[TylerElls]

Hi all,

I am a 27 y/o American. It looks like I will be going to HongKong for a few months starting in Feb 2008 and I have a lot of questions!

First, I will be traveling to the mainland also and am worried about learning Cantonese and Mandarin both. I understand in HK a high % of people speak English also. If I am to do business here, will it be necessary to learn Cantonese also? or is there the feeling of "learn the language or leave" among business/govt?

Second, can I focus on just speaking and the "romanicized" aspects or are most signs, etc, useing the traditional characters. I ask for both HK and mainland china.

Third, if I don't want to stay in a hotel during my stay, do I need a visa to rent an apartment. I understand I do need a visa if I am to "move" there, but is that considered the same as renting an apartment while there for tourism? Also, if it is required to have a moving visa, is it possible to have your status changed while in HK so that I could rent an apartment after a few weeks in the hotel?

I know I'll have a lot more questions. Thanks in advance!

Tyler Ellsworth

[Alby]

Originally Posted by TylerElls

Hi all,

I am a 27 y/o American. It looks like I will be going to HongKong for a few months starting in Feb 2008 and I have a lot of questions!

First, I will be traveling to the mainland also and am worried about learning Cantonese and Mandarin both. I understand in HK a high % of people speak English also. If I am to do business here, will it be necessary to learn Cantonese also? or is there the feeling of "learn the language or leave" among business/govt?

Second, can I focus on just speaking and the "romanicized" aspects or are most signs, etc, useing the traditional characters. I ask for both HK and mainland china.

Third, if I don't want to stay in a hotel during my stay, do I need a visa to rent an apartment. I understand I do need a visa if I am to "move" there, but is that considered the same as renting an apartment while there for tourism? Also, if it is required to have a moving visa, is it possible to have your status changed while in HK so that I could rent an apartment after a few weeks in the hotel?

I know I'll have a lot more questions. Thanks in advance!

Tyler Ellsworth

Hey Tyler,

The % of English speaking people is high in both places.

There are a few discussions here on geoexpat regrading language ...but I favor Mandarin.

Road/Traffic Signs are in both Chinese and English that I have seen so far... signs for restaurants and stores vary.

I would suggest looking into service apartment options or flatshare.

[Swell]

You mentioned "If I am to do business here". Technically, you are not allowed to work in HK or look for employment whilst on a tourist visa.

Re languages, you can get by with English in HK and major Chinese cities, but if you need to be in the sticks in mainland China, you will need an intepreter to conduct business.

[HKChigger]

Originally Posted by Swell

You mentioned "If I am to do business here". Technically, you are not allowed to work in HK or look for employment whilst on a tourist visa.

Re languages, you can get by with English in HK and major Chinese cities, but if you need to be in the sticks in mainland China, you will need an intepreter to conduct business.

Actually with a tourist visa you are allowed to do business in Hong Kong for the same amount of time as a normal tourist visa for your passport lasts. But, you must be paid overseas, and be here to either attend trainings or in meetings only. You are also allowed to work as a pilot and a few other jobs without additional visas.

But, you are right for the most part most folks here for any type of work need a visa to do so.

BTW as a serious question where are you guys going in the mainland where you find people that speak English? (Besides 5 star resorts, Beijing, Shanghai etc)

[TylerElls]

Thanks for the replies!

I should clarify the business part. I work for an energy exploration/investment company and will probably be spending 3+ months over there to make some contacts and evaluate the possibility of doing business in mainland China. I'll be starting in Hong Kong, then heading to mainland China for a few months in each place potentially.

I'm not going there to open a business, just to study, evaluate and have meetings.

[PDLM]

That won't be a problem on a Visitor Visa.