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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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 Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:43 pm Post subject: Hong Kong visa debacle -- What would you do? |
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My company asked me to travel to Hong Kong last week to process my Z visa.
Unfortunately, being the incompetent numpties that they are, they didn't provide all the requsite documents.
The person responsible for this shambles will not even accept they didn't provide the correct papers.
I was only expecting to be in HK for 24 hours so I only brought 2 changes of clothes; most of my possessions remain in China.
The company have asked me to return on an L visa but, as my passport only has 2 blank pages remaining, I think that's a bad idea.
5 days in HK has left a massive dent in my war-chest, but if I walk away now I lose my salary and possessions.
I'm not quite sure what to do. |
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Mr. Leafy
Joined: 24 Apr 2012
Posts: 246
Location: North of the Wall
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sorry for your trouble - it sounds like one of the more stressful situations one can get into.
Do you think they really made a mistake with the documents, or that they never intended to give you the right ones, hoping to keep you on revolving L visas?
Why can't they just email the docs to you, or send by DHL?
While the company has put you in a bad position, when living abroad it's always good to renew your passport before it runs low on pages. |
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chinatimes
Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| when living abroad it's always good to renew your passport before it runs low on pages. |
Right, so do that in HK if it doesn't take too long.
Option 2 is to return to China "mainland", get extra pages, get the right documents, then go back to HK.
By the way, what was missing exactly? |
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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. Leafy wrote: |
I'm sorry for your trouble - it sounds like one of the more stressful situations one can get into.
Do you think they really made a mistake with the documents, or that they never intended to give you the right ones, hoping to keep you on revolving L visas?
Why can't they just email the docs to you, or send by DHL?
While the company has put you in a bad position, when living abroad it's always good to renew your passport before it runs low on pages. |
Thanks for your response.
I think there was a recent change in visa policy in Hong Kong and they failed to check it out.
The individual responsible is insisting I have the correct docs -- I suspect to save face.
I'm thinking of just cutting my losses because the stress is just awful. |
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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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| chinatimes wrote: |
| Quote: |
| when living abroad it's always good to renew your passport before it runs low on pages. |
Right, so do that in HK if it doesn't take too long.
Option 2 is to return to China "mainland", get extra pages, get the right documents, then go back to HK.
By the way, what was missing exactly? |
Unfortunately, British passports can't have pages added -- bloody annoying!
I appear to be missing a supplementary invitation letter from the college.
The lady handed me a piece of paper outlining the required document, which I sent to the company. I received a curt reply stating that I have that document.
Total nightmare! |
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davelister
Joined: 15 Jul 2013
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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At a guess, your company (which sound like a right shower of ..) have misunderstood the invitation letter, which isn't just a "yeah we'll employ the laowai" letter from the company, but a confirmation of invitation from a relevant government department.
from www.visaforchina.org
| Quote: |
2. Supporting documents
Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by Chinese relevant units, as well as one of the following approval documents:
(1) Alien Employment License of the People’s Republic of China issued by the Chinese government authority for Human Resources and Social Security;
(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts;
(3) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
(4) Registration certificate of the resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprises issued by related administrative department of industry and commerce；
(5) An approval document for commercial performance issued by Chinese government authority for Cultural Affairs (only applicable to applicants for commercial performances in mainland China). |
Best of luck with it. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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1. what documents did the school provide? working permit, visa
invitation letter, hiring notice (invitation?) on school letterhead?
2. what is a "supplementary invitation letter?" what was on that
there sheet of paper the consulate lady gave you? is it possible you
do indeed have it......somewhere?
3. too late for new passport. all your documents would have the
old passport number. they'd have to resubmit applications for
work permit and visa invite.
4. your possessions and salary are in china? had you already been
working on a tourist visa? |
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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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| davelister wrote: |
At a guess, your company (which sound like a right shower of ..) have misunderstood the invitation letter, which isn't just a "yeah we'll employ the laowai" letter from the company, but a confirmation of invitation from a relevant government department.
from www.visaforchina.org
| Quote: |
2. Supporting documents
Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by Chinese relevant units, as well as one of the following approval documents:
(1) Alien Employment License of the People’s Republic of China issued by the Chinese government authority for Human Resources and Social Security;
(2) Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts;
(3) Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
(4) Registration certificate of the resident representative office of foreign (regional) enterprises issued by related administrative department of industry and commerce；
(5) An approval document for commercial performance issued by Chinese government authority for Cultural Affairs (only applicable to applicants for commercial performances in mainland China). |
Best of luck with it. |
Funnily enough, I think they provided the official letter but forgot the informal one.
They really are total Jeremy Hunts for landing in this! |
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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| choudoufu wrote: |
1. what documents did the school provide? working permit, visa
invitation letter, hiring notice (invitation?) on school letterhead?
