[jenifa]

This email has no purpose other than to let me rant - but if anyone has been in a similar situation and survived with their sanity intact I'd love to hear from you.

My hubby arranged in June transfer to an office in HK. At the start of August (at their request) we sent our Visa application forms to the HR department of the company so they can submit them to the Immigration dept on our behalf.

We heard nothing, despite him chasing them (the HR dept), until the end of August when they confirmed they had submitted the visa applications and we could expect to hear in 3- 6weeks (i.e. by mid Oct at the latest).

On the 18th of Sept hubby received an email copy of the contract letter and told that he needed to sign it as it need to be submitted it to the immigration dept. The same day he wrote back to the HR dept with a query about changing some of the conditions of the contract.

A *week* later, after several emails chasing up he received a response to say they couldn't change the conditions as everyone has the same terms. He said fine and immediately returned the scanned contract - this was on the 27th September.

A week later the contact at the HR dept emailed him to 'remind him' that she hadn't received his contract at that she was about to go on holiday. He resent the email again (I was copied into the original so I know it went) with several emails asking them to confirm they had received the contract. This was the 5th October.

Since then he has chased the HR dept several times to find out what the situation is and when we can expect a reply. By the end of last week the HR dept said the immigration department still hadn't even issued a reference number for the applications. (Bear in mind we were told they had been submitted at the end of August).

So today, after more chasing by hubby the HR dept say they Immigration Dept has now issued an application number for the visa - and we can expect it to take 2 to 3 WEEKS to get a reponse. We've already been waiting 6 weeks since it was originally submitted and 10 weeks since we supplied the forms to his office.

We are due to exchange contracts on the sale of our London home on Monday- so you can imagine we're pretty desperate to hear. Plus we had to book flights and accomdation some time ago (we're due to fly out on the 3rd November).

So I'm now pretty much on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I don't think any of this is the fault of the Immigration Dept, it's just his office is being ridiculously unhelpful, and as much as I really want to move back to HK, frankly if that's how his office is I'm not sure I want him to work with them.

Thanks for reading. If anyone knows any tips for getting the applications fast-tracked through Immigration I'd be grateful to hear it. Otherwise come the 30th of Oct I am going to be both homeless and unemployed. Great.

Jen

[KnowItAll]

Ok, so the rant is about the HR department and technically not the immigration department.

There is some amount of flexibility in Hong Kong.. which tends to be far more efficient than *any* other country I can think of, specially EU / North American immigration departments.

The receipt of the visa application should have a case number and a fax / phone number.

I would recommend two things 1) email the immigration department at enquiry@immd.gov.hk and plead your case out with them.. they listen and 2) make sure you fax the immigration department on the fax number associated with your case.

If possible get the HR department to issue a letter pleading your case, saying you're required to be in HK on ASAP due to business reasons -- typically something like a client contract or a time sensitive issue. We know several companies that are able to plead their case effectivly and get visas issued within days.

I would also recommend escalating the hardship issues to your HR department and the senior most person in your husband's business / department -- to make sure they know you're going to suffer a fair bit of hardship due to the delays which is their fault and request that they figure out a way to compensate you.

P.S: Again, if you think 4-6 weeks is long .. consider how tedious an H1 application in the US is ... and possibly a similar work visa application to your country.

[KnowItAll]

By the way, you can still move here ... your husband will not be able to work legally... or atleast get paid here. He can (I think..) work on assignment from the overseas office and get paid there.. until his HK visa is issued.

[hong kong]

Originally Posted by jenifa

This email has no purpose other than to let me rant - but if anyone has been in a similar situation and survived with their sanity intact I'd love to hear from you.

My hubby arranged in June transfer to an office in HK. At the start of August (at their request) we sent our Visa application forms to the HR department of the company so they can submit them to the Immigration dept on our behalf.

We heard nothing, despite him chasing them (the HR dept), until the end of August when they confirmed they had submitted the visa applications and we could expect to hear in 3- 6weeks (i.e. by mid Oct at the latest).

On the 18th of Sept hubby received an email copy of the contract letter and told that he needed to sign it as it need to be submitted it to the immigration dept. The same day he wrote back to the HR dept with a query about changing some of the conditions of the contract.

A *week* later, after several emails chasing up he received a response to say they couldn't change the conditions as everyone has the same terms. He said fine and immediately returned the scanned contract - this was on the 27th September.

