Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Home Country Apply | Overseas Third Country | Transit Visa-Free | Via Hong Kong | |---|---|---|---|---| | 2+ months before trip | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Possible | ❌ Too early | ❌ N/A | | 2–4 weeks before trip | ⚠️ Rush fee | ⚠️ Risky timeline | ⚠️ Transit only | ⚠️ Apply normally | | 1 week before trip | ❌ Too late | ❌ Too risky | ⚠️ Transit only | ❌ Too late | | US citizen | ✅ 10-year visa | ⚠️ Possible | ⚠️ 72/144h only | ⚠️ Different rules | | EU citizen | ✅ 10-year visa | ⚠️ Possible | ⚠️ 72/144h only | ⚠️ Different rules | | Australian citizen | ✅ 10-year visa | ⚠️ Possible | ⚠️ 72/144h only | ⚠️ Different rules | | Already traveling in Asia | ⚠️ Fly home | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Transit only | ⚠️ Possible | | Need multiple entries | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Rarely granted overseas | ❌ Not applicable | ⚠️ Mainland separate |