[tg8]

I've been offered a job whilst in HK on a visitor visa (180 day, granted on arrival).

The company have given me the forms to apply for the Employment visa, should I be leaving HK during the application process or can it all be done here?

Does either method stand a better chance of success?

Many thanks for any help...

It is best that you stay overseas and submit your case as an overseas employment visa application and then come in to Hong Kong once your visa has been approved.

If you do it in country then they will likely question why are you here already.

Let us know if you need any assistance with the process

[tg8]

Ok, thanks that is interesting.

I am in Hong Kong already, mainly because my fiancee is a HK PR and she got a job over here. Are you saying that it would be better if I left before submitting anything to immigration?

I was just about to email a query to immigration too asking how I should proceed, I guess that would blow the whole thing open.

[alien]

Originally Posted by tg8

Ok, thanks that is interesting.

I am in Hong Kong already, mainly because my fiancee is a HK PR and she got a job over here. Are you saying that it would be better if I left before submitting anything to immigration?

I was just about to email a query to immigration too asking how I should proceed, I guess that would blow the whole thing open.

If your fiancee is a HK PR (and assuming she is a HK Chinese) then you should get married to her. You can then change aplly for a dependant visa her being your sponsor. That grants you the right to work without the hassle of the working visa apllication.

[tg8]

It's all booked, but not until next July. She is HK British I suppose, but grew up here so has ID with permanent resident's status.

[Expatriate]

Originally Posted by tg8

I've been offered a job whilst in HK on a visitor visa (180 day, granted on arrival).

The company have given me the forms to apply for the Employment visa, should I be leaving HK during the application process or can it all be done here?

Does either method stand a better chance of success?

That happens all the time. You can choose either. My guess is, the faster chance of success is, when you stay here.

Sure they will ask questions, as to why you didn't apply for a visa before, but chance is that the company has already a sample letter for you that you can use. Otherwise just stick to the truth.

I came here twice and in both cases everything went smoothly.

When you apply from abroad, you need to go to the Chinese consulate. And that one might be a long way from home.

Go to the immigration department in Wanchai, and ask them about the best way:

"Well Sir, I need your advice. I know it's against the rules, but I was just offered a job here. Do I need to go back to the other side of the world, or can I stay here while you process the application?"

Good Luck.

[Expatriate]

Originally Posted by tg8

I was just about to email a query to immigration too asking how I should proceed, I guess that would blow the whole thing open.

Go there in person. Written statements are strictly according to the rules.

Going there in person also means you really care. And the officer can have a look at you. Personal contact is very important in this part of the world.

[Levi]

You don't need to leave HK. So don't worry about that.

The EXACT same thing happened to me. I was in HK on a visitor visa, did an interview, and was offered the job. I went to the Immigration Office (Wan Chai) and applied myself.

You'll need the following (and please forgive me if I left something out; you can PM me if you want and I'll dig up what old documents I have to give you a better idea):

1. copy of your passport ID page and copy of the page with your entry stamp into HK (i.e. showing when and how you entered)

2. copy of a SIGNED (both by you and by the HR rep of the company) employment letter from your employer

3. copy of a signed contract, if this is separate from the employment letter (IMPORTANT: the contract needs to explain such details as end date, salary, paid holiday scheme, medical benefits, etc)

4. a copy of your university diploma(s) and transcripts from your studies

5. a copy of your CV and other professional credentials

6. documentation or letters from your employer stating why they hired you instead of hiring a local, if the university attempted to recruit a local or not, what skills you will offer, what your exact job responsibilities will be (i.e. what are you going to do for the company), etc, etc. Actually, there is a checklist that you can get from Immigration stating exactly all the info you need from your employer. I can't remember the form number right now...

7. a passport sized photo... I think. Better to have one or 2 on you just in case.

Hope this helps. PM me if you need more details, and I'll try to find my old paperwork.

By the way, even though Immigration's official process time is 4-6 weeks, I got mine in less than 2. Don't know why. I think it just depends on how complete your information is that you present to them.

Best,
L