[Beth Danae]

Sleuth - you have been abroad for too long. You're using words like 'whilst' and asking why passports aren't bigger?

Trying getting more people to even own one, and of those that do - using it for more than what they've decided can only be a once in a lifetime vacation...

[HKfornow]

Alby
Did you have a 1-year visa issued from the US prior to coming to HK? That might be the key, I had 2 from the US before, and they approved 1 last year from here (after I've gone through some single & double entry stuff, will try my luck again next month for a 1-year.

Sleuth, You can always go to the US embassy and apply for amended pages(more pages) hubby has done it 3 times already, so his passport is rather thick (before e-channel everytime he went in/out of HK, the HK govt use 3 diff stamps, so it got filled out fast). As for the cost, I paid $2,340 for myself & my son last year. . . but that might have changed now. per http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t334452.htm " According to the instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, starting from Aug. 1, 2007, visa fee for U.S. citizen will be adjusted on reciprocal basis . The details are as follows:
1. No matter of the number of entries, visa fee for the individual applicant will be $100 per person." That sounds cheaper than what I paid last year.

[climber07]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

(And does anyone know why passports are so small? Both in terms of length and width as well as number of pages?)

US Passport books are originally issued in two varieties: 24 pages and 48 pages. If so desired, a larger size should be requested at the time of the application.

However, as the previous poster mentions above, additional pages can be easily added in the US Consulate (and many passports become a size of a small novel before their 10 year validity runs out.)

[Sleuth]

Even with the added pages--and I was told they will only do that a couple of times--my 10 year passport will be lucky to last 2 years. Now if they will stick in pages over and over, that would be nice.

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by Sheli

I just got a 1 year visa.

How long do they keep your US passport? Or, put another way, how long to get the one year (or 6 month, for that matter) visa?

Beth Danae--I am a definitely a language thief. And I force my wife into doind the same--or at least undestanding me.
And everyone back home needs one now because of the new rules for Mexico, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean. But the once-in-a-lifetimer can keep it as a souvenir; it looks so much nicer now.

[Alby]

HKfornow -
No I haven't --- should try to get the next one issued from the USA as I agree it must be the key

Sleuth -
My previous passport (exp. 6/2006) - had up to 6 sets of new pages added.

Although, the rules have changed so much these past few years I would not be surprised if they will only do so many times. Possibly it is like the China visa thing in Wan Chai - depends on who you get at the counter at the consulate whether or not they will do it for you - plus the place...Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou

[Sleuth]

Six sets of pages would be nice! My 10 year passport would last more than 2 years that way.

[Sleuth]

How many days is it taking to get this multi-entry (6 month or one year) visa?
Any tricks to easing the experience?
For instance, to get an India visa, show up before the office opens and wait otherwise the line might be down the hallway. Also, I remember the line I needed to be in for the India visa was the right hand window; the long line stretching back to the elevators was for the middle window and I didn't need to waste all that time standing there.

[HKfornow]

Typically, I believe it takes 3-4 working days for the visa to be issued, however, if you need it sooner, they will be happy to oblige you with a fee.

I try to go before they open also, and the line starts outside, then after they let you in the building, you go through security check (do not bring big bags, as they will ask you to leave it outside). You then go up elevator, (7th floor?), then get a number & application form from the security guard, and wait for them to call your #. After your interview, they will tell you when you can pick up visa and what fees you will pay at that time.

To pick up. There is only one window to pick up visas & pay fee. So you go through the same procedure getting in, except after you get to the 7th floor, you don't get a number, you go straight to the window for pick up and queue there.

Hope this helps.

[redwriter]

HKfornow, how long does it take to get US passport renewed? My passpost expired three months ago, June, and I forgot to renew it. Will there be any problems, or trouble? My HK visa also expired. Help!