Job Discussion Forums

WastedMiddleAge · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Anyone with any experience of how long it takes to process a Z visa appication for mainland China at the Consulate in Hong Kong?

MeiYu · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Hangzhou

absolutely....just did it.

we arrived in Hong Kong about noon, so we missed the first opening hours, (i think its opened from 9-12) but lined up for the re-opening at 2 (hours from 2-5). we payed the extra couple hundred HKD and picked them up at 4:30 that afternoon.

seriously the most hassle-free visa application process ever. i hope its that easy for you! Very Happy

if you have any other questions about it, lemme know.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

if you get there by 9 you can have it by 11:30 that morning.

chinaboytian · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Tianjin

I got mine there too. If you don't want to pay for same day service, you can generally get the visa the following day.

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

Same here. I got mine same day before noon.

WastedMiddleAge · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies. Going on Tuesday. Will post an update

WastedMiddleAge · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Been out of Internet space since my last post but just to confirm all said by the above: HK is simplicity itself for getting a visa

Canasian · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 39 Location: Canada

what kind of requirements were needed to get a Z visa in HK?
or are you just able to apply and receive .. Question

WastedMiddleAge · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

I had a letter from an employer on the mainland. Doubt whether they'd consider dealing with anything less, but am willing to be contradicted.

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Would someone be kind enough to list the paper work that you presented in HK to secure a "Z" visa.

Thank you.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

fitzgud · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Henan province

Please beware; the letter of invitation is not issued by the school. It is in fact issued by the local government office that grants a licence to the school to employ a foreign teacher.
The other requirement is the competed application form (for Hong Kong only) a downloaded and printed one will not be accepted, unless it is for Hong Kong only. You also must supply two passport size photos.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

I'm in a bit of a fog here. If the school can issue an invitation letter or other relevant documents like an FE cert, why can't they simply give you the proper paperwork for your FRP and let you do it all here?

OR.....does this only apply in the case of changing employers without a release letter?

I resigned from one of those no-class McSchools back in 2004 all according to Hoyle and their useless contract: a month's notice. completed my classes, returned all materials, spiffed up my apartment. When I asked for the required letter, they refused the same way they had done to so many others -- and only out of spite. Every time I asked someone else in the school admin, I got a different lie.

I had to return to the US, have my letter of invitation and FE cert sent to the Chinese consulate, get the Z visa and then return. Cost to me? $4,000US.

Now, I simply go to the exit/entry visa office once a year with a form from the school, a change of residence form (if needed), 2 fotos, the PRC form and some RMB. Last time the first visit took 5 minutes and the return visit in a week took 2.

You mean I could have simply gone to HK?

Just curious.

WordUp · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

http://journeyeast.org/News/hong_kong_visas.htm

This link provides several decent maps about the visa office location and requirements for processing visa in Hong Kong also some suggestions about where to stay.

cheers