - other EU, 3 months visafree.
Actually, I believe a few other EU countries (including Italy) also get 8 months visa free in the Bahamas. Do you know if there are any differences for the British Overseas Territories (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, BVI, etc)? I haven't been able to find any.tt wrote:Bahamas - UK 8 months visafree - other EU, 3 months visafree.
I don't know, but I'd like to visit some potential retirement destinations over the next several years. At the moment all I know is that I don't want to spend my retirement here in the UK. For this purpose I'd like to visit Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries which combine a very low tax regime with a safe environment (the only high tax country I'd be willing to consider is the US).tt wrote:By the way, which destination of these suits you the best?