How can I find a job in HK...

...if I’m on the other side of the world?

Read the online classified ads of the South China Morning Post (www.classifiedpost.com) or visit these websites

• http://www.Careertimes.com.hk
• http://www.jobsdb.com
• http://www.hkjobs.com
• http://www.jobsasia.com
• http://www.jobsonline.com
• http://www.recruitonline.com

Job-hunting tips

• begin your job search well before you arrive
• prepare an up to date resume
• send letters and resumes to executive recruiters, potential employers, friends, relatives, etc
• be patient – looking for a job can take anywhere from a few weeks to 4+ months depending on the industry and the individual

Do I need to apply for a work permit to live in HK?

Actually, it is not called a work permit. If you would like to work in Hong Kong and you are not a Hong Kong permanent resident, you will need to apply for an employment visa. You will need to apply for the visa most suitable to your situation by filling in particular parts of form ID (E) or (C) 936. In order to apply for a visa, you will need a sponsor. That is someone who is in Hong Kong and can complete part B of the form for you.

You can download ID (E) 936 at: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)936.pdf

You can download the guidance notes at: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)937.pdf

What are the criteria for an employment visa?

Hong Kong’s immigration policy basically allows foreigners to work or to establish a business in HK if they possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not already available in HK or if they are in a position to make a substantial contribution to the economy of HK.

What paperwork do I need to get an employment visa?

The Immigration Department provides a variety of visas and there are different kinds of employment visa provided amongst those. You will need to complete the parts of form ID (E) or (C) 936 most relevant to your situation and supply the necessary paperwork. Below is the list of visas as given by the Immigration Department.

• Visit or Transit (for persons who do not enjoy visa waiver concession to HKSAR. You can check if your country has a visa waiver by reading pamphlet ID290 - on website.)
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B, C and D only.
• Employment (other than imported work or domestic helper)
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B, E, F and G only.
• (This is the most likely scenario.)
• Employment as Domestic Helper:
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B, E, and F only.
• Investment: (requires investment of HK$6.5 million)
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B, E, F and J only.
• Training:
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B, E, F and G only.
• Student:
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B and E only.
• Residence as Dependant:
• Complete ID (E) 936 / ID (C) 936 A, B and I only.

Generally, for employment, you (or your sponsor) will need to submit :

• an application form ID (E) 936, with relevant parts duly completed and signed;
• a copy of the sponsor’s Business Registration Certificate, Certificate of Incorporation and/or Memorandum of Incorporation and Articles of Association;
• financial standing of the sponsor/sponsor’s company (income tax return, trading profit and loss account, profit tax return);
• company staff list with salary offered and position held and list of expatriate staff previously or currently recruited from overseas;
• a copy of the applicant’s service contract or letter of appointment with details of post, salaries and benefits;
• full description of the applicant’s post;
• details, with proofs, of applicant’s academic qualifications and experience relevant to the post, e.g. copies of diplomas, certificates and testimonials;
• a letter, with supporting proof from the employer (if possible) stating the reason why the post cannot be filled locally;
• if the applicant is to replace someone already working in Hong Kong, the personal particulars and his whereabouts (if known) should be given;
• if the applicant is to fill a new post, explain why his/her services are essential; and
• evidence of the applicant’s past residence in Hong Kong (if any).

What is a sponsor? What do they do?

A sponsor will be a Hong Kong resident and they will take responsibility for your residency in Hong Kong. In Part B of the application form they must state that they ‘undertake to assume responsibility for the applicant’s repatriation to ..... if at the expiration of stay granted by Director of Immigration, the applicant fails to leave Hong Kong.’

How long does it take to get an employment visa?

The Immigration Department states in their guidelines that it takes 4-6 weeks to process an application. However, we know plenty of people who have had to wait months. The best advice is get your paperwork in ASAP.

How long does an employment visa last?

A visa for a permanent position can last for up to 2 years. This doesn’t mean that a 2 year visa is always issued. Sometimes, particularly it seems on a first application, a 1 year visa will be issued. However, if your contract is for nine months, your visa will be for 9 months.

When your visa expires you need to toddle along to the Immigration Dept with a fresh employment letter and apply for an extension. These visits to Immigration are a fact of life for ex-pats

Is there information available online direct from the HK Immigration Dept?

Yes, check it out at: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas.htm

Our whole family wants to relocate to HK. What kind of visas do we need?

If one of you is able to get an employment visa, you will then be able to apply for dependant visas for your other family members. You will act as their sponsor. You can do this by also completing the relevant parts of ID (E) 936 for each family member and submitting them together with various documents to prove your residency and status. You may need to establish yourself in Hong Kong first.

We have a child older than 18 who wants to join us in HK. Do they need their own visa or can they come as a dependent?

Unmarried children under the age of 18 can be included as dependents. Those above that age need to apply for visas in their own right

I am going to be fully supported from my home church. Can I get a visa to come to HK for 1-2 years?

You will still need a sponsor in Hong Kong. Try to find out if your home church has connections in Hong Kong who would be willing to act as your sponsor. You could supply Immigration with proof of financial support from your home church so you would not have to be a financial burden to your Hong Kong sponsor.

How do our University-age children gain entrance into HK’s universities?

Non-local university admissions are handled by each university and applicants are processed as “non-JUPAS” applicants. (JUPAS is the central allocation system for high school children.) Applications need to be submitted by January-February for possible interviews in the summer (July) and entry in the autumn (September). More information is available on each university’s website. Look for the links for international or overseas applicants. For example, information for applicants to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University can be found at:

http://www.polyu.edu.hk/~aeco/public/enon_overseas.htm

What will happen after my application is successful?

When your application is successful, your sponsor will receive a sticky label visa for you to put in your passport. Then, or as soon as you take up residency in Hong Kong, you must go to Immigration Tower in Wan Chai and apply for your Identity Card. This involves filling out a form, submitting proof of your residency and visa status, getting your picture taken by Immigration and getting fingerprints taken. You then come back about four weeks later to pick up your card.

It is illegal to not carry ID in Hong Kong. If you do not have an ID card, you should carry your passport or at least a copy of your passport.

Is anyone ever not successful in their application?

We have only heard of one case and this involved a graphic designer. As I.T. is one of HK’s specialities, and graphic design doesn’t really require a native English speaker, Immigration felt that the position could be filled locally. The person applied 3 times unsuccessfully and eventually married his Cantonese girlfriend (which was his reason for coming to Hong Kong anyway). The point is that you really need to prove that you are important to Hong Kong.

How much tax will I pay in Hong Kong?

Ah, here’s the good news! The maximum income tax rate is a flat 17%. There is no tax on capital gains, interest income, dividends or income derived from outside of HK. You can earn up to $108,000 a year before you pay tax in Hong Kong.