Job Discussion Forums

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I've accepted an offer and will be moving to Hong Kong in early August. Does Hong Kong allow you to change visa status within the territory, or do you have to make a visa run to Macau or wherever? I'm just starting the paperwork process, and I'm trying to time several logistical matters. I'm doing the CELTA in Bangkok in my time off this summer, and I need to rent an apartment as soon as possible after that. Will it be possible to enter HK on a tourist visa and change it once I'm there if my work visa isn't ready?

Also, can anyone recommend reliable websites or real estate agents? I've been looking at the apartment listings on the HK Expats site. My boyfriend (who lives in North Point) claims the rents listed are artificially low. Craigslist's listings aren't great. Any additional resources would be very helpful. Thanks.

[anninhk]

If you have accepted the offer now you will have plenty of time to get the work permit before August.
You can come in on a visitor's visa and change your status by going to Macau or Shenzhen but you won't be allowed to work until you do (in theory)
I suggest you wait till you get here to look for a permanent place as it is too easy to get something you don't like on the Internet and sign up for it - it happened to a friend of mine. She thought she had a bargain and spent 18 months in a pokey bed-sit!
You can get a serviced apartments in North Point for a month to start with and find out where you want to live from there.

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Thanks for the tips. I've gotten a little more information since then and the visa thing ought not to be an issue: HK has a much simpler way of issuing work visas than Korea does. (What a surprise.) And the serviced apartment idea's great; that's what I'll do.