Job Discussion Forums

[Flabs]

I'm looking for work in Hong Kong and have had a few responses from employers which sound interested, but they all expect me to already have a visa, and don't seem to offer any assistance in how to get one. I've been to the Immigration Dept website and it seems clear that to even apply for the working visa you need a sponsor or potential employer, to fill out most of the form. It seems like a catch 22 situation to me, but I'm sure I'm just missing something obvious. I'm living in the UK, but ready to relocate and happy to pay my own visa fee. So do you have to move out there first before anyone will even look at you? How does the visa system really work out there?
Any relevant insight would be great.

[Ludwig]

No, you are not missing anything. The system works as it states how it works on their website. Yes, of course you require a sponsor and they need to place their certified company or institution 'chop' (HK English for 'stamp') on the 'change of status from visitor visa to employment visa'. Obviously only the larger, more established firms are able to actually sponsor a candidate, and not all that are able are willing. The sponsor, after all, is, if required, responsible for, among other things, your repatriation (if required). Those jobs you have received interest from will be smaller, local centres (or the like) and will be intended for those who are already here (western HK citizens, English-speaking local HK citizens, etc.). All qualifications are checked by immigration and, technically at least you (read, your potential employer) must demonstrate that you are to perform a task that no one already in HK who is willing, able and available could perform. Remember that it is not guaranteed that an employment visa will be issued, they are under no obligation to grant employment visas (another reason for a potential employer to shy away from sponsoring a candidate).

Outside of university, EMB, international, and private school posts, you really need to be in HK to obtain a post in HK (and someone already in HK will always win over someone who is not, for obvious reasons). With a British passport, however, you can remain in HK for up to 3 months on a simple visitor visa (customs stamp this into your passport upon arrival). Although technically you can not actively seek employment on this visa, you can apply for posts by sending out CVs, registering at agencies, etc. If you then receive any interest you can go into Shenzhen, come back into HK on a new visitor visa and then immediately apply for change of status. Bear in mind at all times that HK is not for beginners when it comes to qualifications and experience expected/required and that it may take quite some time to actually secure a post. This time, however, will quickly eat into even the largest of budgets whilst in HK if you are not earning a salary.

My advice would be to just take a 9,000 RMB a month post over the border in Shenzhen as a basic instructor and then actively seek employment in HK from there. That way you would be able to conduct job hunts and - arguably most important of all � be able to attend interviews. Very, very few employers will ever hire someone (read, 'sponsor someone') without having first meet them face to face at least once or twice, how could they?

[Mark-O]

Well done, Ludwig; I knew you could do it. A helpful and informative post.

[once again]

Mark-O , I agree. This may be the first attempt at normal social interaction for Ludwig, and it is right that he be commended on this. Although-Ludwig wrote:

[well-travelled]

I agree that Ludwig covers the question of HK visas etc. in a very comprehensive and helpful manner (and I personally couldn't give a toss about his punctuation).

I would, however, add one point, which almost certainly has been mentioned on this forum before. A number of teaching institutions/language schools in HK (whatever they are called) exist by employing (exploiting?) expat teachers on an illegal basis. So Flabs could come along on a 180 day tourist visa and be employed illegally by the companies concerned. I suspect that that is the import of the replies he has received from the various language schools in HK he has had contact with.

Some young expats do this and enjoy the experience. Basically, however, I feel you're better off in somewhere like Spain and Greece where the lifestyle is far cheaper and you're less likely to be employed in an illegal situation.

well-travelled

[ozman]

Ludwig's advice about the work visa was spot on as was his advice about getting a job in Shenzhen and applying for HK posts from there.
Change of status can be done, but as Ludwig say, you've got to get someone to sponsor you. I do know people who've done it though, so it's not impossible.

[Flabs]

Thanks for the advice Ludwig, really helpful to have it from someone who sounds like they know what they're talking about. Looks like I will have to re-evaluate my plans and maybe look into the Shenzhen idea. Does anyone have experience of this area of China? I've spent some time in the Yunnan province but nowhere else.

[Roger]

Well-Travelled's advice is totally misguided and misguiding; please, ignore that guy's suggestions!
Hong Kong cops are known to raid private homes in the middle of the night; besides you can be stopped anywhere for ID checks. Guess what they are going to do to you if you say "I left my ID card in the school where I work..."

Whites are no conspicuous by their absence rather than by their presence, so it is easier to keep tabs on you. The Immigration man who sees your entry eand exit stamps will make sure you have a good answer for your regular visits!

[dandan]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are proud to present R-O-G-E-R!!! Star of the one man performance art experience 'Don Quixote goes to China'.

Now in its 12th successful year!

[well-travelled]

I wasn't offering advice, nor recommending that Flabs work illegally in HK- I was simply describing the situation where a number of language schools do employ teachers in HK without obtaining employment visas for them.

And, in spite of what Roger states, many of them continue to get away with it.

well-travelled

[Flabs]

Working illegally definately isn't option for me, I want to do things legitimately. However, it's helpful to get the full picture, because an employer who wants to hire you illegally isn't going to tell you about it, are they? I've worked in the mainland and had experiences of people confidently telling you 'it's all right' and before you know it, the police are in your bedroom.....so I want to do my research and not just naively trust what people say. So, useful to have the full perspective, thanks Roger and Well-travelled.

[Ludwig]

'Flabs', in short, they are both right. 'Well-travelled' is certainly correct when he states that there exists an illegal market, but 'Roger' is also correct when he points out that there has in the past been action taken against this market.

[prplfairy]

Oh god, here we go again. Every once and a while Roger takes it upon himself to tell everyone how evil and dangerous working illegally is in Hong Kong. The fact of the matter is that it is pretty simple to do. Hong Kong police DO NOT raid ESL teachers homes. I have asked Roger on several occasions to give me some proof of this and he never does, because there isn't any. Cops stop and check Filipino maids and Mainlanders for their IDs and while it is true that they can ask anyone I have never been asked I don't know any westerns who have been stopped. Roger takes the cases of the HK police coming down on illegal mainland workers and applies it to teachers. It doesn't happen and is completely misleading. Here is how you will get caught, if you get caught in HK working illegally. I know, because it has happened to several people I know. You'll come in and get your normal 3-month visa a few times too often, something like 4 times, and then they will tell you that you can't just keep coming back and getting a another 3 months. That means you can pull it off for about a year in most cases. They'll also tell you that if you return to your country of origin or leave hong kong for more than few weeks you will be granted another 3 month visa on your return.

That is the real threat in HK. So sleep tight kids because no cops are going to come and bust down your door for working illegally. Shame on you Roger.