Job Discussion Forums

[crash01]

Hi. I have been accepted into the PNET program by EDB, but have a query. Although I hold a foreign passport and have contacts out of HK, I also have the permanent HKID. Would that mean I don't qualify for the fringe benefits? Also, would I know whether I am eligible for the benefits or not, before I sign the contract or only later? Thanks for the help.

[anninhk]

To qualify for the special allowance you have to prove that your ties are outside HK. I think you must have lived outside HK for 5 years previous to your employment.
If you have family or a house or have lived for most of your life in another country then you should get the special allowance despite having a permanent ID.
This is the situation as it stands at the moment but there have been murmurings in the press about people who have worked in HK for over 10 years and now have permanent ID getting the special allowance so it may change in the future. However, as things stand permanent ID holders who can prove their ties outside the country still qualify.
Also if you are married both you and your spouse cannot get the special allowance, and you don't qualify if your spouse gets any form of housing allowance.