[vmlinuz]

I'm pretty sure you meant http://www.investhk.gov.hk not investhk.gov.com...

[Muse]

Hi Lizzie@HK..has it been a straightforward process in applying for the business investment visa? I've been told that it takes months for it to be approved with several in person interviews etc...especially when it comes to setting up a small shop. I've not actually applied yet, but intend to soon. By the way, I also found investhk very helpful...another place that is helpful is that SME organisation...SUCCESS, I think it's called.

[KnowItAll]

One thing. Do keep in mind that you don't want to share your best business ideas and plans with these govt groups. They're not under non-disclosure.

[Lizzie@HK]

Originally Posted by vmlinuz

I'm pretty sure you meant http://www.investhk.gov.hk not investhk.gov.com...

yes, that's right

[Lizzie@HK]

Originally Posted by Muse

Hi Lizzie@HK..has it been a straightforward process in applying for the business investment visa? I've been told that it takes months for it to be approved with several in person interviews etc...especially when it comes to setting up a small shop. I've not actually applied yet, but intend to soon. By the way, I also found investhk very helpful...another place that is helpful is that SME organisation...SUCCESS, I think it's called.

for me, what was long was to make the business plan. Now, I'm waiting for the immigration answer. InvestHK told me that there is usually no interview and it takes the same time as for working visa: 4 to 6 weeks once the file is given to the immigration. It may be different if you open a shop.

[Simonp]

This thread might be old already but anyway...

I am British but own two businesses here in Hong Kong. Be careful not to rush ahead with this. As Wai wai said setting up a company can be done on a tourist visa but you are not allowed to conduct any business activity unless you have

a) working visa
b) investment visa

not obtaining one of these and doing any business at all is an offence and you risk your entire future in Hong Kong by doing so.

I am sure you know about the working visa. The investment visa has no minimum capital requirements but you must show that your business can employ Hong Kong locals, contribute to Hong Kong's economy and generally be an all round ethical and successful enterprise. First you must submit a very comprehensive business plan with all working financials. (make sure you get these right because you have to live up to your forecasts in order to get the visa) The application process takes 6 months during which you will be assessed to see if you company is meeting the progress forecast in your business plan.

If you genuinely want to start and run business in Hong Kong and you believe it will be successful and you can employ Hong Kong locals then the investment visa may be an option.

Another option may be to find someone you know and trust who is in business to take you on as a "consultant" and then start your own business up.

[ohchk2001]

Originally Posted by Simonp

This thread might be old already but anyway...

I am British but own two businesses here in Hong Kong. Be careful not to rush ahead with this. As Wai wai said setting up a company can be done on a tourist visa but you are not allowed to conduct any business activity unless you have

a) working visa
b) investment visa

not obtaining one of these and doing any business at all is an offence

This is not true. You do not need an investment visa or working visa to run a business in Hong Kong. Anyone can form a corporation in HK and do business in HK with it.

The catch is you cannot PAY yourself a salary WHILE IN HONG KONG if you do not have an investment or working visa.

Came to HK as a tourist before I got my Investment Visa and my Hong Kong business was already in operation. Actually my HK business was operational months before I came to HK as a tourist, and it hired its first employee when I came to HK as a tourist (not me of course).

What is the advantage of having the company you formed sponsor yourself and getting a work visa? Is that even possible, or is it pretty tough to do unless you're an established company?

[KnowItAll]

I agree. You can run and be a director of a business in Hong Kong without having a visa or having stepped foot into Hong Kong.

At my previous employer, the local subsidiary was owned by the US corporation and none of the directors of the local sub were Hong Kong residents / visa holders etc.

The key is .. that they did not get paid by the Hong Kong company. The Hong Kong company paid the US company for any services / expenses etc...

[KnowItAll]

http://www.geofinance.com/business/c...g-kong-basics/

and

http://www.geofinance.com/business/c...any-formation/