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Most visitors from outside China will go through Hong Kong, the nearest major airport to the ILDA Conference location. There are two parts to the travel: entering Hong Kong which is easy (passport only in most cases), and then entering China (a visa is required).

The information below is a guide and is subject to change. You should double-check with the embassy or consulate in your home country.

Hong Kong passport and visa requirements

If you will be spending only a few days at most in Hong Kong, the requirements are very easy. You can enter on a valid passport as long as the passport remains valid for at least six months after your departure date from Hong Kong. For example, if you arrive on January 1 2007, and will leave on January 7, the passport expiration date must be after July 7 2007. In addition, you must have return tickets as well as all documents required for your next destination (China). Finally, you must have "sufficient funds to cover your stay in Hong Kong."

Hong Kong import restrictions

Click here for a list of prohibited items, which you cannot bring into Hong Kong. Some medicines such as Valium and antibiotics are on the list. It is unclear whether small quantities for personal use are legal.

China visa requirements

You will need a valid visa to enter China. It is best if you get this before you leave home. However, if you do wait until the last minute, Jim Hardaway says that there is a travel agent outside of the Royal Pacific Hotel (next to the China Ferry Terminal) who can arrange last-minute visas."You can submit your visa application at 9:30 am and get your visa by 1:00-1:30 pm and make the 1:30 or 5:00 pm ferry."

However, to avoid any problems and to reduce cost, we strongly recommend that you try to get your China visa in advance!

Invitation letter

For a business visa, you need an invitation letter from ILDA and Neo-Neon:

• Download an invitation letter in Microsoft Word format here. You can fill this in and submit it to the visa authorities.
• If a official letter is required with company stamp, you can fill in the document (Word file) and send it to Jim Hardaway at Neo-Neon. He will print it out, add the official stamp, and send it back to you by mail (post). There is a $25 processing fee for this service, which you can pay at the Conference or here:
  

China charges is a fee for the visa; in the U.S. the consulate fee for a single-entry visa is US$50 for four-day processing and $80 for same-day processing. You can also get double-entry and multiple-entry visas, which have higher prices.

If you use a travel agent or visa service such as PassportsPlus, they may have their own additional fees. For example, PassportsPlus charges from $29 for four-day processing, to $100 for same-day processing. Note that you send them your passport; they charge an additional $18 for FedEx return shipping of your passport and visa.

For more information on obtaining a China visa, contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in your area, or do an Internet search to find instructions and visa service companies.

Driving in China

If you want to drive in China, apply for an International Driving Permit.