|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 9:16:21 GMT 7
I leave on 23rd of August. My visa application is sitting here ready (it's 3am, though haha) and I was under the impression I could post it, but I need to do it through a travel agent.
It's tuesday now and if they can't promise me the passport/visa back by Saturday, then what can I do? Is it possible for me to apply and get the visa back the same day in Hong Kong?
Damn, I've left this too late. I thought that entering Hong Kong would be ok (at least for Brits) in which I could apply for a visa but speaking to Missi on MSN, we're not sure if that would be ok.
So, say they can't get me the Visa back by Saturday, what can I do? Arghhhh, so much stress and so much more to do!
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 9:20:18 GMT 7
Yes, it is if you pay for it, no problem. I think overnight is standard, so you can do that too.
It is also possible to go to the embassy and have them do it in a day in your own country and pay, then pick it up yourself.
I have done all the above, admitttedly for tourist visas, but that makes no difference.
Chinese Embassies seem to be only open from about 10am to about 11am though for some reason.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 9:20:22 GMT 7
Here is the Hong Kong Visa page for the British Chinese Embassy. www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/lsyw/qzxx/t27093.htmIt says I'll need a visa for some things, but it doesn't mention tourism/leisure. So... I'm guessing it's ok if I just turn up and apply when I arrive. If I have to. |
|
|
|
Post by George61 on Aug 15, 2006 9:21:15 GMT 7
How far from the Chinese Embassy are you?? They can do same day service in Melbourne...for an extra fee, of course.....so probably in England too.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 9:21:42 GMT 7
So, I might have to pay for a hotel for the night in Hong Kong. Great.  Is the cost for the visa the same in Hong Kong? The Embassy is in London, so travelling there is just not possible as I'm in the north of England. I'll pay for the same-day service, but postage is the trouble. It may take too long. |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 9:38:52 GMT 7
try same day courier too, for your own country.
Yes, I understand the visa fee is the same in all legal cases, just different currency and rounded off.
I seem to remember a 3 hour service in HK.
Or where do you fly out of? At what time? get it done in London then pick it up as you fly out, if it's from London.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 9:46:51 GMT 7
I fly from the north of England too, Manchester. I have found a company online who may be able to help me out. It costs a bit more, £70 instead of £45... but that is lots cheaper than having to spend a night in Hong Kong. I'll phone the travel agent tomorrow and if they can't help, I'll phone this company who may be able to help. If that all fails, I'll have to spend a night in Hong Kong and apply the morning after. Stress! |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 10:02:21 GMT 7
If you have to stay in HK I can tell you a reasonably priced hotel - HK is expensive but. It is about 500 per night HK$ I think. There was a cheaper one a few doors down, 380 a night. Both in Yau Ma Tei, quite convenient.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 11:00:59 GMT 7
Well, depending on what happens later today, I'll get back to you. Thanks.
Nothing's gonna stop me arriving.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 11:35:13 GMT 7
I can probably find the email booking address too. I would use it - last time the cheap ones were full.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 11:56:29 GMT 7
Right, I've just worked this out... It's Tuesday today, and I leave in exactly one week. Tuesday 22nd August at 10:20am. That gives me up until Monday to receive mail.
If I get the travel agent to send it today, it can be there Wednesday. They'll sort it then (same day service) and let's say they send it back on Thursday. I can receive it by the following Friday, Saturday or Monday.
That's realistic and even allows time for the visa people to send it regular post. Which I'm guessing they won't.
If the travel agent can't do this (incompetent freaks) then I can probably arrange for one of the several 'Visa Service' companies to do so, as most of them specialise in a quick turn-around. Even more so if I explain my situation, I hope.
So... as long as it's sent off today, before 12pm... I'm quite confident in receiving this week and, if not, Monday. There is a slight risk of it not turning up though, and I doubt re-booking my flight is going to be fun if I miss it. I'm guessing they won't refund anything and I'll just have to pay full-price again which, at one days notice, will be a hell of a lot more.
... Hmmm, relaxing now. A little.
|
|
|
|
Post by George61 on Aug 15, 2006 12:00:18 GMT 7
Good luuuck!
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 12:04:49 GMT 7
Ahhh, don't say that! It makes me nervous! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by cheekygal on Aug 15, 2006 13:21:42 GMT 7
Don't worry, you can get your visa in HK easily. So, cheer up and just have all info for HK ready JUST IN CASE  |
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 14:53:50 GMT 7
I've found a company that can have it to me by Friday.
At a cost of £90/$170USD/$223AUD/1360RMB .... haha
But yes, very costly but it looks like my only and cheapest option. *sigh*
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 16:03:52 GMT 7
Don't forget to include your passport.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 16:06:06 GMT 7
Haha ... I always make silly mistakes like that! ;D
Yesterday, I went into the bank and said "Hi, I'd like to deposit £475 into my account please"... I then gave her the money and instead of my bank card, I had picked up my student card. D'oh!
Luckily though, she could find my details anyway because, for some reason, I can remember my account number and sort code.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lotus Eater on Aug 15, 2006 16:24:43 GMT 7
I can see you are going to have a lot of fun in China.  |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 15, 2006 16:32:12 GMT 7
And I am becoming psychic. A sad thing for a skeptic to be.
I keep channelling people who aren't dead yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lotus Eater on Aug 15, 2006 17:26:50 GMT 7
I hear you .........................  I too can see into the future. But that is a mother thing. You develop this 6th sense about when young'uns are doing something that you can see disaster a'coming for. But - the young'uns then become deaf - and it's always someone elses fault when your prophesies happen. |
|
|
|
Post by ilunga on Aug 15, 2006 17:46:22 GMT 7
Make sure you get to the visa office in Manchester before 10.30am for same day service. They've stopped posting the visas out now. I had to make two 300 mile round trips.
|
|
|
|
Post by ObertonGluek on Aug 15, 2006 18:01:38 GMT 7
Well, I've paid £90 (ARGHHH!) for a company to do it on my behalf. Sent my passport and Visa form via Special Delivery and I should have it back by Friday.
Now, I hope my judgement and research was right and this company actually are legit. Either way, one of two things will happen this week:
1) I'll have no passport, no visa form and I'll be £90 down.
2) I'll have a passport with the visa by Friday.
I hope for the latter. Hmmm.
|
|
|
|
Post by ilunga on Aug 15, 2006 18:07:27 GMT 7
I saw those special delivery things. They do seem a bit of a rip-off. The visa itself takes three days to process (unless you've paid for same-day service) so you should be fine.
It was fun going down myself though and seeing all the banners outside the building. 'Falun Gong' 'Bring Jiang Zemin to justice' etc
|
|
|
|
Post by icebear on Aug 16, 2006 0:39:10 GMT 7
I used a courier type service too. In America you have to walk in the app in and it wasn't realistic for me to fly down to San Francisco for 4 days to handle that (as much as I'd like to). Cost me around $100, including FedEx and the visa fees, to get it back in about a week. The place was called Visa Express, in case any folks are scouring these threads for info.
|
|
|
|
Post by con's fly is open on Aug 16, 2006 4:01:57 GMT 7
I got mine done in Hong Kong: $550 HK because it was the weekend ($400 if not, they claimed). Same day.
|
|
