change of employer

Hi everyone,


I was hired by another company and i already signed an employment contract with them. It's my first time to change an employer and really confused to what really the process of the whole thing. I asked them if I should tender my resignation now that we already have a signed written agreement. They advised me not to quit my job yet so I can be retained in my current company if the work permit application is not successful. The HR has given me a letter for the ImmD stating that they want to hire me. They also want me to send a similar letter to ImmD that I wanted to apply for a new work visa along with all my documents.


I read in other posts that the old employer needs to notify the ImmD first the termination of the employment so the new employer can apply for a new work permit. Please correct me if I am wrong.


Thanks,

confused23

It depends on your new company HR's relationship with Immigration. (HK is a small place, everyone knows someone.) Officially, you new employment visa cannot be issued until ImmD has proof of your termination from previous sponsor. However, your new employer can start the process. They can check with ImmD to see if everything is in order. If the relationship is good, the Immigration officer will tell your new employer's HR that everything is fine, and just need the termination letter. Then you can go resign. It is protection for you. (I have done 2 change of employment, both were done this way.)

BTW, if there is a lot of time left on the previous visa, the Immigration dept will not give you a new stamp in your passport. With my first change of employer, I had 13 months left on the existing visa. Immigration issued me a letter saying my sponsor has changed, and the existing visa remains valid to its stated expiration date. With my second change, there was only 1 month left on the old visa, and I got a new sticker.

Thanks. Your reply is very helpful.