current as of: December 08, 2006
Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The PRC
7th Floor, Lower Block, 26 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: ++852-25851657 OR ++852-25851680 OR ++852-25851794
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday
Teachers requiring to visit Hong Kong to update their visa status should read this information in full. This information is provided for teachers seeking to obtain their Z-visa status in Hong Kong. Z-visas are good for thirty days of entry and your school must complete the formal residence permit applications within 30-days of your arrival back to the mainland.
Teachers arriving to Hong Kong on L or F visas should mind that they depart mainland China before their current visa expires. Failure to depart mainland China before your visa expires will result in fines needing to be paid to the border agents in the sum of 500 RMB per day up to a maximum of 5,000 RMB. There is usually no reduction in this fee.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Your Chinese Mainland China Mobile Phone will not work in Hong Kong. You can buy temp HK SIMS at train stations and airport when you arrive. Changing Money in HK - there are many people you will find on the street to exchange your money. Avoid the risk of being given counterfeit money and exchange your money at kiosks or at banks that specialize in this service. TravelEx can be found in most airports and train stations and you can usually use your domestic credit cards and debit cards in Honk Kong ATMs.
Check your passport:
You need to have visa pages available in your passport otherwise they will not issue the visa. If you do not have any free visa pages in your passport you can contact the US Embassy at the information below.
U.S consulate phone numbers to get new visa pages
Hong Kong office - 2841 - 2211
Guangzhou office - 8620 8518 7605
Visa Requirements:
It is a good idea to make a photocopy of your passport data page while they are processing your visa in Hong Kong. Keep the photo copy with you at all times. It is important to note that the Hong Kong visa office only accepts original invitation letters and documents. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT COPIES OF INVITATION LETTERS SO DO NOT EVEN TRY TO USE COPIES.
1. Passport (Original, and valid for at least six-months beyond your expected departure)
2. SAFEA invitation document (Original) Click on link to view what document looks like.
3. Government Invitation Document (Original) Click on link to view what document looks like.
4. Two Visa Size Photos (2x2)
5. Completed Visa Application Form with Photo Attached (Q1)
Planning your Hong Kong Trip
Lunch or Dinner is approximately 50 HKD/Per Meal, bottled water is 10 HKD. Bring Chinese cigs, bottled water and snacks if your tight on cash. Bars are VERY expensive.. Budget your money wisely.
Places to Stay (Google these places for updated information and rates.)
Mt David Youth Hostel over in HK Island,
Victoria Road, Mt. Davis (Western District). Shuttle buses take you from the
Shuntak Centre in Sheungwan to the guesthouse for free. The Chinese Visa Office
is a 15 minute tramride from there in WANCHAI. The tram costs 2 HK kuais a ride.
Dorm beds: 95, doubles: 240 *Best Choice*
No. 44-54, Nathan Rd., Chungking Mansions, a complex of high-rises next to the Holiday Inn hotel in Tsimshatsui. You can walk there from the Star Ferry Pier or the KCR terminus within 10 minutes. Minimum privacy and maximum exposure to the international backpacker jetset.
Mirador Tower, a block north of the Chungking Mansions; guesthouses can be found from floor 3 on. The 3rd floor is an Indian-owned guesthouse that has dorm beds for HK 50 and doubles for 160 HKD.
1/F, Alpha House, Tsimshatsui in Kowloon, 27 Nathan Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon (Nathan rd. & Peking) very crowded and overrun by pickpockets and shysters of all nationalities. Tel: 2315 7106 working hours: 09:00a.m.-17:00p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
Anne Black Guest House - YWCA, Is a more pricey option at $800 HKD Per night.
5 Man Fuk Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel : (852) 2713 9211 http://hotel.ywca.org.hk/eng/AnneBlack/anne_location.htm