chicken or egg

[Oxygen]

Hi all,

I have searched but cant seem to find the answer.

I need to apply for a dependents visa and ID card. which one should I apply for first? I am assuming that I need the Visa before the ID card but I cant seem to find the answer.

[MovingIn07]

You can't get an ID card without a visa. (Unless you don't need a visa).

[Claire ex-ax]

Yep, visa first, which makes you eligible for the ID card (exceptions noted).

[Oxygen]

Thanks for the swift reply. is the only way to get a visa by post here

Receipt and Despatch Unit
Hong Kong Immigration Department
2/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

or can i do it in person for speed?

[Claire ex-ax]

The visa will take at least 4-6 weeks so allow for that waiting period at a minimum. (There is no "fast channel" or "express fee".)

[Matt_NT]

You can take it down to immigration in person but it doesn't affect processing.

Just make sure you supply plenty of evidence (photo's, letter, proof of income for partner) and this will reduce the risk of questions being asked which will obviously slow down the application.

After you (hopefully) have the visa you will need to leave HK and return on the dependants visa to activate. You then have 30 days from the "journey completed" stamp in your passport to get your ID card.

[Oxygen]

Thanks for the information. Very helpful.

[MovingIn07]

The "exit HK" is usually done via Macau and does not need to involve actually staying in Macau - just to complete the picture.

[nobby15]

When my wife got her dependent visa she did not have to leave HK.

[Oxygen]

I have a multi trip visa for China so maybe a trip across the boarder will work.