[cmilas]

I am a U.S.A citizen married to a permanent resident of Hong Kong. We would both like to move back to Hong Kong eventually to find jobs there. My question is that since I am married to a HK citizen, do I need to get a visa to work there? If so, what kind? I'll probably get a job teaching english over there since I am a native english speaking gwailo and will have a Masters degree in TESL. Any help is appreciated!

[PDLM]

On coming to HK you could apply for and certainly (as certain as things are) be granted a Dependent Visa which would allow you to work without you or your employer having to engage in any further paperwork.

[cmilas]

How long is a dependant visa good for? Does it need to be renewed annually, every 5 years, etc???

[steven78]

In my understanding, your dependant visa is valid as long as you're married to your spouse who's a HK resident.
If this marriage breaks up and you divorce, this visa will become invalid, and apparently you'll need to change your status (work visa...etc)

This is what I heard! I'm not quite sure about that, so it's better to double check it with Immigration Department HK.

[jaykay]

First dependant visa is granted for a year and then needs to be renewed. The renewal will be between 1 and 3 years depending on your nationality/circumstances.

[imangie]

could anyone change a visitor visa to a work permit when he is offered a job while he's still on visitor visa?

[PDLM]

Yes - you can certainly apply for a change of status from Visitor to Employment. Many people do this. Whether the application is granted depends on whether Immigration feel the role is suitable for a visa.

[sunniefaith]

When you get your work visa, you need to leave the country to get it 'turned on'.

[imangie]

thank you so much for the quick responses. i was too worried if my boyfriend has to get the job offer first in UK (worrying he won't be able to go for the interviews etc.).
so does it mean if he is granted a work permit, he has to do a quick trip (maybe to shenzhen/ macau) then back to HK again with the work permit it'll be alright?
when he first arriving HK, does he need to show the return ticket to the immigration officer? (cos he's planning to get on way ticket only)/ and couldnt let the officer to know that he's planning to look for a job?

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by sunniefaith

When you get your work visa, you need to leave the country to get it 'turned on'.

Not necessarily. You can apply for an Employment Visa in two ways. If you apply from within HK then you should apply for "Change of Status" to Employment, and in that case you do not have to leave HK. If you apply from outside HK then you shouldn't be here anyway, so yes you need to leave to activate it!