[downradio]

Hi everyone,

I'm look for ideas/suggestions/help! ...here's my situation - I'm leaving for Hong Kong in a few days to live with my girlfriend (who is a Hong Kong citizen/national). She's got a job, and an apartment for us, etc... I'm going in on a 3 month tourist Visa (from Canada) but of course I'll need to find work sooner than later. (I'll probably be looking to teach English).

As far as I can tell, my options are this:

1) Find an employer to sponsor me
2) Marry my girlfriend, and get Resident status

Which route would be the fastest to get me legally working? Can I work with a marriage certificate as proof of my residency application, or not? Or if I take the employer sponsorship route, can I work while my visa application is being processed? Please - any help on this subject would be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much!
Eric

[shri]

If you're married, you automatically can get a dependant's visa (a few formalities are required... and assuming that your wife can prove that she can support you).

Read the forums, plenty of stuff here from people in similar situations.

[nivantj]

Obviously the marraige route woule be faster and of course you cant work untill you have legal status in HK.

[downradio]

I really appreciate the info... Just a couple of last questions ... If we do go the marriage route, I can work as soon as I have a dependent visa (my sponsor being a permanent resident), right? How long after the actual marriage would I be legally allowed to work (assuming we put through all the paperwork as fast as possible?)

Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Eric

[shri]

You would have to ask immigration this ... enquiry@immd.gov.hk their processing times can vary and can take over a month or two, if they need more information.

By the way, the dependant visa is not automatic. Your wife does have to document that she can support you as a dependant.