The Reality Behind the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s “4 Weeks” Visa Application Consideration Time Frame
Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Family Visas, Hadley Says…, Investment Visas, Long Stay & PR, Special Programmes, Visitor Visas / 65 responses
When you make most any type of Hong Kong visa or immigration application, you will find yourself in the Hong Kong ID’s infamous 4 Weeks Zone.
You see, the Immigration Department cite that they need 4 weeks to finalise an application once they have received from you all of the documents they need to decide on your case.
What is not stated, of course, is the time that is required to undergo the inevitable requests for information and documentation to enable the Department to enter into the 4 Week Zone.
Unless you are adept at reading between the lines in the official correspondence of the Hong Kong ID it is easy, therefore, to conclude that it should take just 4 weeks for an application to be finalized.
In fact, it’s usually more like 6 – 8 weeks from case submission to case finalization by the time the Immigration Department have on hand everything they need and, in the instance of a business investment visa application, more than 12-16 weeks.
However, in fairness to the Department, if the application is readily approvable once they have all the documents in hand, they more often than not do not need the full 4 weeks to finalise your case and the reality is that Immigration Officers genuinely do try their hardest to get cases completed in the quickest time possible.
They do, in reality, provide a truly excellent, cost effective service!
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The Hong Kong Visa Geeza (a.k.a Stephen Barnes) is a co-founder of the Hong Kong Visa Centre and author of the Hong Kong Visa Handbook. A law graduate of the London School of Economics, Stephen has been practicing Hong Kong immigration since 1993 and is widely acknowledged as the leading authority on business immigration matters here for the last 24 years.
Sarabjit singh
I have send reconsideration letter to immigration before 2 months ago(25 aug 2019)
But no response by immigration
How much time take a immigration on reconsideration letter
The Visa Geeza
Many months I’m afraid.
PRAVEEN KUMAR
I HAVE APPLIED FOR QMAS VISA HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ,I RECEIVED A ACKNOWLEDGE LETTER FROM IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 28TH JUNE. HOW MUCH MORE TIME WILL IT TAKE ????
The Visa Geeza
Up to 12 months
Praveen Kumar
my consultant told me it tale only 45 working days !!
The Visa Geeza
He just wants your money. More than likely a scam…
krishnaRawale
I HAVE APPLIED FOR QMAS VISA HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ,I RECEIVED A ACKNOWLEDGE LETTER FROM IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 15 february HOW MUCH MORE TIME WILL IT TAKE ????
The Visa Geeza
10-16 months.
The Visa Geeza
Just wait out the process. Your DV will be extended at the same time. If you are not going to travel during the time your visas have expired but before ImmD finalise your applications your immigration status quo anti is preserved and there is no need to leave HK or file a visitor visa request. See: http://www.hongkongvisageeza.com/hong-kong-immigration-what-does-it-mean-twilight-zone/
The Visa Geeza
Another 4 weeks potentially.
Sohwish
For dependant visa – Immigration ask to wait for 6 weeks after the submission of enquiry. May I know that Saturday and sunday are also included in 6 weeks? and what about the public holidays?
The Visa Geeza
6 Calendar weeks
Taher
Hi,
If I applied for WP and DPs and after it is approved. What is time duration for DPs to travel Hong Kong?
Thanks
The Visa Geeza
Within 90 days.
raju thapa
hello sir i am a nepalese passport holder from nepal … i have applied in dependent in hong kong .. my wife is a hong kong ID holder having a good salary .. the 1st letter has came in 6 weeks … the second letter haven’t came its been 14 weeks .. want to ask how long will the time take to get visa .. thank you
The Visa Geeza
No idea. It could a very long time or indeed if at all.
Chandrasekhar Doppalapudi
Hii Sir ,i was applied QMAS visa through a consultancy.
i got a letter from ImmD and in the letter they are given the refarance number . just was curious that how long more does it take after your reference number is given to you by the hk immigration department . Is there another letter after i receive my first letter to get the approval letter .
I look online the status is showing in process .
I have received first letter in the month of Nov 15 (1st week).
and could you please tell me the next process.
expecting your valuble advise.
The Visa Geeza
You will be engaged in a backwards and forwards correspondence exercise for 6-9 months and then you can expect the outcome after about 12 months.
Michael B
hi, i just need your advice, a company in HK hired me and submitted my working visa application by September 4, 2018, up to this date my working visa was not yet approved while my friend who is also hired by the same company got her visa approved in 5 weeks time after the company received the courier containing documents for visa application. as of this moment, the HR told me that is under process as of Nov.6, 2018, does anyone here knows how long it will take for my visa application to get approved? or is there a possibility that they cancel my application through the company secures me an employment contract? please help me with my queries…
thank you
The Visa Geeza
If it’s taking so long ImmD are closely assessing elements of the approval criteria. Suggest you call the officer dorectly and enquire as to timing / any issues. You can get the officer’s name and contact details from any official correspondence received from ImmD other than the official receipt and file reference number.
Ali Mohammed
Hi Visa Geeza!
Hope this message finds you well and healthy! Firstly, I would like to say, you have an amazing website full of resources and important information.
I am in a situation really and was wondering if you could shed some guidance or advice on my issue.
I am a British Citizen and I have the right to travel to Hong Kong visa free, my wife is a Pakistani National and so she has a Pakistani Passport and also has a British Residence card. Foolishly without getting the correct information, I booked my flight tickets and accommodation before applying for her Visitor Visa for Hong Kong. I submitted the Hong Kong visitor application in the UK and it has been just over two weeks and I have had no response. I was not given any application reference number so I can not chase it up either. I have just 4 weeks remaining before my departure flight and I am slowly losing hope. I would have to cancel my flight and accommodation and lose out on a lot of money if the visa does not come through within the next 4 weeks.
