[alyssa milano]

Hello

I came across the threads over the last days and couldn`t find an answer so i thought i would post, hope it`s alright and i didn`t missed it.

So I want to move to hk to join my girlfriend`s who`s living and working there... having a kind of specialised work i know i won`t find anything in an existing company there so i thought i would do some freelance from there... My company now is willing to keep working with me so everything sounds really cool... until i found out that freelancing in hk when you`re a foreigner seems more or less impossible

i do got the point about that, as i wont be working for any company there, nor employing people and everything..

so i thought, maybe i could find a company i would work for, like an agent or something, then my actual UK company gives the job to this HK company and then it employs me do to the job.

does it sounds wicked or possible? i`m not a mastermind so i`m pretty sure it`s been thought already over and over but it`s sounds alright to me right now...

if so, do you know any company doing this?

thanks a lot! and sorry for the long post

[PDLM]

No chance. Sorry.

[alyssa milano]

do you mean no chance i could find a company who would do that or no chance cause it`s illigal?

[PDLM]

I mean no chance that Immigration would approve an Employment Visa on such a basis.

You might be able to get a visa under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme if you score enough points. I haven't seen any feedback recently from one of the regulars here (vm_linuz) who was going through this process.

[lionrock88]

PDLM, is it really impossible?

Alyssa, first and foremost, you have to meet the below criteria to qualify for a HK employment visa.

General Employment Policy (GEP)

Eligibility Criteria

20. Applicants who are not non-local graduates but possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR may apply to come to work under the GEP.

21. An application for a visa/ entry permit to take up employment under the GEP may be favourably considered if:

1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
2. the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
3. there is a genuine job vacancy;
4. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or working experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and
5. the remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the HKSAR.

If you do, then you may be able to structure an arrangement with a HK-based body-shop/consulting firm who employs you and then "seconds" you to the UK client.

However, note that the UK client must be able to pay a fee for your services which would include your salary commensurate with Hong Kong market levels as well as enough of a margin on top, to compensate the cost of putting you on the payroll of the body shop.

If you're talking about a short 3-6 months freelance project, then it's probably not going to work. But if you're talking about a year long, or even longer project, then it should be possible.

[alyssa milano]

thanks a lot for your replies
pdlm>i`ve just been told about that, i`m going to try it, thanks!

lionrock88>i think i`m alright with the criterias, exept the "3. there is a genuine job vacancy;"
cause i`m basically creating one in this case...

I don`t think my company will be willing to pay more but i`m fine with cutting some of my salary to pay the fee... I was planning more over a year anyway, problem was that in illustration work or any art is pretty often use on a freelance basis, as most company don`t require a cover illustration each day... but i bet a lot of other job now work that way.

things goes more complicated than i thought!

[ebow3d]

What kind of illustration do you do?
I've just received my work permit, no problem. I'm an architectural 3d visualizer. Jobs involving arts are usually easy to get work permits for.

[vmlinuz]

Originally Posted by PDLM

I mean no chance that Immigration would approve an Employment Visa on such a basis.

You might be able to get a visa under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme if you score enough points. I haven't seen any feedback recently from one of the regulars here (vm_linuz) who was going through this process.

Short update for fascinated people:
I submitted my application around a month ago, Immigration are chasing me for extra paperwork (like a detailed reference from an employer from 8 years ago which no longer exists), I missed the August processing round, and they issued 210 approvals-in-principle last month, which was a significant increase over earlier quarters.

[alyssa milano]

ebow3d>i`m doing concept art for a game company... but did you got your work permit with the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme? i hope they`ll like my doodles then
vmlinuz>thanks for your input, if i get it right there`re doing a round each 3 months?

I`m just having a problem with the work experience part of the general point test...

Not less than 2 years' graduate or specialist level work experience .. do they mean At least 2 years work experience?

do they count 6 months internships as work experience?

If i don`t tick this one i can`t make it to 80... damnit

edit:just found out for my internship question...it`s not working... teeh i`m gonna have to find another way...

[saun-fam]

not the best reason to get married (seriously!)- but if you were married and had a dependent visa, you could work with no restrictions.