Job Discussion Forums

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

First a word of warning, the Hong Kong visa service is overloaded. First you line up outside the building until the security guard ushers you inside. Afterwards, you take the elevator up to the visa office whereupon there is another large line-up for passport pickups, and another lineup to get a ticket number for your visa application (similar to waiting-in-bank system).

Before flying to Hong Kong, I had attempted to telephone the visa office with no success - always the same busy line. HOWEVER, they were responsive to emails and faxes. They recommended I fax over the intended application documents before coming.

I initially sent over a cover letter with my contact information and my sponsoring party's letter of invitation. I was promptly contacted and told to provide the sponsor's business license. A copy would be acceptable; however, it needs to be stamped with the company's seal.

That same afternoon, I faxed over the cover letter, stamped invitation letter, and stamped business license copy. My office was contacted that same afternoon and informed that we were clear for visa application.

I flew out the following morning.

The visa office will do expedited super-rush 24-hour processing service. But, they word this as two-working days processing time. However, what they mean is that visas applied for in the morning will be ready the following morning. Visas applied for in the afternoon will be ready the following afternoon.

I have been informed that it IS possible to apply for single entry F-visas and Z-visas in Hong Kong. However, double/multiple-entry F-visas will only be issued to Hong Kong residents; I confirmed this through email and later directly from the woman at the application window.

The entire process (included rush service) cost me 450 HK dollars. I am a Canadian citizen. Americans should expect to pay a lot more.

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Thanks so much for the info.

Cheers!

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

Lorean,

I presume you got the Z visa that you were seeking when you made your initial inquiry here?

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Lorean

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

that wasn't a "You r bad person" illegal.

In my seven years, I have been illegal at least three timtwice. it makes for a pain in the ass.

If you are currently working, and did not enter on a z-visa, you are working illegally.

Working on a F visa is illegal, though in the past widely widely done. And sometimes it burned people

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

@arioch, it's illegal if you are receiving pay in China. Possibly also illegal if you are working for a Chinese employer (that I don't know). I got out of teaching many months ago, I'm working for a foreign firm.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

It's funny as once in South Korea I applied for a university position and actually got the position. I was told after I got the position that over 80% of the applicants that had applied hadn't checked out when their degree had been checked. This was the only place that I worked for that I know actually checked degree.