Help

[travelhk]

Can anyone help here?

I have my visit visa application ready for HK (to be sent to HK Immigration Dept by courier) but I am facing difficulty in
getting a Bank Draft made in HK Dollars from banks in Pakistan against the visit visa fee as required by HK Immigration Dept. On prior visa applications, I use to make it from Standard Chartered Bank here but the service is not available now (they only issue USD, EUR, GPB and YEN drafts now).

The problem is HK Immigration Dept only accepts drafts or cheques in HK Dollars and drawn on local HK banks only. They do not accept Cash by courier, Credit Card or any other currency Drafts.

Can anyone help me if I send my application package with Cash in USD and authorization to submit/collect my visa and he/she kindly
forwards a local cheque of HK$160 (or Cash if presented in person) in favor of "The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" alongwith my application packet, then collects my visa and sends me through courier or registered air mail?

I will be much thankful for your help.

Omer

[KnowItAll]

Tried your HSBC?

Also, shouldnt your local chinese consulate be the point of contact?

[travelhk]

I called HSBC in Islamabad and they also can't make bank draft in HK Dollars due to regulations by the State Bank of Pakistan. The manager says they are authorized only four major curriences that is USD, GBP, EUR and YEN as any other bank. I even checked from Standard Chartered and they said we stopped making since one year due to regulations.

Chinese embassy processed HK Visa's till the end of 2004. Now all applications from Pakistan have to submitted by courier or air mail direct to HK Immigration Dept. In fact, two of my HK visas were issued by Chinese Embassy before Dec 2004 and later three by HK Immigration directly, when I was able to get the HK Dollar bank draft made here.

I shall be much obliged if anyone can help.

Its a kind of hassle now for HK travel. When I travel to USA, UK or Europe its so easier.

[HKChigger]

I called HSBC in Islamabad and they also can't make bank draft in HK Dollars due to regulations by the State Bank of Pakistan. The manager says they are authorized only four major curriences that is USD, GBP, EUR and YEN as any other bank. I even checked from Standard Chartered and they said we stopped making since one year due to regulations.

Chinese embassy processed HK Visa's till the end of 2004. Now all applications from Pakistan have to submitted by courier or air mail direct to HK Immigration Dept. In fact, two of my HK visas were issued by Chinese Embassy before Dec 2004 and later three by HK Immigration directly, when I was able to get the HK Dollar bank draft made here.

I shall be much obliged if anyone can help.

Its a kind of hassle now for HK travel. When I travel to USA, UK or Europe its so easier.

I have seen many Pakistani's here. Granted many are local or working here. But, I am positive some our tourists. There must be a way around it.

[travelhk]

Is it possible that I send any of the board members USD by Air Mail and he/she get a local bank draft in HK$160 made and sent to me by Air Mail Registered.

Then I will submit my application directly to HK Immigration as before through courier along with visa fee bank draft.

I think this will save time to go and submit the application.

Can anyone help this?

Omer

[carang]

why don't you email immigration and tell them of your problem and ask them if they can offer any solutions?

[travelhk]

I have already e-mailed them and they say we accept Demand Draft in HK Dollars only and drawn on local HK bank. No Cash, No Credit Card and No D/D in any other currency.

It really is strange that the place which is the symbol of being modern and efficient (like Octopus card) has no facility to accept payment with a different option.

[sarawesi]

Omer,
Your answers are here:

3706 China Resources Bldg.
26 Harbor Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel#: 28270295/28270245/28270681
Fax: 28276786
Email: pakconhk@netvigator.com

and Pakistan Consulate General in Hong Kong website:

http://www.pakconhk.com/index.htm

Sarawesi

[travelhk]

Sarawesi, Thanks for your effort.

Pakistan consulate in HK processes visa's for those who wish to visit Pakistan. They do not process HK visa's and they do not handle payments for HK Visa's or for anyone. It is not their job.

[sarawesi]

Oh dear!...sounds like a 'More than my job's worth' scenario. I would have thought they could at least have kindly advised you, on the grounds that so many other folks would have undoubtedly contacted them with the same situation as your goodself.