Job Discussion Forums

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

I hope someone out there can help me.....
I have just accepted a position (starting 2nd term '04) at Deborah International Play School but the lady I spoke with says I can sign a contract and get a visa when I reach Hong Kong.....is this normal?
Also, as I don't have a degree or any Tesol certificate, I can only get a holiday visa. Could I get a working holiday visa? I am from Australia and the advertisement (Sept 15th) said that people from Oz and NZ did not require a degree. The lady also said she would just say in my Visa application that I would be moving to a different school every 3 months even though in truth I would be staying in the one school for the whole year. Does this mean I am working illegally?
Also is HK$12000 a month ok to live on?
If anyone can help me out, I would REALLY appreciate it.
Thanks Very Happy

ChrisRose · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hong Kong

$12,000 for living on?

Well are they providing free accommodation? If not then it will be very very tight.

Example an apaartment, small 2 bedrooms on an old building, poor condition will cost 5,000 to 7,000 a month. Add rates, managment fees, utilities etc not to mention the agency fees, deposit etc.

So you wll most likely have to look to sharing an apartment, say 2 - 5000 a month.

Daily expences say $100 HK a day (that would be just for transport and things like Mac Donald's.

Don't forget the legalally required MPF retirment tax, 5% of your monthly salary taken out at source.

12K for full time is poor. As for working whilst on a toursit visa that is illigal to the best of my knowledge. I suggest you look through previous threads on this forum.

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

Tassierose

Big bad Hong Kong is no place for a flowery little petal, and $12000 is unlikely to get you a very large window box. Perhaps it might be a good idea to consider getting some kind of internationally recognised teaching qualification before transplanting yourself to pastures new. Be very careful about what the lady says - it may be different from what she means or does. Wink

Ludwig

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

This is the ad that I applied for:

A group of kindergartens Hong Kong need teachers. Flexible starting dates from immediately to early December. Good, caring company. This position entails teaching English and other kindergarten subjects to Chinese children and sometimes international children, helping to decorate classrooms, administrative duties and participation in special activities and help with the care of the children.

Salary HKD 12000 per month plus free furnished shared apartment (or 2000 housing allowance) with one or two other teachers. Part time available for 8000-9000. Working hours Monday to Friday from 830am-5pm plus some Sat mornings for special activities etc. for full time and 830-1pm for part-time.

Other benefits (for full time):
Return air ticket refunded after completion of two year contract to home country
Private Medical coverage
Full visa sponsorship

For part-time and fulltime
All school holidays fully paid (about 8 weeks per year)
One day paid sick leave per month

REQUIREMENTS:

Canadians, British and Americans must have university degree in any subject and a testimonial letter stating teaching experience (this is a requirement of HK immigration!)
(Exception-Australian or New Zealanders may apply for working holiday visa and do not need a degree or those with permanent Hong Kong ID cards may apply without a degree)
Love children
Enthusiastic, kind and reliable
Creative and caring
Responsible
Adaptable

For me, I don't think it's as bad as what I've heard from people who have replied to my question. I'm figuring now that even if I'm in Hong Kong for only 3 months then that's ok. I'm also going to apply for a British passport which might make moving around Hong Kong a bit easier.
But I really would love to hear some positive advice....it can't all be bad, can it?????

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

At least you have the maturity to seek advice. The decision is yours. You are not a teacher and it appears, as millie states, that the employer isn't concerned about that. Therefore, you should not expect the same sorts of deals that the 'professionals' look for. If you do decide to go I hope you'll post us a message about the classroom decoration - let us know what colour emulsion they use and whether you had to supply your own ladder. Smile

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

I know you guys are telling me what you know but gee whizz you're a bunch of negatives....i can't believe it.
But in saying that, thanks to Millie for even bothering to attempt positivity, it makes a nice change.
I'm going ahead with this, I'm going to get a working holiday visa which is perfectly legal and if it all falls around my feet, then so be it. Rolling Eyes

Ludwig · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Oh my gosh!

subwoofer · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 159

I say go for it, TR, and to hell with the consequences!

Laughing

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Ludwig wrote:

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

To add more positives to this tassie, you really are going to get ripped off at this point. My guess is that it will be a very expensive and damaging mistake for you. I have been here quite a while, and never come across anything called a "working holiday visa". You must take Ludwig's advice on this and check out the embassies and relevant visa authorities. You may find yourself working hard and then not being paid, and having no recourse. At the same time you will need to fund your stay in HK. Have they offered you an advance on salary, or will you be expected to fund the first month yourself? And once they pay you half of the first month, then you will be in a position of needing to trust them for the second month, and when the final "non payment" comes around, your "working holiday " visa will be up and you will need to leave. There is not much recourse for someone who worked illegally. You may have the satisfaction of reporting them to the Immigration Department, but it will have cost you an awful lot of money and work to do so.

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

[for anyone who's interested (even those who aren't).....

WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME

30. At present the Working Holiday Scheme has two participating countries i.e. Australia and New Zealand. The annual quota is 200 for each of the participating country. An application for working holiday visa from a national of the participating country will be favourably considered if the following criteria is met :

the applicant holds a valid national passport issued by the participating country and is ordinarily residing in that participating country;
the applicant's primary intention is to holiday in Hong Kong;
the applicant is aged between 18 and 30;
the applicant is able to produce financial proof of having an amount sufficient for his/her maintenance during the proposed stay in the HKSAR, e.g. bank statement, saving accounts passbook, etc.; and
the applicant holds a return air ticket or financial proof of having sufficient funds to purchase a return air fare.
31. The holder of a working holiday visa will be allowed to enter the HKSAR for a period of not more than 12 months and subject to normal immigration requirements being met. Application for extension of stay will not normally be considered.

Pretty handy to know.[/b]

badtyndale · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 181 Location: In the tool shed

Rosy

Are you intending to stay just 3 months? or a whole year? or for two years so that you'll qualify for your 'return air ticket'?

Is the primary purpose of your visit to holiday?

Have you enough funds to support your stay?
If so, please return to the beginning and review the questions.

I just don't understand how a 'contract' can have any validity under the circumstances you've described. I'm sorry if you think we're being negative but I'd prefer to say we're being objective. As I read it, you may be OK for a 3 month stint but I think that's (legally) as far as it goes. If your prospective employer is talking about two-year contracts this seems curious. Surely you will not be eligible for air-fares and you may have difficulty obtaining full remuneration. Just be cautious.

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

I am staying 12 months, I will legally be able to stay 12 months. I cannot stay for 2 years and I can't come back to Hong Kong under a 'Working Holiday' Visa.
Obviously I am not just going to be in Hong Kong for the whole 12 months I'm there either, I'm in ASIA. Of course I'm going to travel, i'd be daft not to.
All questions from badtyndale have been answered and i pass with flying colours.
Whatever will be will be.