My work visa expires in about 2 weeks and we (my employer and I) will probably not renew it. What's the procedure? I guess I have to leave HK by the expiry date but I need to come back to sort stuff out. What happens? Can I exit nearby and return as a tourist until I sort out my personal stuff?
You don't have to leave immediately if your work visa expires. It depends on the stamp in your passport. However, if you do have to leave, you are free to come back as a tourist. A quick trip to China or Macau will do, and if the immigration department questions you, tell them honestly what your situation is. They will understand.
Alternatively, apply for an extension now at the immigration department. Explain your situation.
Agree with the above reply. Just leave HK and return and u shld get 3 months visa as tourist. If not enough, again exit n return and get another 3 months.
There is no other stamp in my passport so I do need to exit by the visa expiry date. I have to exit/return same day can't stay overnight since I have a baby. Say if the expiry date is September 15 can I exit/return a day before? Or can I exit on the day my visa expires (Sep 15) and return same day. Will immigration allow me to do that?
Interesting that you don't have a visa stamp in your passport. What nationality? On your last question it would depend on whether the employment contract has actually been terminated (or not renewed beyond its end-date). If you re-enter before either the end-date or your employer has notified Immigration that you are no longer employed then you will simply re-enter in line with your current visa. And then you'll need to exit again by the end-date anyway. But back to the passport - are you absolutely sure? I'm thinking that there must be a visa stamped in your passport - that's the primary evidence. But assuming that there isn't one then you could re-enter as a tourist (i.e. join the visitors' queue & don't use your ID card & state 'holiday' as reason for entry) and they will give you the standard tourist visa for citizens of your home country. At least that way you'd have longer than to the end-date of your current visa.
Thanks for your replies. Maybe I misunderstood above replies, my employment visa stamp expires 15 Sept. We will be notifying immigration before the 10 Sept. I'm wondering when it's best to depart.
In that case enter as a tourist - explain to the Immigration Officer that your employment has only recently been terminated - and you will be given the standard visa term applicable to your nationality.