A week later the contact at the HR dept emailed him to 'remind him' that she hadn't received his contract at that she was about to go on holiday. He resent the email again (I was copied into the original so I know it went) with several emails asking them to confirm they had received the contract. This was the 5th October.

Since then he has chased the HR dept several times to find out what the situation is and when we can expect a reply. By the end of last week the HR dept said the immigration department still hadn't even issued a reference number for the applications. (Bear in mind we were told they had been submitted at the end of August).

So today, after more chasing by hubby the HR dept say they Immigration Dept has now issued an application number for the visa - and we can expect it to take 2 to 3 WEEKS to get a reponse. We've already been waiting 6 weeks since it was originally submitted and 10 weeks since we supplied the forms to his office.

We are due to exchange contracts on the sale of our London home on Monday- so you can imagine we're pretty desperate to hear. Plus we had to book flights and accomdation some time ago (we're due to fly out on the 3rd November).

So I'm now pretty much on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I don't think any of this is the fault of the Immigration Dept, it's just his office is being ridiculously unhelpful, and as much as I really want to move back to HK, frankly if that's how his office is I'm not sure I want him to work with them.

Thanks for reading. If anyone knows any tips for getting the applications fast-tracked through Immigration I'd be grateful to hear it. Otherwise come the 30th of Oct I am going to be both homeless and unemployed. Great.

Jen

dont worry after weeks they will sen d u letter to go imm dept to take your visa i think somethink wron g was your employer

[jenifa]

Thanks Knowitall, I suppose I'm a bit nervous of pestering the Immigration Department in case they get fed up and refuse our visas just for being annoying!

Fortunately someone else in his company is looking into this now and is suggesting getting him over as a consultant on a 3 month business visa - which should at least get us over, whilst we wait for the other visa's to come through. Though I'm not sure whether he is eligible for an ID card if he is on an business visa (my guess is no), and if he has no id card I'd have thought that meant we can't rent anywhere, so we'd be in a hotel for 3 months.

Has anyone been over on a business visa - what are the restrictions? Are you essentially a tourist who is allowed to earn money? (But presumambly not allowed to open a bank account etc etc...)

Jen

[back2HK]

Jenifa.. You can stay in a service apartment for 3 months. Not ideal, but better than a hotel. You better start the procees, because service apts are pretty full now. You can definitely open a bank account in HK with your passport. The company can give a letter of introduction. Many bank account holders in HK have no relationship with HK whatsoever.

There is a pain value towards getting a mobile etc, but you can do with a prepaid card or a deposit till you can do address proof etc.

This place has many negatives, but inefficiency is not one of them.

Good Luck..

[HKChigger]

back2HK I was denied a bank acct with BOC today as my proof of address was not good enough. (I had a netvigator application contract and the document signed saying netvigator was installed) Just having passport could be a little bit of a problem.

Has anyone been over on a business visa - what are the restrictions? Are you essentially a tourist who is allowed to earn money? (But presumambly not allowed to open a bank account etc etc...)

Business Visa is THE EXACT SAME THING as a Tourist Visa. Basicly you enter as a tourist and there are some things you can do for business. This includes training, seminars, meetings, and I think there may be a few other things. You cannot be paid in HK though. You must be paid in your country.

[sunniefaith]

I know someone who managed to get her visa within 5 days. It is possible with immigration as long as the company produces some form of letter and make some calls. Well, if there's any comfort for you, my application took about 8 weeks.

[back2HK]

Originally Posted by HKChigger

back2HK I was denied a bank acct with BOC today as my proof of address was not good enough. (I had a netvigator application contract and the document signed saying netvigator was installed) Just having passport could be a little bit of a problem.

HKChigger - sorry that you had to face it. Banks have to "know their clients" thanks to all the regulations. I did not mean just a passport, but a passport plus introduction from other account holders and/or the employer.

[auss]

I am currently awaiting my visa application to be approved as well. Im also flying on 3rd November from Australia.

I have lived in Hong Kong before for 5 years but i was on a dependant visa that time.

To be honest i think all HR departments are a waste of time.

the Advantage i had was my boss in Hong Kong is my old boss and friend from the last time i was in Hong Kong.

So every email i sent to the HR department i copied to him and when they became stupid i emailed and phoned him and he corrected them straight away.

it was still painful to get things done especially when you say in an email that something is not required so 2 days later you get an email asking to fax it instead.

anyways the application is in now and has been for a couple of weeks so i just hope it is earlier of the 3 to 6 week wait.