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RnH
Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject: Visa run to Hong Kong/ Manila? |
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Hi there,
We are currently on vacation in the Philippines and we are coming to Korea to teach in a few weeks. We were wondering if it would be possible to do our visa runs in Manila or Hong Kong, and also how long it would take in either place? We want to try and avoid doing the Japan visa run again. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!
(PS Searched the stickies, but can't find any info on this) |
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cosmo

Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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South Korea Embassy/High Comission/Consulate Hong Kong Office :
Street Address : 5-6/F, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Road
(+852) 25294141
Email : [email protected] |
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Masta_Don

Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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I went to Hong Kong on my last one. Airfare is a tad more so you might have to persaude your boss or throw a little money in on it. The embassy is incredibly easy to get to (last or second to last stop on the Airport Express) and no one's ever there so no wait. Still have to wait till the next day but they aren't the sticklers that the Japanese embassy are.
That said, I'm glad I went to Hong Kong, but, as a tourist, it's boring. I'm sure there's more underneath the surface, has to be, but it was all Victoria's Peak and the sitting Buddha for me. When I tried the nightlife there was none. When I went to Chinese bars I got cold shouldered. Foreigner bars were empty and blaring hip hop. When I went shopping it was either chintzy trinkets or $200 jackets. When I went to something that looked like a reputable sauna I got an offer for a handjob. It's is the most European part of Asia and certainly different than Japan, but, now, if I had to pick knowing what I know of the two, I'd take Japan.
Oh, the food was great as long as you don't mind bone splinters in everything (if you've lived in Korea for long enough you probably won't mind).
Have you thought about Taiwan? |
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RnH
Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanx for the great info! We'll be flying through Hong Kong from Manila on our way to Korea, so thats why I asked! We're not really interested in seeing any sites along the way, just wanna get the visa done, so Hong Kong sounds great! Was thinking about Taipei, but we need to apply for a visa to get ito Taipei first. Thanx again! |
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RnH
Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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PS Masta_Don: Where did you stay? We are looking for a really cheap place close to the embassy. Thanx! |
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hellofaniceguy

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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RnH wrote: |
PS Masta_Don: Where did you stay? We are looking for a really cheap place close to the embassy. Thanx! |
no cheap places close to the consulate....(no korean embassy in HK).
High rent district it is.
Manila is far more fun and cheaper. Head over to Robinson's mall and you'll have a blast shopping.
You won't get you visa in one day in Manila AND you need to get to the embassy EARLY! It's a mad mad mad house with hundreds and hundreds of people in line starting at 7 am. |
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RnH
Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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So how many days then would it take to get our visas in manila??! Anyone got their visas in Kota kinabalu in malaysia?? Maybe thats an option! |
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Masta_Don

Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: |
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RnH wrote: |
PS Masta_Don: Where did you stay? We are looking for a really cheap place close to the embassy. Thanx! |
I stayed about 3 subway stops away the first night. I forget the area but if I saw a map of Hong Kong I'd remember. It's on the other side of the river. It was about $20US but the reason I only stayed there one night was I found out, in a traveller's guide, that that building had the most unsolved murders in all of Hong Kong. Second night I wandered and wandered until I found a love motel that would put me up. That was about $30 and 6 or so stops from the consulate.
If you go and stay more than a day, you might as well get an Octopus pass. That was the advice I was given and it was solid advice. Got a discount at Victoria Peak cuz of it too. |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:46 am Post subject: |
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RnH wrote: |
So how many days then would it take to get our visas in manila??! Anyone got their visas in Kota kinabalu in malaysia?? Maybe thats an option! |
2 hours to 4 days for Manila.
If you show an OUTBOUND ticket to a destination OTHER than Korea you can get same day service in Manila.
Otherwise, depending on the number of visa applicants it can take overnight to 4 days for processing. |
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RnH
Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Korea
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:50 am Post subject: |
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We've got an outbound ticket to Kota kinabalu so maybe we'll give that a go! Thanx so much! |
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