Job Discussion Forums

darrenoshea · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 1

I recently signed a contract to work for a school in Beijing but have been told that it will take until the 23rd January to receive the invitation letter. By that stage I will be in Hong Kong.

I am from Ireland and am looking to find out if I will have to travel back to Ireland to process the Z visa or if I can get it processed legally in Hong Kong, Macau or another country nearby? Or is there an option C?

Joker King · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Shznzhen

Things are back to normal since the Olympics, so you can get a Z visa processed in in Hong Kong again, but not without the invitation letter.

The actual date could be important as well as the visa office will be closed for several days because of Chinese New Year.

rswagner · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 3

As of May 2008, it is now impossible to receive a residency permit on the basis of an L- or F-visa, nor can a Z-visa any longer be obtained by making a "visa-run" to Hong Kong or Taiwan.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

In CHina nothing is impossible. Actually, you have never been able to get a RP with an L Visa or F visa .. well not wuite true.. their is a temporary residence permit... but that confuses the issue.

These new rules are not new. They have always been around. Breaking the rules is becoming less and les accepted on these matters. Never heard of a visa run to Taiwan. If your school can get the provincial waishiban /FAO/educational Bureau to write an invitation letter for you even after you have come into China on an L visa, then yes, you can still get a z-visa in Hong Kong, especially if the invitation letter specifically states Hong Kong.

In the far past this was very commonly done, and each year since I have been here it has become less and less likely, thoguh recruiters and school still commonly lie about being able to do this. The vast majority of big problems are based on a teacher coming here without a z-visa.

I would 100% strongly recommend that no one come without a z-visa.

That being said, it is, however, still possible to have the l converted to z in country or in Hong Kong

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

Double-check to see what the work permit says on the top: It states very clearly where you have to apply for yourwork visa - it probably is your home country. If it doesn't mention Hong Kong you won't be given a work visa there.

Only HK residents qualify, and the rare mainland-based applicant whose invitation letter/work permit states that the applicant can/has to apply for the visa in HK.

newguns · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Location: china

anyone got some personal experience of not being able to get a Z visa in HK?
I just keep reading about self apointed experts without providing evidence.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Contact the China Visa Office in Wan Chai. This is where everyone who gets the Z visa in HK will be going to get it. You can find their contact details via Google.

newguns · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Location: china

ok...
did you contact them or go to see them?

Also, i have read if you have written at the top of the work permit, that it can be processed in HK, you can get a visa there. Can the place of employment theoretically put down any country then?

cheers

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

I've been at the same job for four years, so I havent had to go to Wan Chai to get a new visa. So I haven't contacted them, but they're only a phone call away. Be aware, I've heard from a few other people that they don't like to answer their phones too often.