Job Discussion Forums

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

I have a Residence Permit, and will NOT be getting a release letter from my soon to be ex-employer. My new employer is sending me to Hong Kong to get a new Z-visa, then fly back, get new RP in Shanghai. And I have told them to make certain that it specifies HK as where I'm to get the new Z-visa.

Seems straightforward to me, but I've never done it this way before, so I want to be aware of any potential pitfalls.

And I know this has been discussed a million times on here, but since I'm going from a valid RP -> HK -> Z-visa, it seems maybe a little abnormal, or not. Not sure...

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

there are no pitfalls as long as your papers are in order. they'll cancel your current residence permit and issue the new visa. the only potential problem might be if you show up at the office in wan chai late and get stuck at the end of a very long line. That place is usually busy. It opens at 8 or 9 am, cant remember which but i recommend showing up at the door on the ground floor around 7am of the day you go. That way you get in and out fast.

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

Thanks! I've done the HK shuffle before, but the old/new visa combination was different than this time around. I guess the canceling of the RP with a Z-visa will work the same as if I were canceling it with an L-visa.

Yeah, that line is hella long! Didn't seem to take as long as it looked like it might, though.

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

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

I'm sure the poster already knows, but for others who might not... do get your forms filled out before you arrive. You can print it from the website. I would also suggest not going on a Monday. The lines are often shorter in the afternoon.

As the previous poster brought up, be sure to have your forms, passport, documents, and photos ready to present. I seem to remember that they won't even give you a number until your form is filled out.

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mat chen · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 494 Location: xiangtan hunan

Bring a book. I have seen them change everything and had to wait days because of new rules. Things can be good or bad according to whether they decide to change things. Keep in touch with your employer, while you are there. You may need there assistance on the home front. One time in Canada then embassy decided everyone needed to have proof of a stay in a hotel. I was living in the school accomodations and this was not appropriate for them.

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

Mat chen writes the gospel truth. And with the University Games coming up in Shenzhen this summer things are changing even more than usual. You can probably still do Z visas in HK if you have all your documentation in apple pie order, chopped and sealed, but I just tried to renew my independent F visa - I already have 5 in my passport, and always kept my nose clean in my mainland travels - but currently no way.[/i]

drrjon · Joined: 09 Oct 2010 Posts: 35 Location: Chongqing

Just got back from Hong Kong. Lines moved very quickly. Make sure to have photo copies of all your documents. We advise our teachers also to take their new medical form with them but do not give the original. Most times this is not asked for but the visa office did ask one of our teachers for it so better safe than sorry.

sainthood · Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 12:09 pm Post subject:

I've been told just to go to a travel agent - is this not true???

flyingscotsman · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 339 Location: Suzhou, China

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA