Buying a Visa in Hong Kong

[AndrewH]

Just wondering, apart from the embassy, which travel agents in Kowloon have people here used for applying for an L visa?

[lingujay]

Just dug up this old post since I may have to go to Hong Kong at some point as well so was wondering if anybody has been there recently and took advantage of any visa agency.

Cheers.

[anticuti_sydney]

I'm not sure what is the L visa. but I got a tourist visa through 中国旅行社 in HK 2 yrs ago to go to mainland China. The main one where I did mine was in Central.
Apparently it has more power and services than the other travel agencies.

http://www.ctshk.com/english/aboutus/local.htm

[ray]

I'm with anticuti_sydney (I think).

CTS in Seoul was able to get me a China visa during the 2008 Olympic Visa Debacle when all the other visa agencies were saying "no way".  And the guest house I stayed at was full of angry Europeans waiting for the Olympics to be over so they could get a visa through the better known travel agencies.

I'm not sure they have more "power", but they did seem to have influence that the others didn't.  I suspect it's the same in HK, though I've never tried them there.

[lingujay]

Ray, from a friend who's been to Korea quite often in the past year, I heard that it's pretty impossible for any foreigner to get a Chinese visa extension unless you have a Korean residence permit.

Anticuti, thanks for the link. An L visa is a tourist visa usually issued for one month. Explanations on this can be found at following link: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa.htm

What about getting a business visa done in Hong Kong. Anybody every done that in the past year?

[ray]

Ray, from a friend who's been to Korea quite often in the past year, I heard that it's pretty impossible for any foreigner to get a Chinese visa extension unless you have a Korean residence permit.

I was told the same by several visa agencies in Seoul during the Olympic Visa Debacle.  They all said I'd have to go to my home country to get a visa if I didn't have a Korean residence permit.   All the angry Europeans in my guest house said the same.  

Went to CTS.  Problem solved.  

I haven't needed a visa trip to Seoul since the Olympics so I can't say what would happen this year.  I just know that back in 2008, they got me a visa when everyone else I tried said they couldn't.

If those friends didn't try CTS, they may have given up too easily.  And no, I have no affiliation with CTS.  I just appreciate problem solvers.

FYI, counting on the information posted on any website, even official websites, can be a recipe for disappointment.  The rules change often enough that the websites are often out of date.  And application of the "rules" seems to vary from place to place and even by circumstance.  The websites are a good place to start but often not the authoritative answer.

If you want to get an amused (yet irritated) reaction from a consular employee, just try to insist they abide by their website's information.  It's only funny looking back..... not funny when it happened.

[AndrewH]

Ray, from a friend who's been to Korea quite often in the past year, I heard that it's pretty impossible for any foreigner to get a Chinese visa extension unless you have a Korean residence permit.

Anticuti, thanks for the link. An L visa is a tourist visa usually issued for one month. Explanations on this can be found at following link: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa.htm

What about getting a business visa done in Hong Kong. Anybody every done that in the past year?

You may have to return home for a new business 'Z' visa. I think you have a residence permit anyway, so you're all set !

[lingujay]

Ray, from a friend who's been to Korea quite often in the past year, I heard that it's pretty impossible for any foreigner to get a Chinese visa extension unless you have a Korean residence permit.

You may have to return home for a new business 'Z' visa. I think you have a residence permit anyway, so you're all set !

Andrew, I think you're somewhat confusing the matter. I'm not Korean and do not hold a Korean residence permit. Either way, Hong Kong would seem to be an easier place to get around than Seoul in terms of communication.

[AndrewH]

OK, sorry, so I mixed you up with someone else.  I also did not mention that you should go to Korea.
Of course for a tourist/family visa, HK will be fine. There is also the Chinese Embassy there, but appications take longer.

[Skåne]

There is a fairly new Visa Office in Tianjin, Admin has the link to it. No need to go abroad to extend a business visa. To take time of work and pay trip top Hong Kong or other coutry, you will end up paying about the same money. Ask Admin as I can not find the link right now

[ray]

There is a fairly new Visa Office in Tianjin, Admin has the link to it. w

Skane,  is that a commercial visa service or an official PSB "foreigner's documents" office?

[AndrewH]

I don't think a 'Z' visa and a residence permit are the same thing.

[Admin]

Anyone know if the office you go to for processing visas in Hong Kong is still the same? Will need to do so in about a week.

[petermorris]

Yes Nathan. Everything is the same. I was there in December. If you go first thing in the morning you will need to line up outside. There will be a long line but don't worry. By the time you get through security and upstairs the wait will be quite short. The agents move really fast when taking your documents. Like I said if you arrive early you can pick up your visa the next business day in the AM. I was quite impressed with their service compared to any other visa office I have been to in Canada or Tianjin. Good Luck to you!

[Admin]

I should clarify: Were you referring to the CTS office mentioned here or the main immigration office on Hong Kong island, (I think it is near Wanchai or Central)?