Important Info regarding China Visa application in Hong Kong

Hope you all had a pleasant move into the year 2012.
If you are in Hong Kong and want to apply a China Visa please read the following points carefully - this is some rather new findings after I have got information from a lot of people doing China Visa applications here in Hong Kong:

1) If you are a traveller and want to apply for a F - Visa here in Hong Kong just forget it, as long as you cannot provide a passport full with old F - Visas (business Visa). The max you will get will be a L - Visa (tourist Visa) with a max of 2 entries. Makes no difference if you make your application with a local travel agent or directly at the Commissioners Office.

2) If you are a Hong Kong permanent resident and you want to apply for a multiple entry F - Visa, better do not try through the Commissioners Office (surely this is the cheapest application), as long as you cannot provide a lot of extra documentation like business registration, investment visa, invitation letters + a long history of F - Visa. You can be dissapointed by again only getting a tourist visa for 2 entries. Why is that so ? Do not ask me, but it seems the Chinese Government want "crack down" on business people abusing the F - Visa + then really working in China, without proper
permits. Actually this is logical and understandable as too many people have abused this in the past: Under a F - Visa just go in / out once a month - and avoid all other necessary permits in China, like residence permit, work permit & surely PAYING TAX (one important point).

3) If you are a business people in HK and need a multiple F - Visa for lets say 6 month or 12 month, there is only one chance to get a F - Visa without any hassle: Not to apply through the Hong Kong Commissioners Office (of the PRC) for that Visa. If you have enough F - Visa history, this is workable with some agencies who are applying for you on the other side of the border like in Shenzhen or Guangzhou. This is totally legal, but expensive (around HK$ 2,000 or more).

One more thing is very important:
Do not "foul play" regarding your Visa applications. It is the year 2012 and also China has the right to protect themself against people cheating them into the mainland to do illegal business. Just like in the most countries of the world - just obey the rules of immigration & business - it is the best you can do.