Nutrition in HK?

Hello there - hope you can help - this forum looks busy and interesting!


I am going to move to HK in the next 4 months (on an unmarried partner visa - my boyfriend lives and works in HK; I've visited 3 times) - so I know I won't be able to work or study...however... at some point after that I will look into changing my visa status (if I manage to get a work permit or if we, ahem, get married one day) and just wanted to get an idea about a few things.


OK - I am about to complete a qualification in nutritional therapy here in the UK. Doing a bit of research for future potential career prospects, I've found a few complementary therapy clinics and a couple of nutritional therapists in HK. My goal is to work for myself or with someone else in that field in the future (though obviously there are many things to sort out in the meantime before I could legally do that in HK). As I do not speak Chinese, my idea would be to serve the English-speaking ex-pat population.


I wonder if anybody on the forum has consulted any nutritional therapists for any health issues they've had; or if anyone can offer information e.g. what do people think of those kinds of therapies? Do people use nutritional supplements? (I've seen some information that the supplement industry is growing dramatically over there, and I've seen some familiar brands in the health shops in/near Sheung Wan.) I'm just concerned that it would be a very tough market to make a living in, being able to cater to only a small percentage of the population.


A friend of mine used to live in HK and said it might go down well (she used to go to a centre with an osteopath and all sorts of other practitioners) - but that was five years ago and I just feel a bit ignorant about the scene (and obviously a bit daunted by starting off almost inexperienced and in a totally new country/culture).


I'm basically trying to get an idea of how high the odds are stacked against me...


Your comments will be appreciated... thanks!

There are many people here looking for consultation on their diets and cooking, just start up a new shelf company on your own, then try advertising here on axpat

Cool - thanks for the information - it's encouraging! (The other nutritionists I found do advertise on Axpat.)

Dear Beerboy,


Yes - good point and one I have thought about - and need to find out more about before I have any hope of feeling like I can target myself adequately.


I'm pretty sure I found these two through this site/forum so I hope I'm not breaking any rules (I don't know them personally so can't vouch for if they are still in HK or if they would suit your needs):


http://www.tuschernutri.com/


and

http://www.holistic-central.com/site/therapies/nutritional-consulting/


though I am sure there are nutritionists in your home country (or here in the UK) who do consultations by phone (or Skype) if you are keen.


I also found a Hong Kong Nutrition Association (they have a website) - I tried to contact them but never got a reply. They seem to be an organisation for nutritionists and dieticians. You might have more luck contacting them as a local resident - maybe they could recommend someone to you.


Good luck to you, too, and thanks for your encouragement.

This question was also asked in the work and visa section and the answer will still be the same. No visa - no work! You will need to either get married to apply for a dependant visa allowing you to work or get a working visa in your own right through being sponsored by a company here.


And as mentioned, myself and another person who had been here for many years know no one who has looked for this type of service. As mentioned you'd have to be at a premium price in the market and hope that people who have commented above would be willing to pay that cost for you to operate here.


So your first hurdle before you even begin would be visa. Second would be trying to get into an extremely limited market. A few people does not make a business!

Yes - I understand the visa issue and only mentioned it for background. I work in UK-based immigration so I have an idea of how these things work - an application doesn't guarantee a positive result.


I am using Lloyden immigration advisors - I am reluctant to mention their name but they seem very professional and are requesting the types of documentary evidence that seem appropriate; I am not sure if you are replying because you work in HK-bound immigration or if you are suggesting that there are agencies there that 'scam' clients.


If I get the visa I will be in HK for some months on a visa that doesn't allow me to work (and I have no intention of working in that time - just getting used to the place and seeing what future work opportunities I might have when I do change my visa category). I am interested in working in the field of nutrition and that is why I asked - but it is helpful to know the level of awareness about it - so far 2 negative and 2 positive responses via my posts and other threads. I might end up doing something else but it is worth a try. Thanks, everyone!