Came here (obviously) for Visa application. I have been here before so it was relatively easy to…read morefind. From the ferry you enter Star House and turn left, walk all the way to the end and take the lifts at the end to 12/F. The consulate will be directly on your left when you walk out the lift. Things you need to bring for a Visa application (if you hold a BNO or HKSAR passport): - Application form (they have it at their office, but you can print your own from the website below) - Recent passport photo (4cm x 6cm or larger so they can cut it up) - Photocopy of your passport - Original passport for their verification/reference - Cash (Tourist Visa is HK$290 and business is HK$360, make sure you have cash because they don't take credit card) I think most people will find it difficult to visit their office given they operate short hours within working hours. The good news is that anybody can hand-in the application for you as long as they have all of the above (especially the original passport), no authorization/delegation form is necessary. The process will be quite short and painless if you have everything I've just mentioned. Given no line-ups (there usually are none), the process shouldn't take anymore than 5 minutes. The official website is a mess; HKTDC has a much more organized website: http://hong-kong-economy-research.hktdc.com/business-news/article/Visa-On-Demand/Cambodia-Visa-on-Demand/vod/en/1/1X000000/1X007HXO.htm

Well, everything in the process of getting 5 visas on the spot in 10' for my family went well…read moreEXCEPT that they tried to charge me adult fares for 2 kids under 12. Luckily their visas mention "gratis" in english at the top of the visa stamp/sticker. I came back to the counter and asked why they charged me nearly HKD 600 for 2 kids' visa earmarked as "gratis". Without an additional word (nor disagreement nor apology), I was refunded in cash immediately. Absent mindedness or corruption? Either way, caution is in order there...

Been here on several occasions and I have to say this place is big. Reading online confirmed my…read moresuspicions- the British Consulate in Hong Kong is the biggest in the world and built into the complex is also the office for British Council which deals with educational affairs. My first visit to the British Consulate was to renew my British passport- this was before the days when it was all done by post and online. I cold report that the staff were friendly and they did try to process my application as smoothly as possible. As with all major institutions after 911, security is extremely tight and you could tell that the front door has been made as small as possible to prevent any attacks. On the top of the escalator you will spot a coat of arms- may seem slightly familiar and you would be right as that used to be hung in one of the reception rooms at Government House. My latest visit was also for the same purpose and I was told very quickly that I was not to come in. Not because I'm a terrorist but the fact is that all passport applications are now handled remotely and you have to submit an application online. I guess this is part of the cost cutting procedure in maintain as few personnel here as possible. The British Council section is much more inviting (naturally) and they offer both local language courses as well as advice on higher education in the UK. I was there for an IELTs test and found the place to be really comfortable and the staff friendly. I guess its no wonder that British Council remains popular with students and shall continue to be so.

Spending a day at Immigration Tower is sort of like going to a DMV in the states. Depending on the…read moretime of arrival, it be disorganized, crowded and above all, confusing. There is a certain level of efficiency here, but chaos tends to reign supreme. Since Immigration Tower is actually quite big, it's important to know how to get there. Take get out the Wanchai exit A1 and walk the footbridge north until one reaches the dead end building. From there walk through the security guys and let them know you're heading to the main lobby of the immigration offices. Naturally, there are all sorts of people here. Immigrants, expats tend to dominate the ID card area, but there are also folks who are just looking to square away their travel / visa situations as well. English is definitely spoken here, but one's mileage will vary depending on how good the desk agent is. It is important to come prepared, so do a little research on their official website (http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/index.html) ahead of time. There are copy machines on the 4th floor and ATMs are available on the bottom level in case cash is needed. When it comes to the ID session, the picture taking is the most fun. Choice of photo and autoadjust is pretty awesome. Don't get too carried away though, the desk agents have a several other hundred people waiting behind you.

The longest wait ever to extend my visa here…read more You pretty much grab a number and then sit down and wait to be called. I waited about 2.5 hours for my number to be called. You can't even leave the place without knowing if you're called. Once you're called it goes pretty fast with the processing.

Getting through Hong Kong immigration is extremely fast and efficient for Hog King residents and…read morecitizens. A simple use of your is card and a scan of your thumb and you are through immigration. All flights out of Hong Kong are essentially international. I can get through check in to my gate typically in less than 30 minutes.

