Job Discussion Forums

[it'snotmyfault]

Has anyone done this recently, was the process straightforward, any unexpected problems?

I'll be going in a couple of weeks to do this, I have all the necessary documents and am hoping there won't be any unexpected problems.

I'm wondering about how much time to give myself in HK though. If I go to the consulate Monday morning when can I reasonably expect to get my Z-visa?

I read that it should be within two days, but again, what is other people's experience? Just so I can plan flight times.

[wangdaning]

This is from their website.

http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/syjy/

It just depends on what service you pay for.

[7969]

[kungfuman]

Mondays are the worst. But as stated - get there EARLY. And if you pay for 24 hour service you can get it back the next day. Submit in am get am the next day. Submit pm, get pm the next day.

It's not hard to find. If you are staying in Kowloon take the Wenchai Star Ferry. it leaves you off a brisk 10 minute walk from the office. (it's a little maze like) and you may have to ask directions but the office entrance is on the ground floor of the building. The guards working in the office will usually point you in the right direction.

Bring COPIES of your work permit and other items as sometimes they tell you to make copies for no apparent reason.

NOTE they only take HKD and you pay on pick up.

[it'snotmyfault]

Thanks for the advice. Getting it back the next day will be good and I'll try and get there bright and early!

Good tip about the photocopies too.

[MESL]

They've got 2, 4, and 5 day processing. The faster processing is about 200 yuan more. The last 2 times I've gone they've asked for additional documents that apparently the FAOs don't know about. In addition to what the FAOs gave me, and I don't know what the FAOs gave me because its written in Chinese, the HK clerks asked for 1) health certificate 2) invitation letter from the school 3) school license to hire foreigners. Note that the school invitation letter is in addition to the invitation letter from the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

[MESL]

Here's some written directions I emailed someone about a year ago. I was there last month and nothing had changed.


Go to the Wan Chai subway station. Go out Exit 2A. Across the street on Hennessy should be a McDonald�s. Turn left on Hennessy. Turn left off Hennessy onto Fleming. Pass Lockhart, Jaffe, and Gloucester. When you get to the overpass/bridge, you can see the Exhibition Center. You�ll also see a large sign that says, �Arts and Crafts.� To the left of the bridge/overpass is the Tung Wai Commercial Center. Across from the Exhibition Center is the Mormon church and the police station. Go in the first floor of the Exhibition Center Building. Don�t go up the steps to the main door. Go around to a small side door. You might see a line of foreigners standing outside waiting to go through the security check. Go up the elevator. And alternate route is exit A5. The escalator leads to a pedestrian overpass that goes over almost all the streets. At the end of the overpass, you turn right. Then it winds around a lot, but you're right across from the visa office when you come out. Again, you might want to just take a taxi. If you have "visa office/exhibition center" written in Chinese, it's only a few blocks and it's a famous building, so the taxi drivers should be familiar with it. Don't come on Mondays or Tuesdays because the lines are very long. I came at the same time, 10 a.m., on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Wednesday was much less crowded - almost no lines. Be prepared to fill out a 6 page application. Questions include education background, insurance, emergency contact, relatives, diseases, Hong Kong hotel, and I can't remember what all

[kungfuman]

^ That's why I recommended the Star Ferry to Wenchai - much easier as once you are off the ferry the ramps actually lead right to the China Business Building or whatever it is called.