After 150 years of being a British colony, Hong Kong
was returned to the sovereignty of China on 1 July, 1997. People were
predicting all sorts of calamities, but life in fact continued much the same
as before for the ordinary person.
Hong Kong has a magic about it. The energy of the
city is palpable. The pace is frenetic and some people say it is faster than
New York. Downtown is a mass of skyscrapers, both commercial and
residential. Most people live in small flats, work long hours and play hard.
Hong Kong attracts a certain type of expatriate who
chooses to work and live here –ambitious, talented and money-oriented (Hong
Kong is a low tax jurisdiction). These expats will do what it takes to get
what they want. Given the location of Hong Kong, many regional offices are
located here and that means many executives have a lot of regional and
international travel. Some executives travel to London or New York for
three-hour meetings! There are also the late night and very early morning
international conference calls, because the participants on the calls are in
different time zones.
Any foreigner wanting to work in Hong Kong will need
a work visa. The employing company will need to complete the necessary
paperwork to sponsor the employee. Although there are no official
limitations to receive immigration approval, a new employee should have an
undergraduate or graduate degree and a minimum of 2 years work experience.
The annual salary package should be in excess of US$30,000. The sponsoring
company must justify the need to employ a non-local person to do the job.
It is important to remember that your visa is only
valid with your sponsoring employer. If you change jobs you need to inform
immigration, submit the necessary paperwork and receive approval for the
change of sponsorship before you commence work with the new employer.
In both cases the processing time can take between
4-6 weeks. You can come to Hong Kong on a visitor’s visa and then apply for
a work visa.
The relevant authority is the Hong Kong Immigration
Department and they tend to be very helpful, professional and efficient.
Legal spouses and children (up to the age of 18) of
an employment visa holder will be issued with dependent visas. As
dependents, they are not allowed to take up any paid or unpaid work or
undertake any business activity. If dependents want to take up employment or
join a business activity they must apply to the Immigration Department for
specific permission prior to taking up that activity.
Hong Kong is known as a hub of entrepreneurship,
which encourages many people to establish their own business. Whether you
are a dependent of an employment visa holder or an individual, you must
apply for an investment visa. Again the process is not complicated and you
must prove that the business holds the potential to be of benefit to Hong
Kong.
Visas are normally valid for a one year and renewed
for two years.
In addition to a valid visa, all residents must
obtain Hong Kong identity cards, which they must have on them at all times.
Hong Kong is an international city that never
sleeps; it is also efficient and safe. Amazingly, 60% of Hong Kong is
country parks of breathtaking beauty that are easily accessible.
Hong Kong is the place for ambitious people and/or
entrepreneurs and is the gateway to China.
