[TOOTS]

Airay

I second that, yes you can enter on a tourist visa then process your dependant while you're here. I paid $135 HKD for the new visa sticker in my passport, but I did not have to re-enter HKG as stated above, you just carry on as normal.

The main difference I discovered between the dependant and tourist visa, is that for a UK citizern you get the normal 180 days tourist visa, but when they give you the dependant visa they gave me a visa for a year ( I don't know if this is different on an individual basis) plus I had to apply for the HKID card as I am to be in HKG for longer than 180 days. But you cannot work on this visa, if you want to work, you'll still have to get sponsorship from an employer to convert dependant to a working visa. I hope this clarifies things.

Cheers
Toots

[nivantj]

Originally Posted by TOOTS

Airay
for a UK citizern you get the normal 180 days tourist visa, but when they give you the dependant visa they gave me a visa for a year ( I don't know if this is different on an individual basis) plus I had to apply for the HKID card as I am to be in HKG for longer than 180 days.

Usually all dependants initially get 1 yr visa and then follow 3 + 3 pattern for dependants of permanent sponsor and sponsor's pattern for dependants of non-permanent (i.e. Employment Visa).
Applying for HKID has nothing to do with staying longer than 180 days. Every citizen with valid visa status except 'Tourist' has to apply HKID. On the other hand, Tourists can stay more than 180 days without HKID....

[mercury_element]

hey,
i m here on dependends visa.... and ya, this is normally the case with everyone...
i came here on tourist's visa for 14 days, and then applied for dependents visa....but in my case it took more 6 weeks.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by TOOTS

I second that, yes you can enter on a tourist visa then process your dependant while you're here. I paid $135 HKD for the new visa sticker in my passport, but I did not have to re-enter HKG as stated above, you just carry on as normal.

Unfortunately this is incorrect. You do need to leave and re-enter HK. Until the Visa is stamped "Journey Completed" it isn't valid. When it is stamped immigration will also write the dates of validation in your passport. This is a common misconception here and if it isn't validated within a certain period it becomes null and void and you have to reapply again! Having the Visa sticker in your passport does not mean you have dependant status until it is stamped.

My dependant visa took about 5 weeks to process, but then again I am married to a HK PR so suppose it takes a bit longer to go through the hoops as this gives me a right to work as well.

[crerars]

My husband has just been told his working visa is ready (but not yet collected). We and our 2 children are arriving August 25. I guess our 3 dependant visas are unlikely to be ready.
When you say we need to reenter, where might we reenter from? (Australia is too far - time on planes and cost of tickets for 3 of us)

[PDLM]

Macau or mainland China (Shenzhen) will be fine.

[crerars]

Thankyou PDLM

[airay]

mine took 3 weeks.

[nivantj]

Originally Posted by crerars

My husband has just been told his working visa is ready (but not yet collected). We and our 2 children are arriving August 25. I guess our 3 dependant visas are unlikely to be ready.
When you say we need to reenter, where might we reenter from?

Wait a minute...Am i gettint it correct!!!! If your husband's visa is ready, couldnt he ask the company to get it stamped on his passport before entering HK on 25 Aug, thus avoiding the need to reenter!!!!. Secondly, If you and kids are entering HK on Visitor visa, as you said, Are dependants required to reenter!! Isnt it simply a change of status!! Empl Visa holders, Pls throw some lights..

[crerars]

Originally Posted by nivantj

Wait a minute...Am i gettint it correct!!!! If your husband's visa is ready, couldnt he ask the company to get it stamped on his passport before entering HK on 25 Aug, thus avoiding the need to reenter!!!!. Secondly, If you and kids are entering HK on Visitor visa, as you said, Are dependants required to reenter!! Isnt it simply a change of status!! Empl Visa holders, Pls throw some lights..

"husband's visa is ready, couldnt he ask the company to get it stamped on his passport before entering HK on 25 Aug" - Hmmm , I think that given his passport is here .... I guess if it's a stick on they will mail it. Any clues?

"Secondly, If you and kids are entering HK on Visitor visa, as you said, Are dependants required to reenter" - I think this got answered higher up the thread... JayKay sounded pretty definitive.

I was trying to figure out how to lodge our dependant applications before we arrive - the immigration dept website directs me to the Chinese embassy here, and after a trying experience with their telephone answering system I eventually spoke to someone who said I should talk to the immigration dept... - anyway I'm not now planning to try and lodge it at the Chinese Embassy. Any fab suggestions ? or will it be better to haunt the immigration dept building after we arrive and then go visit Macau? Does anyone know how long the 'certain period' that JayKay mentions might be?