Job Discussion Forums

[Silent Shadow]

I've just heard that it might not be possible for a public school to sponsor a change of a teacher's L visa to a Z visa in Hong Kong; that foreigners may have to go back to their own country to convert. Does anybody know anything about this?

Has anybody here, recently, been successful in changing their L visa to a Z in Hong Kong while being sponsored by their school? It would be good to particularly hear from Brits that have done this.

Thank you

[Sinobear]

If your school is legally allowed to hire FTs, then they can have your Z visa processed in HK SO LONG AS the invitation letter specifically states that HK is where you are to process your visa.
The school must fax all relevant documentation to the HK China visa office prior to the applicant showing up.

[Silent Shadow]

Thanks a lot Sino.

Your advice is much appreciated

[johntpartee]

When I got my Z visa in Hong Kong in January '09 faxed copies were NOT acceptable. Everything had to be original. I found out the hard way (two trips to HK).

[Sinobear]

My college does this all the time. The college/school faxes all of the relevant paperwork to the Chinese gov't visa office, the applicant then shows up with his/her own documents (originals) and the invitation letter that clearly states that the visa is to be processed in HK.

You must have the original invitation letter with you...that cannot be faxed.

And, I don't see any college/school giving you their original business licence, so, when things are done properly, it really is a painless procedure.

[Silent Shadow]

I was concerned that the stricter visa enforcements that started during the 2008 Olympics were still in force. I heard so many horror stories of foreigners having to return to their home countries for visa renewals at that time.

So when I heard someone state that I might have to go back to Blighty, now, the alarm bells started ringing. Before I heard that, I thought normal service had been resumed. I've just spoken to some visa experts and have been told that it can be processed in Hong Kong. I've converted from L to Z in Hong Kong twice in the past, and I had no problems. That however, was a few years back, well before the Olympics.

Thanks, again, Sino, for your very useful input. Do you know if your college has just recently, maybe at the start of this semester, sent any new teachers with L visas to get them changed to Zs? Rules change so often in China, so very recent experiences are important to know about.

johntpartee, I'm sorry to hear about your wasted trip. I'd better make sure it doesn't happen to me! Thanks, too, for your input.

[Sinobear]

Then the easiest solution to put your mind at rest, is to have your contracting school/college phone the HK visa office and get clarification on the procedure.

My college processed three people this way before Spring Festival...my college is a high-profile gov't college so I don't know if that has any bearing on the matter.

Good luck!

[Silent Shadow]

[quote="Sinobear"]Then the easiest solution to put your mind at rest, is to have your contracting school/college phone the HK visa office and get clarification on the procedure.

How right you are. Unfortunately my schools FAO office seems to find this simple procedure, quite difficult, even after I sent them the contact numbers of said office, myself.

My fault, too. Perhaps, I should buy myself an international phone card and ring myself.

Thanks, Sino!

[mr bedtime]

You dont need to change from any kind of visa to z visa in hong kong.

You can just get a z visa there.

But youwill probbaly need to extend that once in country.

Converting visas is something you do in-country (though it was hard in 2008).

To get a z visa in hong kong, you dont even need an invitation. you just go to an agency with your passport and bussiness card. The cost is about the same as getting an l visa.