I took the MTR to travel from North Point to Wanchai . We sat in the park class by to rest and…read moreenjoyed the beautiful sky and sunshine . Outside temperate was 55 F . Proven cold for HK people but perfect for me . This WanChai tower is a government building . One of the main office is to fill in the application for a new Hong Kong ID . Beside local HK citizens, there were Indians , Caucasian, Asians from other parts of the world . It is recommended to make an appointment to avoid long wait . All the staffs were well trained , efficient , good manner and patient. It could be good example for other government staffs in other cities . They are so efficient and polite even it was very busy . I am so impressed and this was a totally wonderful experience.

This small tourist info center is located right by the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Star Ferry Pier. It's…read morestaff are knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and speak English. It's a Go-To place for FREE Maps, and brochures (see pics) on self-guided walking tours, hiking trails, parks, various local attractions, as well as useful info on local transportations, availability of FREE internet networks. When in TST, this should be your very FIRST PLACE to visit. Its able staff can help you plan out your visit very nicely. TST is one of the must-visit districts in Kowloon. Therefore, it's a good idea to drop by the Tourists Info in TST first before your adventures. - TST is the HOME of many modern and traditional shopping malls, heritage museums, culture centers, and various attractions such as the harbor promenade, Avenue of Stars, 1881 Heritage Complex, the Ferry to the Hong Kong island, the famous, gigantic Kowloon Park, and the famous Harbor City Mall. The Star Ferry Pier is also the bus terminal, where one can board buses to visit various major districts in Kowloon (see pic). Of course, the Ferry ride across the beautiful Victoria Harbour should be one of the highlights of visiting HK. Over the years visiting Hong Kong, I always make it a point to visit the Visitors Centre, getting up to date, useful info from them. From every visit, I learn something new and useful. Thank you, HK Tourists Board, for doing such a great job! Peter - An appreciative tourist, May 2015

When I walked into the Hong Kong Tourism Board office at the ferry terminal with many questions I…read morehad no idea that I would be met by such a wonderful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic person named Windy. She seems to just love what she is doing. She told me her mother taught her to help people and that is what she wants to do. Although this was my fourth visit to Hong Kong (I think Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in the world) I still had several questions because things have changed drastically since I was there last in 1999. Windy gave me many tips on where to go, what to do and the best way to get there. I did everything she said and my day turned out to be absolutely fabulous. When I came back to thank her at the end of the day she had already gone. Thank you Windy.

This is the place to be if it is your first day in Hong Kong. However, for locals, it is very…read moreimportant to keep up with all the upcoming events in the city, and to be honest, there are so many things you would not know it is in fact a tourist attraction unless you come here. There are a few visitor centres around Hong Kong but today I went to the one at the Peak. Located at The Peak Piazza next to The Peak Galleria, you will see a signage with 'Hong Kong Tourism Board' written on it. Walk inside you can see how informative this place is. I understand lots of people before they travel will buy a guide book and stuff to plan their trip, however, they have plenty of free maps, booklets and brochures for you to take from there. On top of that, the staff there are very talkative and very nice to chat with. They know what tourists want in this place and the best of all, they offer the most affordable choices for you and the suggestions are tailor made. All staff are equipped with Ipad that enables them to show you the sights on it so you know what to expect. Hong Kong as an international city, I would say that our government did spend a lot on the tourism here and you can see how much effort it has put in it with the staff training and the facilities. My advice here is really to spend some time talking to the ambassadors here instead of relying on your guidebook. You will definitely gain more doing so.

Coming from the US, specifically Hawaii, government offices are not typically known to be very…read morehelpful or friendly. Surprisingly, this is definitely not the case at this Hong Kong government office. A friend had to move a dog from Hong Kong back to the US and needed proper paperwork. The person in front of us was also doing the same thing. The government worker was able to communicate clearly in English and in Cantonese and was extremely helpful and personable and getting the proper paperwork and documentation needed to process the application. It turned out we were missing one document and the veterinarian just needed to fax it over. We followed up in about an hour to make sure the fax was received and it was. Everything was fast and easy. I was really pleasantly surprised! I only complaint was the condition of the waiting sofas. They were pretty filthy. Otherwise there was hand sanitizer and even a bottled water cooler available for drinking water.