2. what is a "supplementary invitation letter?" what was on that
there sheet of paper the consulate lady gave you? is it possible you
do indeed have it......somewhere?
3. too late for new passport. all your documents would have the
old passport number. they'd have to resubmit applications for
work permit and visa invite.
4. your possessions and salary are in china? had you already been
working on a tourist visa? |
The form says:
For Z visa please provide:
1." Confirmation letter of invitation" or "invitation letter" by the duly authorized unit. For example, Foreign Affair Office (original) (apply in Hong Kong).
2. And visa supporting letter from the company in China.
3. Alien Employment License of the PROC' or working permit."
I'm pretty sure number 2 is missing. There is no invitation letter with the school's emblem.
I was rushed over by the school due to chronic staff shortages caused by extreme mismanagement. |
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Mr. Leafy
Joined: 24 Apr 2012
Posts: 246
Location: North of the Wall
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Lord Bafford wrote: |
| Funnily enough, I think they provided the official letter but forgot the informal one. |
| davelister wrote: |
| At a guess, your company (which sound like a right shower of ..) have misunderstood the invitation letter, which isn't just a "yeah we'll employ the laowai" letter from the company, but a confirmation of invitation from a relevant government department. |
There is no informal one. In case they do think it's like davelister said, this is what it should look like. Maybe you do have it, but were expecting more of a 'letter' looking type of document?
http://pandavisa.com/Forum/topic13-invitation-letter-of-duly-authorized-unit-z-visa.aspx
Working on a tourist visa is not good. Do your co-workers have the right visa? |
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davelister
Joined: 15 Jul 2013
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
The form says:
For Z visa please provide:
1." Confirmation letter of invitation" or "invitation letter" by the duly authorized unit. For example, Foreign Affair Office (original) (apply in Hong Kong).
2. And visa supporting letter from the company in China.
3. Alien Employment License of the PROC' or working permit." |
If HK wants 2. then it should be straightforward for the school to fax or email you a copy, with copied stamp/seal. It doesn't matter if the school or anyone says it's not required, if the issuing office says it is required.
Check Leafy's link to see if you've got 1. or 2. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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i was sent all three when i got my z-visa in thailand:
#1 is (mr. leafy's link) the visa invitation notice from the provincial
foreign affairs office that must state hong kong. otherwise, you'll apply
back in your 'hometown.'
#2 is a formal business letter on school letterhead welcoming me
to the school and "inviting" me to teach there, concluding with
"please apply for z-visa with the attachements."
#3 is the working permit from the state admin of foreign experts
affairs.
i doubt they'd accept an emailed/faxed copy. you could try, but i
suspect they want to see an original with bright red school stamp. |
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davelister
Joined: 15 Jul 2013
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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choudoufu
| Quote: |
i doubt they'd accept an emailed/faxed copy. you could try, but i
suspect they want to see an original with bright red school stamp. |
www.visaforchina.org
| Quote: |
3. Special notes
(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID.
(2) If necesssary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant. |
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Lord Bafford
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 58
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. Leafy wrote: |
| Lord Bafford wrote: |
| Funnily enough, I think they provided the official letter but forgot the informal one. |
| davelister wrote: |
| At a guess, your company (which sound like a right shower of ..) have misunderstood the invitation letter, which isn't just a "yeah we'll employ the laowai" letter from the company, but a confirmation of invitation from a relevant government department. |
There is no informal one. In case they do think it's like davelister said, this is what it should look like. Maybe you do have it, but were expecting more of a 'letter' looking type of document?
http://pandavisa.com/Forum/topic13-invitation-letter-of-duly-authorized-unit-z-visa.aspx
Working on a tourist vosa is not good. Do your co-workers have the right visa? |
I have a document with my name and passport details on an invitation list, but there are no contact details for the school.
I really don't think I have much choice but to jump ship. Returning on an L visa is notoption. |
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BlueBlood
Joined: 31 Aug 2013
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:24 am Post subject: |
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These kinds of threads are SO DEPRESSING. Mind, I'm not blaming the OP at all. Not my point. My point is that FT's are treated like dirt oftentimes.
An expat working for a "real" company would be sent to HK (or wherever) to have his papers put in order. The company would pay for everything, from the cab from his apt/office, to the hotel, and per diem.
More sadly, an FT whom I met from this board and I have become acquainted. His story with his school and visa? Much the same. They basically treated him like dirt. In his case, he simply left and returned to his home country--minus over $3,000 U.S. in physical exam cost, Z-visa cost, flight costs, and extra luggage fees. A total waste for him.
I can only hope my leap of faith goes better...
OP, I hope it ultimately works out for you. |
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