I was planning on talking about my misadventure in Hong Kong at a later date, but since I replied to a person from an immigration blog site for Hong Kong, I thought to share the posting here.
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King125 I can feel your frustration. I share in your pain as I base my future timeline on your success. Since you hear next to nothing, I expect the same for us. I will share my experience with my futile visit to the Hong Kong consulate.
My plane would leave Hong Kong at 11:45 am on Wednesday April 21st so I knew that I needed to be at the airport no later then 10:00 am. On Monday morning I sent an email to the consulate saying that I would go there on Tuesday afternoon. In my email I stated that I was bringing additional proof of our ongoing relationship such as extra photos, ticket stubs on 3 more visits to China, and a years worth of moneygram receipts. I also said that my main wish, being that I knew the consulate was busy, was to drop off the documents, but if possible I would like to have a quick chat with a VO officer that was processing our case.
Tuesday morning I checked my email and had no reply. I had figured that I would not hear from them. We arrived at the consulate at about 2:00 pm and proceeded to the 12th floor. The security glass doors into the consulate was closed and manned by a security officer. He would open the doors briefly to let people out. The waiting area in the consulate had about 6 people waiting to see someone. We were not allowed in and through the glass doors had to state our business. When I said that I wished to drop of documents and maybe see someone, I was told that only by mail would they accept the documents. I stated that the website only mentioned applications needed to be mailed and that we already had an application and I had the file number with us. I also said that the website said that temporary visas could be dropped off in person to the secretary so I wished to drop off the additional proof to the secretary as well. He took our passports and inquired to a person behind the counter. He came back and said that the office was only open between 8:00 & 10:00 am. He said that the person behind the counter mentioned that if we came back the next day between 8:00 & 10:00 am and we had filled in a Case Specific Enquiry that maybe someone would see us. He did not promise us but said we could try. We thanked him for his effort and departed to prepare for tomorrow.
Our hotel was not close to the consulate and with my plane leaving that day, we arrived at the consulate at 7:45 with suitcases in tow. The 12th floor was already filled with a line of people waiting for the doors to open. We squeezed in the very back. Once the doors opened, the security officer started screening the people trying to get in. Some people were sent away and those that were allowed accesses had their bags checked. By 8:20 we arrived at the doors. He remembered us and took our passports and Case Specific Enquiry to the same lady behind the counter. After a brief discussion he returned and said that yes we could enter and maybe see a VO officer BUT, while pointing to our luggage, he stated that we could not take them into the consulate nor leave them in the 12th floor elevator lobby. We had to find a place that would hold my suitcases. I understood the security reasoning and we went back down the elevator to find a place to cache the baggage. My wife did not get the jest of the reasoning since on the main floor lobby she asked if they would watch them there. She also suggested the bank that was on the main floor. I tried to explain to her the heightened security now in the world because of 9/11. I said that maybe a hotel would allow us to check in our baggage so we left the building to find a nearby hotel. Across the road was the subway that we took to arrive here. She got excited and suggested that a store in the subway might hold our bags. I allowed her to try by asking but was convinced and correct that they would not take them either. We did find 2 blocks away the Mandarin Oriental Hotel that said the bag check in was for guests only but they would make an exception and took our bags. We got back to the consulate at 8:50 waited in line briefly, and then the security officer waved us forward checked my wife’s purse and let us in. He gave us a ticket and said to wait for our number to be called. By 9:20 I was getting worried because I still needed to get to the airport. My wife called over another security officer and showed my flight itinerary to her. She took the itinerary and showed it to the same lady behind the counter. The lady called us up and asked what we wanted. I would not be able to see a VO officer anymore so I asked if at least that I could drop of the extra documents of proof for our case file. She said that only by mail would they accept the documents. I mentioned, once again, that the website said that temporary visa applications and courier deliveries were accept in person so I was hopping to do the same. My rational was that delivering in person would be additional proof of the seriousness of our commitment. How many other Canadian sponsors take the time out to make an appearance? But my attempt at persuasion fell on deaf ears. Only by mail would they accept the additional proof. So poof – my hopes were dashed as I needed to dash back to the hotel, gather my bags, and depart for the airport.
I wonder if I had the extra time weather I would have gotten the chance to speak with a VO officer. Now I will never know. I hope that at least they remember that we had been there and when we mail in the additional proof I will make a copy of this posting for even an additional proof. I like to thank the security officer (I should have gotten his name) because he did try for us, but for the secretary – I can understand a policy set in place to discourage the locals from hounding their office, but how often does a Canadian, which I might add pays their salary, show up to be assisted. I sure hope I get better service if ever left stranded overseas, but alas I feel that the Canadian government abroad is meek in deed.
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AS to my night in Hong Kong....well that will be another story I will share, but as to some quick advice...Don't stay at a hotel that also has posted an hourly rate.
