The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has been around for more than 66 years and provides…read moreassistance to Filipino nationals living in Hong Kong. Within its time here in Hong Kong, it has changed location for more than 8 times. In 1999, when I was eight years old, it moved to its permanent location on the 14th floor of United Centre. The Consulate enjoys the liberty of taking the day off both on Philippine and Hong Kong holidays. I've been going here for as I can remember, mainly to renew my passport or accompany other family members to do the same. Legal Philippine documents can also be applied here. As the majority of Filipinos in Hong Kong consists of domestic helpers, it forms the larger crowd here especially during Sunday. Scratch that, it is busy every day that it is open, regardless of time. But it does help to arrive early as the crowd only begins to gather an hour after they open. Thankfully, I've never tried using the Consulate's assistance in criminal and social welfare cases, but it's good to know that it is there when I could possibly need it. Renewing passports isn't that easy as there are four (sometimes three) long lines to follow, but at least it's streamlined. Passports can be renewed, at the earliest, 8 months before expiration but can still be handled even though it's 3 months due to expire. Renewing a Philippine passport costs $480 which might not seem much but losing it costs a whopping $1,200! Thankfully, I have never lost my passport. The majority of the world's population enjoy a 30-day visa-free entry to the Philippines while HKSAR passport holders, due to the 2010 tension between Hong Kong and the Philippines, can only stay for 14 days. I like that the official website has downloadable forms so I wouldn't have to take a special trip to Admiralty just to get the forms I need.

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.

As I will be leaving soon for Germany, getting my Visa ready is of utmost importance. Since this…read morewas my first time to be in a Consulate, I did not know what to expect but I would say it was definitely an experience. First thing I know is that the opening hour is from eight thirty to eleven thirty during weekdays, which got me thinking, who could have been available during those hours? Anyways, I went there during my dayoff (first time ever I feel lucky to have my daysoff on weekdays). Before I got in there was a security check, no phone or anything unnecessary could be brought inside. Instead, we were asked to put everything else inside a locker outside. I have to say that the security guard is super nice and funny. Sometimes people go to talk to him as they are waiting for their turns and it was definitely fun for me to eavesdrop. There were four counters in total but only two that were in service - one for German citizens of course and the other one for visas and all kind of inquiries. And you would have expected to spend some time here. I always have the feeling that staff working in embassy or consulate or any kind of government departments are quite rude and this one proves me right. I am sure she was busy but sometimes she came off quite condescending. Well, she was the only one was is going to help me so I am so not complaining. Fun fact, seems like lots of Hongkongers are going to Germany for working holiday these days; but as I was talking to the lady at the counter (which was around 11:30 - time to close), one girl showed up at the door asking if she could get in to apply for the working holiday scheme, the guard said no and she was so anxious about how many spot left for this year, the lady at the counter replied 1 left. And they still refused to let her in though she was kind of begging... Anyways, hopefully she gets that... Anyways, I finally got my Visa today but guess what - they kind of messed it up on my duration of stay so I need to ask them about it. As for the hotline, no matter it is during working hour or not, you can never reach them. For real. Hopefully this will be my last time to be visiting here.

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.

Well, it's been almost three years and I am finally being brave enough to get my Hong Kong drivers…read morelicense; it might take me another three before I'm brave enough to use it, but that's another story. The process is actually pretty simple. Print off a form and show up at the office in Queensway with your original license, passport and Hong Kong ID card. I made sure I was at the office by 10am (the opening hours stated online, but they actually open at 9) and the queues weren't bad - although there were audible sighs of relief when the lady crazy enough to bring a stroller to the queue whipped out an iPad and shamelessly used Frozen to keep the baby in it quiet. I did have to wait about half an hour, but that was partially due to standing in the wrong queue. Now, going back to collect the actual document, it makes sense, but the sign "first issue of HK licence" seemed completely applicable to the act of applying for one (I'd read and re-read it multiple times to make sure and I thought I had a reasonable grasp of the English language). So, tip for new players, ask at the information desk before joining a queue and save yourself some time.

Queues, queues and more queues. That's about the only way you could describe this place. On the…read moreoccasions that I have been here, whether you are trying to apply for a license, renew a license, transfer vehicle ownership papers or registration mark ; it has always involved an hour of heel killing and neck hurting (from spending too much time on my phone) wait. To the uninitiated you really don't know which queue to follow as well- almost all of them seem to do the same thing (blame the government for having so many similarly named forms). However, as much as you may like to hate this place- it is convenient. If you work on HK island then this is probably the only place that you could go to during working hours that could handle everything (notably the international driving license). Given that government offices rarely open outside of office hours this is the only choice you have and I'm afraid you just have to bear with it. The staff are not to blame in that sense, I can see that they try their best to accommodate the masses of people who come through. Language wise they have to deal with all sorts of nationalities hence you can't expect too much if you don't speak English. I would say that you will need to leave a good hour clear in your diary if you were to do anything there as it will almost always involve an application stage and a payment stage; both of which involving more lines. Its the government- what else do you expect?

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.