Question for Working Holiday Visa holders/anyone who might know.

[tiaw]

Today I received my Working Holiday Visa. It says:

'Good for Single journey to Hong Kong. Valid for presentation on or before 12-10-12 provided travel document is valid'.

Does 'Single Journey' mean that once I'm in Hong Kong, I can't leave without invalidating my Working Holiday Visa? What if I want to take a short holiday to a nearby country? Or return home for a week to visit family? I could be wrong, but 'Single Journey' seems to suggest single entry.

[Gruntfuttock]

No, it's badly worded. Legally, what you have is approval to come to HK Immigration and request a visa from the Immigration Officer (which will be granted provided your travel document is valid). Once you have that visa you may come and go freely for its duration (one year normally).

[tiaw]

I was also told that I have to acquire a HKID within 30 days of arrival, and that once I get this, I can leave and return as many times as I like within the year. Is this correct?

Obviously this is very important for me to get a definitive answer on as money/flights/plans depend on it.

[Gruntfuttock]

Yes, if you enter HK with a visa valid for more than 180 days then it is a requirement that you apply for a HKID card. But you can come and go freely at any time, regardless of whether your HKID has been processed.

In fact when you go to apply for the HKID you will immediately be given a temporary paper HKID with which you can exit and enter through the manned residents' immigration lines. Once you have the real HKID card (2 weeks after application) you will be able to use it in the automatic e-gates at most immigration entry/exit points.

[hktraveller]

...Once you have the real HKID card (2 weeks after application) you will be able to use it in the automatic e-gates at most immigration entry/exit points.

Not sure if that applies to a working holiday visa. I do know that it does not for student visas. They get their passports stamped with a half page chop every time they enter.