[Raphael78]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a regular employee for a Hong Kong company, but am considering taking a full time consulting job for a company based in Shenzhen.

I'd like to continue living in Hong Kong.

I'm wondering what my options are regarding visas?

My work is extremely specialized, and it is for a mainland Chinese company, so I don't think this is going to reduce available jobs for Hong Kong citizens. On the plus side, I'd like to continue paying taxes here and spending money (which contributes to the HK economy right?).

So the way I see it this only has a positive impact on Hong Kong, but I'm not sure if the immigration department sees it that way? Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thanks!

[Boris]

I take it your here on a work visa and do not have permanent ID or working here on a dependent visa ?

Is your ultimate goal getting a permanent ID ?

Do you rent or own property in HK and if renting are you over 1 yr of your contract?

If no to the second the answer is pretty easy ( if you have RTL ) I would have thought.

[Raphael78]

Hi Boris,

Permanent ID would be nice but it is not really necessary.

I only have a temporary HKID and am indeed on a work visa.

Regarding housing, I just bought an apartment this week

Dependent visa is always an option, but not quite sure if I'm ready to make the leap

Any suggestions?

Thanks again!

[Boris]

To work in China you are going to have to have an " Alien Employment Permit " issued by the company. So your work visa is invalid UNLESS you have your own Ltd company here and will contract your consulting from that company. In which case its easy to just transfer the visa from your present to your own NEW company.

Payment of your service is paid into your HK account by invoice from HK. The good news here is that its not taxable - the reason being that the service was given OUTSIDE of HK. You can go back and forth as you like and your ID is valid.


Also, legitimately, with your permit, you work in China and can be " resident " there. You can then pay tax in China. You can give up the visa and effectively ( if you have RTL ) be a tourist. Immigration might question you , but your not working in HK and its not illegal for a NON visa holder to own property here.

The pisser is that you surrender, with your visa, your ID Card . So the trip becomes tedious not using the " starting gates " and your passport is going to fill up quicker than an pint glass at a beer festival.

Unless, like me, you have your property near to the border and your work is close to the border also, you will quickly find it tedious to go back and forth even for a week so maybe you can do a WalMart and get a bedsit apt on the China side and have HK as your weekend retreat.

The best way IMHO is the first solution. Make a company and don't pay tax !

[Raphael78]

Thank you for the info Boris!

OK, let's see if I understand this correctly. Are you saying I can set up my own company and then sponsor myself for a Hong Kong work permit?

I contacted a few different visa assistance companies and they said that it is extremely difficult to set up a company in HK to do freelance work, since it will be difficult to demonstrate the benefit to the HK economy.

What do you think?

Thanks again!