Help and advice needed please.

I am currently doing my exams in financial planning (CF1-CF6), with the idea of relocating to HK. I aim to have them completed by October. I am a single parent with two children to put into school. I have been looking through all the job websites, and there seem to be plenty of positions available, however I am unsure of certain things. If anyone could answer these questions, I would be most grateful.


1. They ask for a certain number of years work experience, but not whether it is in the specified field. Would it be in the field you are applying for?


2. If they dont specify that they want Hong Kong residents, does that mean that they would consider sponsoring candidates?


3. The salaries seem to be very low, althoughI appreciate that commission is payable. Without having to rely on commission, as I'm sure there wont be very much of that (if any at all), while going through training, how would I pay rent and school fees?


4. What would be the liklihood of receiving housing assistance and school fees assistance, bearing in mind that I will have the qualification but no experience? (Although I have done admin for an IFA for the last 4 years).


Thank you, C.

Hi durbsgirl77. It is expensive to rent an apartment big enough for a small family close to the CBD, but if you live in NT or on an island, it's not too bad. If job ads don't specify they are for HK residents: it depends on where you are reading them - they could still be just for HK residents. School fees for English-speaking kids are humungous. Very expensive. Your best bet is to get a job that pays a housing and education allowance. Without it, you would really struggle on just a basic income. Years of experience would probably only count if they are in the field in which you want to work. My personal advice would be to get some experience where you are first -- at least 3 years -- before applying overseas. Entry level incomes seem to be quite low here in HK.

Thanks for your replies guys, it doesn't paint the nicest picture though or the most stable :(

I do have a fair idea of the prices of everything, as I come on holiday to HK every year (my family lives there). I have been trying to figure out a way of getting in for a while now....I guess I should have stayed put when I was there pre 97! lol


I didn't realise turn-over was as bad as that, thanks for the heads up Phobia Chan.

hi - it will be tough, but not impossible, for the first few years. It'd be hard for you to get an expat package with housing and education allowances. But if you have family in HK, and are not looking for a posh lifestyle, I think you can live on a local package. That will put you in job competition with locals and you will have the edge with your CF exams done. Once you have experience, and assuming you perform well, then the income will take off. Good luck!

Thank you HKhereIcome. It is good to know that I will have an edge over the locals regarding my CF exams. I guess the question is...which I completely forgot about first time round.....will it be enough of an edge to gain sponsorship?


Once in, I could make use of my TEFL on week-ends to ease up things on the purse strings?

Do you mean immigration sponsorship? I've found HK to be very open to immigrants - in fact if you are a "quality migrant", you don't need sponsorship or even a job offer to move to HK. Go to: http://www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/workinghk/index.htm#p2

and click on the "quality migrant admission scheme" link, take the test and see if you qualify. I'm guessing you are 30 or 31 years of age? That gives you 30 points. Plus the CF, another 30 points. And you have family in HK, more points. 10 points for your kids.

It's ridiculously easy - I took the test for fun, and could move to HK - try it!

WOW! I didn't think it would be that easy. I passed easily. To be honest I forgot about the 'quality migrant' scheme. I was worried that my lack of experience would hold me back on an employment visa.You were spot on, thank you so much. Another silver lining to getting in that way would be that if I subsequently got a job I hated, I wouldn't need to stay in it, simply to satisfy the conditions of my visa. Brilliant. :)