Job Discussion Forums

[crunchyone]

I have been told it is not possible to get a Z visa in Hong Kong.

My second L visa (got my first in Korea, the second in Chengdu, Sichuan) ran out on the 1st of May, so my school flew me to Hong Kong last Thursday, the 30th of May.

Friday was the May holiday, so I put my paperwork and visa in at the consulate in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, on Monday morning. I picked it up for HK$400 Tuesday morning, and am back in Chengdu now.

Tips : get to the consulate early. Ask for the express service. Make sure you have a passport photo. Take lots of money, HK is expensive!

c

[suanlatudousi]

Tip - Arrive in China with a legal working visa - the Z visa, instead of working for your employer illegally.

[haopengyou]

I second suanlatudousi's opinion. But also, check your visa. Did you get a Z visa? or did you simply get a preliminary visa so that you could return to China and get your visa? Two years ago (yes, I know that things change a lot) I had to leave China - went to Hong Kong - and got preliminary visa but it had to be processed to completion once I returned to Tianjin, where I was working.

[wangdaning]

[crunchyone]

I prefer to get a job in-country, if I can. A better chance of finding a good job, with better pay, and a chance to check out the town/city to make sure you like it.

It is the temp visa, I will have the full one in a couple of days. Luckily I bought a passport with lots of pages (there are two versions available in Australia). The two L visas, and the temp Z visa, and the stamps have so far chewed up 6 pages.

c

[crunchyone]

Update.

I got the Residence permit, but then gave my school a months notice. My DOS was understanding and provided the letter, no problems.

I got a new job in the same town teaching science and math at an international school. My last school told me to talk to the new school about getting my visa transfered, but the new school didnt want to do that, for some strange reason.

I went off to the PSB to get my Z canceled, and was given a 10 day L visa.

The new school sent me off to HK (with a good expense account) and I got another 30 day L visa, while the new school does the paperwork.

The 30 day expires this Saturday so it was off to the PSB again yesterday, to get an extension. No problems, it will be ready on Monday.

Hopefully the Z will be ready before then, and I will be off to my 3rd trip to HK.

So far the Chinese have used 10 pages of my passport, not including the 30 day L I will get on Monday.

c

[kaori06]

I'm going to HK this month to get my Z visa. How long is the processing time? People have advised me to prepare to wait for 2 weeks, would it really take that long? They said they have to send your documents to your home country for verification so it's taking longer. Is that true? Would one week do?

[wangdaning]

Took one day for me, but that was last November.

[Dan The Chainsawman]

I'm watching a friend go through his Z visa crisis at the moment. He has been stuck in Hong Kong for 3 weeks now and has been turned back 2 or 3 times by the .gov in Hong Kong.

I strongly suggest that you call the offices in Hong Kong and double check that you have all the right forms.

[Teatime of Soul]

Knew of a guy whose school just simply abandoned him in HK after repeatedly failing to provide the documents as requested. School just dropped him like an anchor.

He had no Z visa so he had no practical recourse.

I just wouldn't consider any school that didn't provide a Z visa up front.

Everybody has to find the level of risk they are comfortable with.

[crunchyone]

I had no probles getting my Z visa in HK last time.

Put the passport and forms in in the morning, pick it up 24 hours later, if you pay the express fee.

I am not expecting any problems this time either, but will, nevertheless, be prepared for disaster.

c