Job Discussion Forums

fat tony · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 86 Location: UK

I am in China and working. I currently have a 3 month tourist visa. My school has applied for and received a Foreign experts certificate for me. They were going to fly me to Hong Kong for me to get my Z-visa but have been advised by the Government department that issued the Experts cert. that I cannot get it in HK but have to go home to Australia to get it. The school is still willing to fly me home to get it but it would be better for both parties if I can get it in HK.
What are your thoughts/experiences?
I'd hate to turn up in HK and not be able to get my visa.

Thanks
Fat Tony

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

You really need to check with your embassy. This may entail actually calling them. I hold a US passport and I was able to get my z-visa in HK. I was told the same thing. I currently live in Taiwan, so flying back to the US just for a visa was not an viable option. I suggest you start by e-mailing the question then follow up by calling. I also called the China Resource Center(That is where the embassy is. It actually has a big long name I can't remember) and got clarification from them.

Also, double check the required paperwork you need to bring and bring extra photos.

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:04 am Post subject:

Tony, your post is more muddled than you suppose, when read by people who are familiar with these issues, and presents problems with how to respond to it, because it contains certain inconsistencies which suggest your school's liaisons person is not doing very good "leg work", on your behalf.

You have the FEC, and you're lacking the RPF. [In many provinces, you could be issued the RPF without your having to leave the country. You would not then need a Z visa, at all, as it's purpose is to allow someone to enter the country to work.] The PSB has the primary responsibility in issuing the RPF to you, not the agencies which may have been involved in issuing you the FEC. But your post suggests that the liaisons person is communicating with them, about your need for a visa, and how to get it, rather than with the PSB.

What makes me further suspect that the liaisons personmay not be doing a very good job is your statement that the dept which issued you the FEC says you must go back to your home country to get a Z visa. This would also normally be a question for the PSB.

When the PSB issues the "Official Invitation Notice for Chinese Visa Application", they will normally specify where it is that you are to apply for the Z visa. This can be Hong Kong as easily as anywhere else. Your employer must inform them where it is that you will be applying for the Z visa, if it turns out your school cannot get you the RPF without your leaving the country.

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

I am advised by a HK teacher that you are 'supposed' to get your Z visa in your country of residence, so going to the HK Visa Office may not work. This is 'hearsay' information, and may need checking with your local PSB.

If you do go to HK, a visa is issued at
Visa Office of the P.R.China
7th floor Lower block
26 Harbour Rd.
Wan Chai. HK.

They close from 12 to 2 pm, but if you get past the doorman at the entrance before 12, they continue to work through the lunchtime, but slowly. You can get photo's etc done just outside the door on the 7th floor
Cost depends on how quickly you want the visa..

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:23 am Post subject:

Don, I've never seen anything in Chinese Law that would limit where you can apply for a Z visa, in this way.

As I said in a previous post,

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

Volodiya,
I did pause before putting in the first paragraph, then used three different cautions, 'advised. supposed, and hearsay', to indicate that there MAY be a problem, as an indication to check first, and not accept it as information.
I try to give factual details about important things, but did not want anyone to rush off to HK and find they get caught up in an admin nightmare.
The warning was just to be aware of any potental problems. Perhaps one of our HK posters could give up-to-date info. directly from HK. They may be able to add a phone number as well.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

The HK office for China Visas is on Harbour Rd IN Wanchai. I was told to go to Wanchai also but when I double checked I found that information to be misleading. I just got back from HK two weeks ago with a new z-visa in my passport.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
5th floor, Low Block China Resource Building
26 Harbour RD, Wanchai District
tel:0852-2827-1881

The have a website, but I find it slow and difficult to navigate.
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/

fat tony · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 86 Location: UK

Firstly, thanks very much for all your replies. They're much appreciated.
The PSB said I do have to leave the country to get my Z-visa before I can get my RPF. The info my school has is that visas are granted in HK to only 70% of applicants. (Maybe 30% don't have the right paperwork????)
I am thinking maybe I will just go back to Oz to get it since the school is paying for the flight anyway and they are giving me a week off for it. It would be a good chance to catch up with some friends and family. Flying sux, thats the only reservation I have.
I'll get my school to contact the visa office in Hong Kong directly in any case. I have good friends in Hong Kong too.

Don. I thought I read on another post somewhere that you got your visa in Australia. Where did you get it and how long did the process take?

Thanks again
Tony

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

I got my Z visa from Canberra. There is also an embassy in Sydney but Canberra is quicker.
Flight Centre did the job for me, I paid A$70 for a quick job, which is two days, the express post took two days each way because I live in a remote Qld area, and Flight Centre charged me $40 for the postage and handling.
They supplied the form, and it had nothing about pre journey medical or police clearance or any of the stuff I read about in other sites. You need 2 photos (or was it three?) with it, your passport , your letters from the school and the FA dept etc and flight dates.
In my case I had to show a return date to Aust within 30 days, because that is the length of the visa. Flight Center fixed it, and I changed my return date when I got to China.
email me if there is anything else you need.

Taishan · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 110

China Travel Service

1/F., Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Rd, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

E-mail:[email protected]

Tel : 852-2315 7188

I got the 'Z' entry permit here two years ago.

If rules have changed since and they now only issue travel visas, I apologise in advance.

CTS are state owned travel agents, so have less red tape than most govt admin.