[Loz12]

Hi!
Not sure if anyone can help or not? I am an Australian primary school teacher who is currently living in the UK. I have been offered a teaching position with a school in Hong Kong and we are trying to work out how my partner can accompany me.
My partner and I have been together for 8 years. He doesn't have a university degree, but he does have a certificate to teach english. I don't think he can get a work visa because he doesn't have a University degree??
I have looked at the Hong Kong Visa site and I can't find anything about obtaining a dependant visa for and unmarried partner. We are engaged so I guess if we have to bring the wedding forward a bit that is what will have to happen.
Thanks in advance for the advice!!

[jimbo]

whilst you're still 'unmarried' then he won't get a dependants visa unfortunately.

Which teaching certificate has he got? TEFL? TESOL?

If he has either of those then he shouldn't have any problems in finding work in a language centre, Some prefer you to have a degree but its not a must.

[nina_70]

Ummm...as I understand it your fiancee cannot procure a dependent visa, but he can get a Prolonged Visitor Visa to cover the period in HK prior to the formal marriage. So, you could have him apply for that one, but you still need (eventually) to get married or he would need to find a job and convert to Work Visa. I'd advise you to talk directly to the HK immigration guys about this. They're pretty helpful here and will be able to tell you for sure..

Note/ I understand the application procedure for the Prolonged Visitor Visa is a bit involved, so it may actually be easier for you to get married.

[twinnee]

Originally Posted by nina_70

Ummm...as I understand it your fiancee cannot procure a dependent visa, but he can get a Prolonged Visitor Visa to cover the period in HK prior to the formal marriage. So, you could have him apply for that one, but you still need (eventually) to get married or he would need to find a job and convert to Work Visa.

Note/ I understand the application procedure for the Prolonged Visitor Visa is a bit involved, so it may actually be easier for you to get married.

Just to add my two cents. As stated above your fiancee can try for a Prolonged Visitor Visa, but this is only for a 6 month stamp.. and just to be clear, no work allowed. He would have to do a "convert" to Work Visa as nina_70 said.
Still the paperwork isn't that bad. I have gone in with all the docs needed.. You will need bank statements, proof of being together -bills for rent, ph, travel itineraries, or mortgage would do it, & copies of your work contract in HK and passports etc but nothing that hard to get together really.

Give it a go if that is the type of visa you might be able to use for 6mths while he hunts for a job.

Also if he doesn't get a job and you run out of time, he can pop over to Macau and get a new visitor stamp for another 3 months.. and you can do this indefinitely. I know, I do the “visa run” all the time.
The HK customs dpt at the borders are really cool, and don’t give you any hassles at all.


Hay, maybe your fiancee fancies being a “kept man” for a while!!