Job Discussion Forums

[dove]

A few months ago I inquired about renewing my work visa....thanks for all the responses. But I am hearing some conflicting reports about whether one is allowed to leave the country once the application has been made.

My visa expires on Jan 23, 2007. I am travelling abroad until Jan 4th. I decided to apply for my visa extension on the 5th (I already have all the paper work in hand), believing that one was NOT allowed to leave the country during the renewal process. Do you think I will have any problems with this timing? I have heard it takes more than a month to get the new stamp in your passport....what happens if the application has been made but the original work visa has expired?

Can one leave the country if a renewal application has been made, but the new visa has not been issued? Am I doing the right thing waiting until I get back even though I am cutting it close?

Thank you !

[earthmonkey]

You are doing the right thing by applying after you return. I was told by Immigration not to leave the country after I applied for my extension earlier this year.
Once you have applied, it's not a problem if your old visa expires while you are waiting for the new one. That is what happened in my case. The application stamp serves as a temporary visa until your new one is processed.
Sounds like you have the right plan.

[Glenski]

Call immigration and ask. This issue is too important to ask people on a discussion forum. You may or may not be allowed to come back. Get the word from the officials.