[Sallymarie]

Hi

I am into week 6 of waiting to hear whether I have got my work visa.

My new employer has suggested that I come out anyway and settle in before I get my visa. As I am on a local contract I will be paying all the relocation costs myself, and I feel a little wary of moving out without my visa - just in case.

I know that it is not a formality to get the visa and I guess I am assuming the worst, so not to spend money on a flight and accommodation if not needed.

Anyone been in this situation? Or any advice would be great.

Thanks, Sally

[carang]

it is illegal to start working without the visa, so i think that you are being very smart about it. it would be terrible for you to take all of the expense of moving, not to mention the upheaval to your life, only to find that your visa has been rejected!

[HKChigger]

Originally Posted by carang

it is illegal to start working without the visa, so i think that you are being very smart about it. it would be terrible for you to take all of the expense of moving, not to mention the upheaval to your life, only to find that your visa has been rejected!

Ummm she just said her company told her to come out now, never said her company asked her to start working. However, I agree it is important to be sure things are going to work out before jumping over to Hong Kong. Best of luck in getting the visa soon! Which should come soon if you are in week 6, I would call immigration maybe...just check up.

[PDLM]

Be particularly wary if your employer is a private language school - they are notorious for bringing people out here under false pretences, the visas never arrive, they pay you less than they promised for a few weeks or months of "unofficial" (i.e. illegal) work and then when pushed finally admit that they never even made a visa application in the first place and tell you to bugger off and make room for the next person who falls for their line.

So I think you're being very wise to hold off.

[sunniefaith]

Are you paying for your airfare? Or is it paid by the company? If you're paying for your own airfare, it would be wise for you to wait. Let what PDLM said, what if the visa never comes....If company is paying for the airfare, by all means come! You've got nothing to lose.

[Sallymarie]

Thanks for all replies. Yep - unfortunately I am paying for everything - Flights and accommodation. So that would add up quite quickly!

As soon as I get my visa (fingers crossed) I am ready to go, but I don't think I can justify all the money, in case it doesn't come through. I might try 'chasing' it though...

[carang]

i never said that they wanted her to work...i said that working before hand is illegal. what i meant by this is that if she is unable to work costs can add up VERY quickly. not only that, there wouldn't be much benefit to the company for her to be here earlier, except that she might have time to find her way around and "get sorted" that wouldn't be on company time.

it is a very large risk to take without that little sticker for your passport!

[MisterTanaka]

It took almost nine weeks for my wife's employment visa, and that's probably only because someone in her office called Immigration to follow up a couple of times. It finally came through in mid-January, so at six weeks, you shouldn't give up yet.

Immigration made up for it with my dependent visa, though, which came through in little more than four weeks.

Do you have an attorney who is helping you with your visa? If you do, I would as his/her advice before moving. Perhaps your new employer would consider agreeing to reimburse you for your relo costs if your visa was not approved for some reason. The company could be the reason for a visa application to be rejected...(financial standing, etc.)

[Southern Cross]

i have been waiting for my working visa for 9 weeks, somethings gotta give soon. it is very testing just waiting, not knowing.
my business here (aust) is closed, so i am between jobs. having been offered a lucrative salary and accomodation package in HK, you can imagine how keen i am to gain the visa and start working.

i will be selling the entire contents of my large suburban home and my new car, leaving behind a young cat and the most beautfiul environment ever. so, if i dont get the visa, hey its a blessing in disguise.

my main concern is MisterTanaka's post. we will be applying for my husbands dependant visa the second mine arrives... but i then only have 2-3 weeks to get my butt to HK. my heart breaks at the thought of having to leave our country seperately, especially as he has never left aust. me, many times.

im sure if they knew the stress i was under they'd fasttrack it (i wish)

my question - are dependant visas a "given"? is it true they are merely administrative? if so we will simpy leave before it comes through. throw caution to the wind!

edit - thanks to the wordly advice on this forum, we are goiong to include a letter from our attorney with his application, and with mine if i need to re-submit. best advice ever.