Official charges for various types of Chinese visas are to be adjusted from August 1, with increases for visitors from non-reciprocal countries.

However, the current charges for other certificates such as residence permits will remain unchanged.

The adjustments, announced by the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, were in accordance with a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security.

Visitors from non-reciprocal countries, which have not reached an agreement with China to charge the same on visas, all types of visas will cost more.

For instance, a new charge for the first visa for visitors from non-reciprocal countries will be 160 yuan (US$19.35), an increase of 60 yuan (US$7.26).

The charge for a six-month, multiple-entry visa will be 425 yuan (US$51.41), an increase of 125 yuan (US$15.12).

Group visas will cost 130 yuan (US$15.73) per person, as compared with the original charge 80 yuan (US$9.68).

Changing a visa category will cost 160 yuan, 60 yuan more.

Sixteen countries, including Mexico and Brazil, are listed as the reciprocal countries. The charges of visas are the same between China and a reciprocal country.

Except for the United States and Russia, which are on the new reciprocal country list, all the other countries on the previous reciprocal list, which include Britain, Canada, Australia, South Korea, France and Japan, are now listed as non-reciprocal countries according to the new regulation.

The charges for visas for citizens of all reciprocal countries are higher than those for non-reciprocal countries. So for the countries that are switched from reciprocal countries to non-reciprocal countries, the charges for visa are lowered.

Foreign currencies are acceptable based on the exchange rates between the currencies and the Hong Kong dollar.

The old charge standard was set in 1996, according to the Division of Exit and Entry Administration of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. The division did not give reasons for the adjustments.

In answering questions about whether foreigners would have to go to Hong Kong to renew their visas, the division says there are only a few instances where this would be required.

For instance, when a five-day visa expires, foreigners have to go to Hong Kong. When a holder of Visa (L) comes to Shenzhen to visit his or her spouse, one has to go to Hong Kong to renew the visa after the expiration of the second six-month visa. For visiting other family members or relatives, one should go to Hong Kong after the third three-month visa has expired.

For a holder of Visa (L) who comes to Shenzhen to travel, he or she must leave Shenzhen after one month's extension.

For holders of Visa (X) who come to study, Visa (Z) for work, Visa (F) for business, as long as they provide relevant proof, all their visas can be renewed in Shenzhen.

When having the visa renewed, a recent 2-inch (5-cm) color photo is required.

If a visa expires, a fine up to 500 yuan (US$60.48) per day is applicable although the bureau usually uses its discretion, taking particular circumstances into consideration.

(Shenzhen Daily July 28, 2003)