China has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas to foreigners travelling from Hong Kong until after the Olympics, the South China Morning Post reported.
It’s set to present major inconvenience to foreigners who travel to the mainland regularly, especially on business, the report said. Hong Kong travel agents were quoted saying that the ban would stay in place until after the Olympic Games.
It said the issuing of visas was also being delayed, taking four days to process in Hong Kong instead of one or two days.
Business people and tourists who make regular trips to mainland China from Hong Kong can now only apply for single or double-entry visas, the newspaper said.
Travel agents in Hong Kong were quoted saying that they were informed on March 27 and had been told it would remain in force until October 17.
Previously, foreigners could get multiple-entry visas for up to three years to visit mainland China from Hong Kong.
A DPA report said no explanation was given for the ban but it comes at a time when China is restricting access to western parts of the country because of protests over Beijing’s handling of unrest in Tibet.
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