[jimbo]

Well I have to take a trip to immigration tower tomorrow to see if I'm 'allowed' to stay on in HK beyond August on my current tourist Visa.

I have to complete the form etc and await a decision. Any idea on how long this is likley to take and the likelihood of getting an extension?

I have spoken to Immigration and they couldn't really help me much so was just wondering if anybody here has done it before?

[KnowItAll]

Jimbo, typically the first extension of a tourist visa is done on the spot. Depends on how dodgy you look that day.

[nation]

Jimbo, I haven't had any personal experience with it but you should bear in mind what Immigration's intentions are behind their visa extension provisions. I'd expect the rationale behind it is for unmigitated circumstances allowing for short term extensions i.e. for reasons where you absolutely have to be in HK for a short period beyond the date of your visa expiry. I could be wrong but I'd be surprised if extensions are allowed for greater than a month and without strong reasoning. I doubt wanting to spend more time with loved ones could be used as valid reasoning.

[jimbo]

Thats what worries me nation that it may be only a month or so.

I've already left the country on two seperate day trips already since I got here last september and am worried that if I risk it again I won't be allowed back in.

I just need to buy a bit more time till I find a good job out here. If they say no then I have to head back to U.K for good.

[nation]

Did either of the two day trips create any suspicion with Immigration? Did they question you on reentry? I know that with certain cases where they are suspicious in addition to the notes they make against your name they stamp a red entry stamp rather than the traditional black one to act as a flagging for immigration to check further when you reenter next time.

I guess at the end of the day it's really about luck as to which immigration officer you get and how much checking they'll do. But it's not something you want to chance.

If all things fail you could consider going back to the UK for a couple months and then coming back. Admittedly that's not a practical option given the job situation but as long as you don't break immigration laws then going away for a reasonable period then coming back shouldn't prohibit your reentry.