[lemonade]

I have read a lot of the other threads on dependent visas as well as the HK immigration website and am now thoroughly confused.

We have a very straightforward situation - my husband is being transferred from Canada to Hong Kong at the end of October. His employer has advised that they will be commencing the application for his employment visa shortly. When he asked about us, they were rather cryptic and said that I would have to apply on my own and didn't provide any additional information.

I went to the HK Immigration website and wasn't able to locate anything that set out the process (am I just missing something very obvious?)

So, after reading all the threads and trying to find info on the HK Immigration website, I am left wondering how I get a dependent visa for me and my 2 year old daughter. I would love to hear from anyone who has applied recently and is in a similar situation. I am also curious if we should be demanding that my husband's employer deal with all the visas, not just my husband's. In particular:

1. Who applies - my husband's employer, my husband, me?

2. Timing - can the dependent visas be done at the same time as the employment visa or do you need the employment visa first and then the dependent visa?

3. Is it best to apply whilst in HK (enter as a visitor and then change?) OR apply whilst still in Canada?

4. We have to go to a wedding in India shortly after arriving in HK - can I enter initially, leave for the wedding in India for a week or so and then be assured of re-entry?

5. I have read that if you apply once you are already in HK that once you get your dependent visa you have to leave and re-enter - is this true?

6. How long can I expect the process to take?

Thanks!

[PDLM]

1. Legally your husband applies for his visa and his employer is his Sponsor. You and your daughter apply for your visas and your husband is your Sponsor.. The extent to which your husband's employer helps by managing the logistics of one or all three applications is a matter between your husband and his employer.

2. Yes - many people submit the applications together, although clearly your dependant's visas can only happen if your husband's employment visa is granted, so the processing by ImmD will be at least partly sequential.

3. There are Pros & Cons - you have to submit more paperwork if you apply whilst in Hong Kong since the rules state that you should in general do so before entering HK.

4. Yes - this won't be a problem. Obviously if you have your dependant visa by then (quite possible if you apply now for everything together and your husband's employer knows what they are doing and helps walk everything through the process. but even if you are here as a visitor there will be no problem exiting and re-entering.

5. I believe so, although this can be any time within the validity of your Visitor Visa, so it doesn't necessarily have to be immediately the Dependant Visa is granted. (Note that there is some disagreement on this point)

6. It depends on a number of factors including whether ImmD has all the paperwork it needs first time or has to come back and ask you for more, and whether your husband's employer knows what they are doing and pushes the process along. There are reports of Employment & Dependant Visas being issued within 2-3 weeks of ImmD first getting the applications, but if they ask for more paperwork and the applications are sequential then it could be 12 weeks or more between your husband's application being made and your Dependant Visa being received.

[back2HK]

Originally Posted by lemonade

His employer has advised that they will be commencing the application for his employment visa shortly. When he asked about us, they were rather cryptic and said that I would have to apply on my own and didn't provide any additional information.

Thanks!

I am afraid that your husband's employer's HR dept consists of ...........

Yes, everybody can apply together - employer sponsors him and he sponsors the rest. Its a fairly straight forward process. You may have to leave HK to convert your status, but the initial entry permit is valid for at least 3 months (extend able). Go and come back from Macau or Shenzen, if needed (short trip either way)..

Processing time used to be 4-6 weeks - may have changed depending on how busy they are.

Remember that HK Immigration is not out to get you. If you have valid papers, you will get it....

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by back2HK

the initial entry permit is valid for at least 3 months (extend able).

This depends on what passport you are holding. Visa exemptions can be anything from zero (visa required) to 6 months depending on your nationality.

[Pekkerhead]

Most visitors get 90 days, this includes Canadians. Only ones who get more than that are UK citizens (180).

A full list of tourist visa requirements are here:

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Pekkerhead

Most visitors get 90 days, this includes Canadians.

Well OK, but we have no information in this thread about the nationality of the OP - they are coming from Canada, but I moved here from Belgium and I'm not Belgian.

[Pekkerhead]

indeed, which is why I included the link.

[BEL]

My husband's employer gave us all the required forms for his employment visa and my dependant visa. We completed them and gathered the required paperwork and then gave them to HR to process / send to HK immigration.

If you complete all the forms, I don't see why your husband's company can't send them all off together? I guess your problem is they haven't given you all the forms to start with! Can your husband ask them about it, afterall he's relocating his family to HK for them!

[PDLM]

The required forms are all available on the Immigration Department website. The form for a Dependant is the same as the form for Employment (ID936) - you just fill in different sections and provide different supporting documents.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/evfhk.htm

[back2HK]

Originally Posted by PDLM

This depends on what passport you are holding. Visa exemptions can be anything from zero (visa required) to 6 months depending on your nationality.

Not what I was referring to. When you get your dependent visa sticker - you usually have 90 days to activate it. So, if you are already here, you don't have to travel out immediately....