[Malanna]

Hi,

We are considering a move to HK from Australia. The company views it as a local rather than expat position.

1. What are the 'norms' in terms of relocation assistance? Even though it's not 'expat' should we still expect business class flights, 1st months accommodation, tax assistance etc? Roughly how much should we budget for relocation?

2. Can you suggest any good serviced apartments for our first month - somewhere central to use as a base for looking around for somewhere more permanent?

3. Any recommendations for reputable English speaking agents who can show us around different areas for rental accommodation?

Thanks!

[rebekah]

Malanna,

My husband, too, was hired as a local, so no full expat package for us; we are coming form the US in a few weeks, so i cant give that much advice, only tell you what his company provides, and what has been told to me.

I have been told it is one of the better packages for a local hire, but have nothing to base that on myself, so i don't know if it is true...but regardless, here are the details:

we get business class flight for a 5 day preview trip ( to find housing etc) we got hotel accommodation at the four seasons as well as a food stipend ($40USD/pp/day) for those days and our travel days. we had a consultant show us housing as well as give us an orientation to HK on this trip.

when we arrive:
2 months company housing at four seasons place (i believe the company rents the apartment long term and places its employees there as needed on a short term basis)

housing stipend (don't know exact amount, somewhere around 30k hkd)

settling in assistance (help with lease review, bank accounts, HKID card, utilities set up, etc.)

Agent fees paid by company for leasing apartment, air shipment of 550 lb. and container of 20 ft for household goods relocation (however, we exchanged the container shipment for a land shipment to my parents home since we have a US king size bed that would NOT fit in HK) and 100 lbs excess baggage on the flight.

I think that is mostly it.

oh, language training, i think we each get 240 hours or something close to that.

[Malanna]

Thanks Rebakah, that's very useful. Certainly more overall assistance than we are currently being offered. It's great that you're getting some help with HKID, bank accounts etc plus language training.
So far everything has been left to us to sort out which is pretty hard when it's all such an unknown! We've been offered GBP10k for the whole move to include flights, initial months accommodation, shipping, fees etc. From what other people have posted, this seems a bit on the low side?
Anyway, good luck with your move and hope you enjoy HK!

[rebekah]

oh they also gave us 5000 USD incidental/miscellaneous expense bonus.

regardless of what they give, i think you should consider the move, as you can see, everyone on the board loves it in HK. Hope you can make the best choice for you!

[mjk]

Originally Posted by Malanna

We are considering a move to HK from Australia. The company views it as a local rather than expat position.

Originally Posted by rebekah

My husband, too, was hired as a local, so no full expat package for us

I think it very much depends on the position you or your partner are taking up in the company and most importantly what you call a local contract. Is a contract with so many benefits still a local contract just because it was signed in HK? Can you actually compare it with a real "local contract" (which I understand is the question here.) I have seen "expat packages" with less benefits than you are being offered.

If you want another comparison, my company also offers "local contracts" to everybody they send to HK, this means for them:
- one way economy flight to HK for you and your partner (or kids should you have any)
- free shipment of your furniture and belongings
- salary increase of X% compared from where you come from to make up for higher living costs (which is in no way an overall salary increase)
- plus you can claim the property agent fee (once) and the visa application fees.

No help whatsoever in paperwork, or other financial benefits. Only expenses that can absolutely not be avoided due to the move.

What I want to say, there is no formula, it just depends what you can accept in your current living situation, why you want to move, and how badly you want to come to HK.

[mylimbo]

i just relocated here myself but my package is very minimal, 1 mth accomodation in a service apartment, relocation of belongings including my dog and work permit application. Since I'm single i'm not too fussed. However if you need an english speaking agent for housing, i can recommend the one i used. PM me if you need more info.

Good luck!

[rebekah]

The main difference for us is that we are not considered expats in that we do not get flights home 4 times annually.

also, our pet relocation will be at our own cost

edited to add: also, we do not get a COLA, just the monthly housing stipend. We know it is a great package, which is why we jumped at the chance.

[Malanna]

Thanks so much to you all for your input. It's very helpful.

Yes - I guess there are many shades of grey for the 'local' definition. In fact I think our offer is very generous vs a true local!

mjk - the one you describe is pretty much identical to what we're considering so thanks for that. So does your company leave the visa applications up to the employee? We've been offered for my husband to get a work visa and for us to sort out my visa. From a purely logistical perspective I would have thought it would save time all around to apply for both at the same time, but I'm sure we'll figure it out!

mylimbo - will PM for agent details.

Thanks again.

[climber07]

Originally Posted by rebekah

The main difference for us is that we are not considered expats in that we do not get flights home 4 times annually.

also, our pet relocation will be at our own cost

edited to add: also, we do not get a COLA, just the monthly housing stipend. We know it is a great package, which is why we jumped at the chance.

I'm not sure where you got the 4 flights home a year being a "standard" expat deal. It may have been accurate a while ago, but most people I know get one flight back a year (possibly two) with their package.

[rebekah]

That is the company policy where my husband works; those on an expat package get 4 flights home per annum. that is really the only difference, from what I gather. Of course they won't fly us home, since HK is now home.
ETA: I don't know the time limits on those, just what we were told by HR. but I do know that when he was in Japan he got a flight home every 6 weeks or something, with a day or two off. never really took it as he had too much work to do in the home office.