Is there anything you could recommend me doing in order to get an update? I have already contacted the embassy in Hong Kong embassy twice by email and phone but I get told that someone will contact you.
The Visa Geeza
Call the Immigration Department hotline and see what they have to say.
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/index.html
Ali Mohammed
Hi, thanks for the quick response.
I have already emailed them twice and called the embassy in Hong Kong also. The reply from the emails were that we will forward your details to the correct department and they will get back to you, this was over a week ago.
The phone call I made, I gave them my details and I was told to expect an email in 3-4 working days, no news so far.
It’s amazing how there’s no express service or a dedicated office here in the UK that can help to track and update people regarding their applications.
I submitted our papers about two weeks ago and we have four weeks left to travel so I’m hoping for the best.
Trang
Hi Ali,
Is there any progress on your wife’s application?
I am in a similar situation though I’ve just submitted my documents one week ago.
MAK
Hi ,
My Sponsor have applied my work visa on May 16th. As of today(13th July) it is in process status.
As per the Hong Kong Standards I am earning good salary as well as 7 yrs of experience in the same field (IT).
When can i expect my visa to be approved? It is already almost 4 weeks of time.
The Visa Geeza
Its summer rush at ImmD – expect it to take 6-8 weeks or longer if there are complications
Bishal Ale Magar
Hello, i am submitting my documents for visit visa this 4 May 2018, i havent booked ticket yet. What is the best date for flight booking? How long is it gonna take for the arrival of visa once i submit my documents?so i dont need to rebook my ticket.
The Visa Geeza
6-8 weeks.
Ern
I need urgent help and advice.
I was hired to a new company last year 2017 Nov. I’m want to know why my company told they don’t get news from immd until now about the working visa now is Jan 2018. Is there I need to do personally to come to immigration and inquire about the status of the processing? Please help and advice thank you!
The Visa Geeza
If you have your file reference number you can approach 24/F of Immigration Tower and seek an update from them directly.
Suga
I have submitted the tourist visa application last week in person at immd 2nd floor wanchai. But havent received any acknowledgement letter or reference number to check the status online. Any idea please .
The Visa Geeza
It takes 10 days to 2 weeks to get a receipt
Alana
In what form does the receipt come; letter, email? So that I know what to look out for. I posted my application just over 2 weeks ago and not heard anything. I am concerned that it has been lost in the post as I stupidly didn’t do recorded delivery!
The Visa Geeza
2 weeks is a very short time. ImmD will contact you via the method you indicated on your application from
Tanvir
Hi, I am a Bangladeshi passport holder living in Tokyo. I will need transit visa for Hongkong. What is the usual processing time to get the transit visa in case if I apply through the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.
The Visa Geeza
Allow 4 weeks processing time after submission.
Wena
Hi and good day Sir, I will be giving birth on the second week of next month and have applied my mother for a transit visa. Her ticket is on November 5 checked the status online still in progress will be 3 weeks now. Any chance she could enter as a tourist first in case that date comes without any result yet and just wait for her visa when she arrived here in HK? Thank you so much, appreciate it a lot. Warm regards!
The Visa Geeza
You need to tell me the nationality of your mother. Wihthout that I cannot help.
Jess
I submitted my documents for dependent visa application on Tuesday Oct 24 2017, these are the documents submitted between my spouse and I together:
cover letter requesting to join spouse in hong kong along with index
marrigae certificate (from Gibraltar, original copy and apostilled)
both our birth certiicates
rental slips from over a year as proof of acommodation
inland revenue from 2011-2017 (240,000) a year plus rent support (18,000 per month)
tax slips
transunion credit report
copy spouse HK id card
copy both our passports
photo before weding
photo during wedding ceremony with friends and family
photo after marriage
whatsapp history of 5 months everyday chatted while we were away
family letters with original envelopes
spouse last will and testament including me as wife on it
I would like to point out that on March after a trip to Macau i was refused entry to hk twice my spouse got solicitor ro help m back in and on my colombian passport only give me one week, instead of 90 days. i am back in hk as a visitor permitted for 90 days with one month remaining.
Any idea of how long visa for dependant spouse takes? And if I apply for visitor extension is there a chance?
The Visa Geeza
Normal application time for a DV is 6 weeks.
Edmund
hi, my wife is a Vietnamese passport holder, we have applied for a tourist visa on 6th oct 2017 to HongKong, What is our chances to get a reply before the end of this month ?as we plan to travel on the 31st Oct.
kindly pls advised, thank you.
Mr Edmund Liew
The Visa Geeza
Not great. You should allow 6 weeks for visa processing typically.
Waqar Ahmed
Dear RespectedTeam.
I have applied for HK visa & waiting for the confirmation ,I have a business meeting in HK between 16 Oct to 24 Oct , I need visa confirmation before that can you please help me in this case ?
Further I have received Visa Reference number from HK immigration .if you required will send to you .
Waiting for your positive response.
Thanks
Best regards.
Waqar Ahmed .
The Visa Geeza
If you have already submitted your application to ImmD please follow up directly with them as we don’t intervene in cases which have already been submitted.
Christine
Hi sir!
My company has applied for me a working visa. The comoany said to wait for the approval of the immd. It has been already 2 months since the application. Is it normal or do I have to expect that the application was rejected? Thank you in advance.
The Visa Geeza
This time frame is not unusual.
Ravi Prakash Sharma
Hello Sir , just was curious that how long more does it take after your reference number is given to you by the hk immigration department . Is there another letter after i receive my first letter to get the approval letter . I look online the status is showing in process .
I have received first letter in the month of June 16 (1st week) it has almost 8 weeks completed and letter date is 25th May 2016
The Visa Geeza
It takes about 12 months for a QMAS application and about 4-6 weeks for an employment visa application.