[pokka]

Hi All,

I currently hold an oz passport and will be flying into HK around 21st Feb with a one-way ticket.

My future employer is currently submitting my work visa application on my behalf (forms were submitted today)

Given that it takes on average 4+ weeks to process the paperwork....do you think I will encounter any issues on entry to HK?

Is it painless for my work visa app to go through whilst I'm in HK? or will I need to be out of HK for it to be approved?

thanks!

[saltwater]

Normally if you don't have a work visa you need an onward ticket before they'll let you into HK. They'll stamp you through for a standard three month holiday visa - which means you shouldn't be working until your work Visa is approved. When your work Visa is approved you need to go out of HK and come back in (think day trip to Macau) to 'activate' your work visa.

Speaking from experience they say 4-6 weeks to get the Visa approved, but if you're working with immigration lawyers and have all the necessary docs they can turn it around in less than two weeks.

[PDLM]

Has anyone here actually ever personally been asked for their onward ticket by HK Immigration? I don't know anyone who has.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by PDLM

Has anyone here actually ever personally been asked for their onward ticket by HK Immigration? I don't know anyone who has.

Nope never been asked at all.

[hbrand]

Nope you never get asked, I came from Oz on a one-way ticket too. Wouldn't worry about it at all.

[JAherbert]

> When your work Visa is approved you need to go out of HK
> and come back in (think day trip to Macau) to 'activate' your
> work visa.

Correction that is just a myth.........

Once the application is approved by Immigration dept., and you have paid the $135 fee the visa is "active". There is no requirement to leave Hong Kong. The newest latest visa supersedes previous conditions of stay.

[saltwater]

Dammit... it was still a good excuse to go gamble for a day in Macau though!

[pokka]

thanks for all of your replies so far.

JAherbert: is there any way I can check that this is fact? I've also heard from other sources about having to exit and re-enter HK to activate the visa.

saltwater: I was looking forward to the food from a day trip in macau....heard there is a real famous 'pork chop bun' (?) place that ppl line up for!

[timklip]

JA is right...no need to exit and re-enter to activate your visa. My personal experience as well.

[PDLM]

That was my experience too. No need to exit/re-enter.