work visa expires while i'm away on holiday...

[mobespierre]

ok so i'm going to be out of hong kong for a month, and my work visa needs to be renewed. the next available appointment with immigration is not until a week after i'm gone, and my visa will expire 2 days before i get back!!

um... is there any lee-way on visa expiration/extension? will they not allow me 2 days? it's my fault for not trying to get an appointment sooner, but gah i don't know what to do. please advise!

[hullexile]

When I renewed mine I just went to Immig Tower and did it there and then, do you really need an interview time?

[hello_there]

Um, your problem is for more than just two days. You can't legally work when you get back without your visa extension, which can take a week or so (or more) to process. You can try going to immigration right when they open in the morning to speak with them about processing your renewal without an appointment. Bring all the completed paperwork with you. Whether or not they will see you will depend on the particular immigration officer(s) and the mood they're in. Its worth a try anyway. Also, I don't remember if they need to keep your passport until the extension is processed but that could be a problem if you are leaving soon. Good luck.

[PDLM]

I've never made appointments for any business at ImmD - always just turn up and I get to see someone within 15-20 minutes normally. I've noticed that Saturday morning seems to be quite a quiet time.

[geo-seb]

the next available appointment with immigration is not until a week after i'm gone, and my visa will expire 2 days before i get back!!

I assume you went to one of the branch offices of the immigration department and not to the main office in Wan Chai. The branch offices (especially the one in Fo Tan) are nothing but trouble in my experience. The last time I tried to renew my visa I went to Fo Tan and was in a similar situation like you. I was told that it is impossible to renew the visa until a few days before it expires. The next day I went to the main office in Wan Chai and it was no problem to apply for the extension right away...

[mobespierre]

Um, your problem is for more than just two days. You can't legally work when you get back without your visa extension, which can take a week or so (or more) to process. You can try going to immigration right when they open in the morning to speak with them about processing your renewal without an appointment. Bring all the completed paperwork with you. Whether or not they will see you will depend on the particular immigration officer(s) and the mood they're in. Its worth a try anyway. Also, I don't remember if they need to keep your passport until the extension is processed but that could be a problem if you are leaving soon. Good luck.

ack!! if that is the case i'd be better off just letting it expire and being a jerk and having my company submit a new application for me eh....

[PDLM]

Or being less of a jerk and just wandering down to ImmD in Wanchai and getting it done within an hour or so on the spot. The form you need is on the ImmD website and you simply need a letter from your employer saying that your employment continues as per the original application.

[mobespierre]

ok i totally freaked out about nothing. i don't know why i was under the impression i had to have an appointment and some big process.... i just went there and it took about 30 minutes. i feel silly.

thanks for the input though everyone!