It can be difficult to apply for a work visa in Hong Kong. Most jobs that were once open to western expatriates are now being performed by mainland immigrants and local professionals. However, armed with knowledge and the right support, you can still apply for a work visa in Hong Kong and obtain it successfully so you can work legally. Here are tips that can help you properly apply for a Hong Kong work visa and increase your chances of your application becoming successful:
Consider accepting a job offer from a company in Hong Kong. This is applicable if you have already been offered the opportunity to work in a company that is based there. Doing so makes the Immigration Service reduce the amount of questioning they will do regarding your intentions for working in Hong Kong.
No job offer? Go to Hong Kong first. Often times, you need to be there before you look for a job. Once you land a post, you can already apply for the work visa, but you need to leave the country and re-enter to activate it.
Your company should help you with the application. Once you have the job offer, the company must work with you to apply for the Hong Kong work visa. Most applications tend to be accepted from this point onward, but certain applicants may be rejected due to the guidelines of the Immigration Service.
Know and understand the basic guidelines of the Hong Kong Immigration Service. Applicants must have a graduate degree, but they can be accepted if they have enough technical experience in a particular area. Moreover, they must have relevant experience in the job that they want. The salary offered must meet local professional standards, which is typically at HK,000 (minimum). The company must prove to the immigration service that the position you are applying for cannot be filled by a local and that you have the skill that is in short supply in Hong Kong. It is also important for an applicant to be able to contribute to the economy, too.
A work visa application usually takes between seven and eight weeks to accomplish, but there could be further delays if they have further questions to you and your employer.
Things to do once you get the visa. After getting your Hong Kong work visa, the Immigration will send a sticker, which you must put on your passport. It must then be validated when you enter Hong Kong, and this acts as the activation of your work visa. If you are already in the country, you need to go to Macau for a day, so you can re-enter and validate your work visa.
About the Author
Empire World Consultancy, among the leading immigration Consultancy agency in Hong Kong. Our friendly and professional team of Hong Kong immigration consultants have years of experience assisting clients from all over the world. We're so confident about the service we provide that we offer a no visa, no fee guarantee. We can proudly say that we have so far a 100% success rate. So whether you're applying for an employment visa or seeking permanent residency in Hong Kong, Empire World can recommend the best route for you.
Contact Details:
Business Address – Suite 1904, 19/F, Tower 1, China Hong Kong City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
