Work Visa issues

Hello everyone,


I am currently living in the UK, but I will move soon to Hong Kong because my boyfriend was sent there to work. However, I don’t have a work visa and I would really like to work there too.


I’ve heard that to apply for a work visa in Hong Kong you need a company sponsoring you. So, do you think it would be very hard to find a company willing to do this? According to your experience, how hard was to find a company willing to sponsor you?


Because I’ve been checking some job vacancies and most of them say that you can not apply unless you have a work permit. Do you think I should apply anyway and if they call me, ask them for the possibility to sponsor me to apply for the work visa? I really don’t know how to do it or where to apply for jobs in companies that might be able to help.


I would deeply appreciate any comments, suggestions or advice you can give me. Thanks a lot and kind regards!


Maria

Chayito, it really depends what you are qualified to do. If you wanted to come over and wait as a waitress, no, you will not get a company to sponsor you, but if you have a special skill which a local cannot do, it may be possible to get a company to sponsor you.

Chayito, it really depends what you are qualified to do. If you wanted to come over and work as a waitress, no, you will not get a company to sponsor you, but if you have a special skill which a local cannot do, it may be possible to get a company to sponsor you.

Thank you very much for your replies. I am qualified. I have a bachelors degree and I just finished my master in the UK. I have worked as a Buyer for a big fashion retailer over 2 years. And that's what I would love to do over there. So I hope this would help me to compete against other people over there. I doesn't matter if it's in a junior level.



Do you know some good recruitment agencies in Hong Kong or some job's website that you can recommend me? Any tip you can give me to maximise my chances to get a job there will be more than welcome!


Thanks a lot!

Hi Chayito/Maria,


I was exactly in the same position as you 6 months ago, hence I know the drill all too well. It took me a long time to find the right job, and now am waiting for my work permit to be approved by HK Immigrations before commencing the job. My advice to you is to be patient.


There are many recruitment companies you can approach with your CV and let them know your career objectives:

1) Michael Page

2) Hudson

3) Manpower

4) Ambition

5) Drake


There are other smaller recruitment companies you could try. Get their HK contact information via googling their websites or apply through job sites:


Job Websites:

1) Monster.com.hk

2) Jobsdb.com.hk


Of course, write to hiring companies directly too, if you have any contacts or know of any particular global retail brands stationed in HK. If you don't try, you wouldn't know what opportunities are available out there. I would highly recommend for you to organize your resume now and post it online first.


I think that with your background and experience in retail, you will be able to find a suitable job rather quickly. HK is the leading capital for fashion/luxury goods in North Asia, and there are many vacancies in this industry.


Another tip for you, is that you would probably experience a culture shock as another stressor in moving to another country, especially from Europe to Asia. If you haven't been to HK before, you might want to start reading more about HK, or best to experience it first hand here.


Wishing you all the best in your job hunt and the move!



Cheers, J

Dear Janethk,


Thank you very much for your advices. They are very good tips that I will definitely try. It's nice to hear about your job.


I hope I will be as you within 6 months.


Cheers

The work visa that your boy friend has will not entitle you to be granted a visa for you to stay/work in HK. However, you can apply for a work visa by means of employment in Hong Kong. Your prospective employer will sponsor your work visa if you can arrange an employment offer.


We would require much more details about your work background/experience and educational qualifications in order to attend to your needs on your matter.


We would suggest you contact our office to arrange a brief initial meeting for an initial consultation fee of HK$2,500. The initial consultation can be by phone and/or email.




Weir & Associates

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Hong Kong

Tel : (852) 2526-1767

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Email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com

www.HongKongLaw.com/weirlaw