[london_girl]

My boyfriend has just been offered a job in Hong Kong starting in 8 weeks.

I have no idea where to start proceedings for moving out to HK, Visa applications, searching for accomodation or looking for a job myself.

Do i need to apply for a Visa before i go?

The company he will be working for are putting us up in a hotel for 2 weeks when we get there and then we need to search for accomodation.. Will we need references?

What is the NHS service like and will i be able to get for example a repeat prescription of my pill?

All these questions and i am sure there will be more.. If you can help at all I would be extremely grateful..

Thanks..

Alys

[london_girl]

Paul, Thanks for your quick reply..

I am very interested however my boyfriend will be working in Kowloon.

Where is Tung Chung in relation..

Is there a HK equivalent to streetmap.co.uk?

Thanks
Alys

[saltwater]

www.centamap.com will give you an idea of the layout of the place. Basically Tung Chung is on an Island out near the Airport... a bit of a hike from HK / Kowloon but very well connected with express trains, freeways etc.

you can search the other threads for specific working Visa requirements, you won't need one before you get here but you won't be allowed to work until a company sponsors you for one.

as for searching for places you can start with www.gohome.com.hk.

the medical care here is world class. you won't have any trouble finding a (western style) doctor who can answer any of your questions when you get here.

[TOOTS]

Hi Alys

You sound like me when I had this daunting task in May 2005 with all my questions on Geoexpat. I'll try to help, but there are many other more experienced people here than me that can offer additional advice.

Lets look at this systematically:

1. Where is your boyfriend working for starters, this will give an indication of where you want to live. Ask him for the area or address.

2. How long does he want to spend traveling to work - this will help indicate if you want to live close or further away from job.

3. Finding accomodation, we found our service apt. whilst in the UK, so we didn't have to stay at a hotel, but there are very good sources here in Geoexpat, or you can try www.gohome.com.hk. Plus when you get here, in free mags like HK Magazine there are adverts as well.

4. Visa - you don't need one, you get given a 6 months tourist visa when you pass through immigration. As for boyfriend, he'll probably have a work visa sent over to the UK, which he'll stick in his passport and upon entry into HKG it will be stamped for validation when he passes through immigartion. As for you, you can't work with a tourist visa, but if you find a job and get sponsorship, your company will do the leg work for you. But say in 6 mths you don't find a job, you can take a day trip to Macau, and upon entry get another 6 mths visa for HKG.

5. Work - you can look at various sites and apply from the UK, but it's not worth it, as recruitment agencies don't really bother with you until you land here on HKG soil. It depends on what work you're doing, but I only know of financial recruitment agencies.

6. As for references, the new flat we're moving to only asked for work contract and business card - so boyfriend will supply this.

7. Yes, I asked about that question on NHS. No, there's no repeat prescription here, you just see a local doctor, and you don't necessarily have to see one near your address catchment area (like in UK). I have a HKID card and work medical care, so it's covered, but before I had medical cover, one visit cost £20 (inc consultation and medicine), but without a HKID card I don't know how much it would have been. You'll just have to bring a lot of pills here to help cover you for as long as poss and find a source here whilst you live here. You can ask for bulk supply at UK GP's on repeat prescription, some might given you a 3-6 mths supply.

I think that's covered what you asked, but feel free to ask more.

Geoexpat members - if I've got anything wrong please correct me.

Good luck and hope this helped in any way!!
Rgds
Toots

[KnowItAll]

Had to delete that advert. Sorry, we don't allow soliciting on the forums.

[london_girl]

Toots,

Thanks for all of your info..

It is a massive organisation task -also have the hassle of renting out our mortaged flat in London too!

In answer to you Q's:

1. My boyf will be working at Kowloon Cricket Club - 10 Coz's Road (www.kcc.org.hk)

2. I doubt he would want to travel far as he will be working 6 days a week... however i will not want abig commute to my work (if/when i find it either) so somewhere in between would be good? any ideas?

3. His work will put us up in a hotel for 2-4 weeks when we get there and then we can find accomodation etc. on arrival.. however i have been looking at website etc.. just not sure on locations.

4. great news about the Visa.. however i cannot afford to not work for 6months.. is it hard to get a company to sponsor me for a working visa?

5. financial recruitment agencies sounds good - please pass details.
I curently work for HSBC Bank HQ on the trade floor in Project/PA Support.

6. great

7. Well tell a white lie and tell my doc i am going travelling for a year and see if he will prescribe me a years worth then..

Fantastic to have someone in the same position helping out..

Any extra help/advice would be fantastic.

Alys

[PDLM]

4. If you are not a graduate and don't have any specific skills then it may be quite hard to get a company to sponsor you and immigration to agree the application.

7. If you simply mean the contraceptive pill rather than any other medication then it is not a prescription drug here - you can get it in any pharmacy, and coming from the UK there is a very high chance you will be able to get the same brand.

[london_girl]

I went to university in UK for a year and then started working and didnt want to go back.. therefore i dont have a degree..

qualifications wise i have my A Levels and thats it..

However i do work for HSBC currently which i thought may put me in good stead..

Is there any way you can work for cash in hand eg. without a working visa.. or does that not happen at all?

[KnowItAll]

>> Is there any way you can work for cash in hand eg. without a working visa.. or does that not happen at all?

Possible but illegal for both you and the employer.

Don't push the discussion.

[JJexpat]

If you can arrange a transfer with HSBC, that might be a good way to go (do you speak Cantonese?). Otherwise, check out English language teaching, but this is not as easy as it seems. Helps to be young, though!

Kowloon Cricket Club is in Jordan, a very nice area - you might also consider Prince Edward especially toward Kowloon Tong. It will come down to money--these areas are not cheap, but there are less expensive places to be found that are quite nice - people tend to want expats as tenants.