Working holiday visa processors on holiday themselves?

Tin_Angel · 17-07-2010, 11:02 AM

So, I have a bit of a predicament:

I have been hired by the Education Bureau and have a few job prospects for the coming school year (yay!). I am hoping to have an official job offer by the end of next week. The problem is that my boyfriend applied for a working holiday visa (we live in Canada) back in March and has only been contacted a few times asking for more documentation. As far as we can tell, we have sent absolutely everything but the kitchen sink. They have even had his passport for about 2 months now (which I'm really uncomfortable with). We are dealing with the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver but we don't actually live in Vancouver so it's not exactly easy or cheap for us to keep checking in person. We have made the trip twice now when we were told the visa would be ready (and it never was.) We have tried email and calling, both to no avail. I don't want to pack up my life and move around the world without knowing he'd be joining me. Has anyone from Canada dealt with getting a working holiday visa before? What should we do? Does it usually take this long? This is very stressful!!!!!

PDLM · 17-07-2010, 01:06 PM

Working Holiday Visas processed in Hong Kong normally take about 4 weeks I believe (I know an Aussie who got one recently).

What I suspect (this is just a guess) the problem is is that the Chinese Consulate have worked out that he does not in fact want to go on a working holiday to Hong Kong but to actually move here and reside here as your spouse.

They may regard that as abuse of the working holiday system.

If you got married he could get a Dependant Visa once you have your Employment Visa (assuming you don't have the right to reside in Hong Kong anyway).

Tin_Angel · 17-07-2010, 04:10 PM

But the Chinese consulate has no knowledge of me whatsoever so I don't know why they would think that.... he DOES want to go on a working holiday to Hong Kong.

Tin_Angel · 17-07-2010, 04:19 PM

I should mention I am only staying for a year or two. This is not a long term move for either of us.

justjoe86 · 17-07-2010, 04:28 PM

sometimes theyre very picky. i recently got a dependent visa and they were fussy about small details but as soon as i properly gave them everything theyd asked for, it was extremely efficiently processed.

i suggest you reread everything they've sent you and the application notes, and make sure you've complied fully. Also did you keep copies of everything you sent? If so it could be worth resending in case something was lost in the post.
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drumbrake · 17-07-2010, 04:39 PM

Maybe it is easier and faster to apply direct to the HK immigration department by post? It's possible that the Chinese consulate is sending everything to Hong Kong (perhaps via Beijing?) and that's why it is taking so long.

justjoe86 · 18-07-2010, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by drumbrake:

Maybe it is easier and faster to apply direct to the HK immigration department by post? It's possible that the Chinese consulate is sending everything to Hong Kong (perhaps via Beijing?) and that's why it is taking so long.

Oh yeah - I misread that...

When I said 'efficient' I was talking about applying directly to the HK visa department... They're efficient and send things immediately. If you're going through a chinese consulate it's not surprising it's slow - It's a bit like sending all your letters to Paris so they can be forwarded to London.

Is that the only way to apply for that type of visa?