[guiguitche]

I spent too many days in HK...Last w-e when I come back in town from a trip, the customs stopped me and gave me 7 days before leaving.I have to leave on next monday.....the 21th.

They said that they can extend it for a while, since I will prove that I am seeking for a job (I do).

I have several interviews planned on the next coming 2 weeks, and It doesn t make sens to me, to leave the country if I can finally get a job.


who has been in this case or heard about this case ?
Which delay can I expect from the immigration on my current visa (7 days) since I prove them that I will have some interviews ?

It's case by case I know, but previous stories could help me a bit.

thks a lot.

[jimbo]

Ummm you're not meant to be looking for work whilst on a tourist visa and you are certainly advised against telling them that.

If you need sponsorship which you clearly do then it'll be another 4-6 weeks on top of a firm job offer till one is granted, my advice is to try and bring forward any interviews and then go back 'home' whilst waiting for a response.

You can't do another visa run and theres no way you'd get an extension if you tell them you have interviews coming up.

[Alby]

See answers in PURPLE

Originally Posted by guiguitche

I spent too many days in HK...Last w-e when I come back in town from a trip, the customs stopped me and gave me 7 days before leaving.I have to leave on next monday.....the 21th.

They said that they can extend it for a while, since I will prove that I am seeking for a job (I do).

It is like how JIMBO stated ... illegal to be looking for a "job" whilst on a "tourist visa" & not advise to EVER tell immigration of this if you are in fact looking for a job --- may be a fact of why you have been given just a 7-day visa. Now, most likely there is documentation in an immigration file too ... linked to your passport #

I have several interviews planned on the next coming 2 weeks, and It doesn t make sens to me, to leave the country if I can finally get a job.

Turn around time varies by company & the company's need. If they need you immediately to fill a gap 'technically' it will take the company approx. 6 weeks to process a working visa for you if they can in fact demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a permanent resident.

who has been in this case or heard about this case ?

This situation is well documented here on the GEOEXPAT

Which delay can I expect from the immigration on my current visa (7 days) since I prove them that I will have some interviews ?

I would not provide them with evidence of interviews pending or been had .... again reason being bc it is ILLEGAL - AGAINST THE LAW to be interviewing or job seeking when on tourist visa. You RISK deportation and not ever allowed to return to HK

It's case by case I know, but previous stories could help me a bit.

"Case by Case" - yes but you should truly understand the terms of your visa.

thks a lot.

Nevertheless, Best of Luck and if you succeed plz let us know.

[PDLM]

I'm not sure it's quite like that. Presumably it is perfectly OK to apply for a job from outside Hong Kong and then to be invited to Hong Kong for an interview. In that case you would enter on a visitor's visa. Unless people are prepared to recruit without meeting someone face-to-face then how else could it be?

What clearly isn't OK is to arrive to look for a job without any specific invitations for interview.

[Alby]

Originally Posted by PDLM

What clearly isn't OK is to arrive to look for a job without any specific invitations for interview.

PDLM is always reliable for clarity

Yes my post was based on the assumption of the aforesaid quotation.

However, PDLM possibly more insight can be given .... assuming .... one comes to HK for an interview is it safe to assume that one should leave HK and return to their home to await the decision on whether one's candidacy was in fact successful?

After all the visa process can be done from one's home and not really necessary for one to remain in Hong Kong.

Enlighten please.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by PDLM

I'm not sure it's quite like that. Presumably it is perfectly OK to apply for a job from outside Hong Kong and then to be invited to Hong Kong for an interview. In that case you would enter on a visitor's visa. Unless people are prepared to recruit without meeting someone face-to-face then how else could it be?

What clearly isn't OK is to arrive to look for a job without any specific invitations for interview.

Yes to the first part if you already have interviews arranged/lined up before entering hk on a tourist visa thats fine, But I still wouldn't tell immigration that you're here for interviews.

But to come into HK to specifically job hunt with no contacts/interviews lined up is a big no no. Heavily frowned upon and yes you will be marked on your passport that you're doing this thus no chance of an extension ever, This happened to me 2 years ago.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Alby

However, PDLM possibly more insight can be given .... assuming .... one comes to HK for an interview is it safe to assume that one should leave HK and return to their home to await the decision on whether one's candidacy was in fact successful?

After all the visa process can be done from one's home and not really necessary for one to remain in Hong Kong.

I don't have any official line on any of this - I'm just saying what I have observed over the last decade and what I can conclude from that. I think it would be perfectly OK to come to HK for a pre-arranged interview and then to stay around for a while having a look at the place to decide whether it is somewhere you would want to work and so on. But only within the limit of you visitor visa. I wouldn't recommend going in and out to get an extension, and yes I would say go home and make the visa application from there if you are offered the job.

The situation is rather different of course if you are on an internal company transfer (which is what I did). Then of course I could legitimately be in Hong Kong for other business on my visitor visa while the negotiations were going on. In fact in my case I had an apartment (company lease) and a HK address on my business card weeks before I had an employment visa! But I was out of Hong Kong on business more than I was in, and I can own up to this now because I'm PR and they can't throw me out any more!

[guiguitche]

Thanks guys for your replies ...but u scary me a bit !

the point is...that I am not allowed to stay in HK after the 21th of april, and only allowed to come back on the territory IF i have a good reason to be here (jobs interviews, flight connection, return ticket to somewhere) Without any prove, absolutly no right to pass the border.

then, and apparently as you are not allowed seeking for a job from HK, should I leave the counttry (ex: shenzhen ) and come back at the custom with prove of interviews, instead going to the Immigration tower in wanchai and request a delay on my 7 days visa ?

[jimbo]

Ummm no, you have been given a 7 day extension already and you might not be allowed back in on a visa run, As what reason would you have for coming back to HK? Job searching/interviews is not a valid reason thus thats out of the question and your passport is probably now marked thus if you did a visa run you may well get turned away.

[guiguitche]

it sounds pretty bad isn t it ?

then it seems that I have no choice to go back home or what ?