[Alex]

hi there

My wife and I have recently married here in HK.She is Filipino and has been in HK for 15 years.I am from the UK.We are about to apply for my dependents visa and she as my sponsor as we want to live here.
Im unclear as to whether or not I can work in HK on this visa?..Also what information can you give me on applying at Immigration?What documents etc do I need to take?

Many thanks

Alex

[HKFella]

If your wife has Permanent Resident status, I believe the dependent visa will allow you to work, otherwise not - unless you are able to get an employer-sponsored work visa of your own. 15 years suggests she's PR, but better make sure.

Re applying, have read on these boards about income / net worth needed for sponsorship to succeed and tips to prove that marriage is bonafide, not one of convenience (photos, msgs/letters - before/during wedding) - sorry, better informed members will be immensely more helpful on this than I.


Also, there's another current thread which may help - try "Search" button at top left with key words (including dependent and dependant).

[Alex]

Hey thanks HKFella!

Yes she is a PR so i hope it will be ok.It's really confusing because on the threads some people say you can and some say you cant work on a dependents visa..It seems to be a grey area that is misunderstood!?
Im I right in thinking that a PR can sponsor his/her spouse to work but somebody on a dependents / working visa already can not?

If your wife is a Permanent resident and you apply for a dependant visa then you are allowed to work in Hong Kong. If your wife was on an employment visa then you could not work in Hong Kong. This is the general rule, but to obtain a dependant visa successfully there are a number of factors such as that you both have a suficient net worth and of course that your wife is able to support you as a dependant.

[HKFella]

One reason why you read confusing stuff is that all these years dependents of HK employment visa holders automatically had the right to work. Then suddenly last year the government tightened this up with new rules.

No change for those with above-mentioned dependent status before cut-ooff date of July 1, 2003. But those acquiring it from then onwards would not get automatic right to work. To work they'd need to get their own employment visas the regular way.

Another reason for confusion: this restriction and cut-off date did not apply to dependents of PRs - they still have right to work. This bit was often obscured by the loud press coverage the first kind of case got.

[Alex]

Hi all

Just to let you all know that my dependents visa was granted very quickly!..one week in fact.We took marriage photos,income proof,past phone bills from the previous year and some proof of postage from UK to HK of letters etc.
It was all done very quickly.I dont know what all the worry was about?

[lowlight]

Do you have a high net worth? PM me if you don't mind

[reei]

hi,
u know those sticker that the immigration department give you, to stick in your passport? are there any difference between the dependent visas between those that are allowed to work, and those that are are not?

[crossecottage]

My sticker says very clearly NOT PERMITTED TO WORK as do all my stamps each time I have left HK and returned. However, I am applying for a work visa in my own right, so wish me luck!!!

[crossecottage]

sorry the exact wording is "employment not permitted", oh and by the way that includes VOLUNTARY work!!!