[sanfran1]

I would very much like to get some advice on setting up business in Hong Kong and how complex it can be if you do not have a work permit.

I am registered as self employed in the UK where I pay my taxes and would like to start operations in Hong Kong. I am currently in HK on a tourist visa which means that I cannot remain here longer than six months at a time. The ideal scenario would be to obtain a working visa and have a company registered in HK too.

How difficult is it to be allowed to register a company in HK?

Would I be able to get a working visa without sponsorship from an existing company?

Is it legal to continue in my current capacity as a "tourist" and continue doing business in HK and continue doing billings from the UK as I am a UK registered company.

I would appreciate any help on the matter as all that I have been able to find on this site is advice when one has sponsorship but nothing on "start ups".

Many thanks.

[Muse]

I understand that you might need to apply for a business investment visa which could be a rather lengthy process especially if you are here on a visitor visa. I would suggest you contact one of the companies that helps with immigration and visa issues like yours. Try Emigra or Deacons - I think it's www.emigra.com. You can also try contacting the Immigration Dept who are rather friendly.
http://www.immd.gov.hk
enquiry@immd.gov.hk
roa@immd.gov.hk

good luck!

[Muse]

Just a continuation from my last email. I forgot to mention that if you have over HKD 6.5 MM to invest, you can bypass the lengthy business investment visa process and apply for a capital investment visa instead. Also I understand that one can get into trouble with immigration should you start work first, without applying / receiving the respective visas...

[sanfran1]

Thanks for the sites Muse, I will have a look.

[wai wai]

Sanfran1,
You can set up a company in HK even you do not have a working visa. There is no restriction of the nationality of person that can set up a company in HK.

Regarding a working visa, you need to find an employer first in HK. This employer would sponsor your application for working visa.

It is possible to set up a HK company, employ yourself and thus sponsor yourself the application visa. However since your newly set up company does not have a history in HK, you need to prove to immigration department that your business in UK is an "established" one. And now you are seeking to expand your business from UK to HK.

[sanfran1]

Thanks wai wai, I had not been told that I could do it that way. Sounds promising, are you a lawyer?

[KnowItAll]

SanFran : I'd not respond to random email addresses with personal information.

If anyone is serious -- they know who they need to contact before they start random solicitations on forums.

[wai wai]

Sanfran,
I have sent you a PM. Please check.

[Lizzie@HK]

You can contact InvestHK (investhk.gov.com). It's a government organisation. Their job is to promote investment in Hong Kong. I contact them to set up my small business and had a meeting with them. My visa (working visa) application is under process. They gave me advises on what kind of visa to apply for, how to set up the business and how to fill the application for the immigration. Since your case is different from mine because you have already your own business in the UK, you'd better contact them. It's free of charge. Good luck!

By the way, thank you for all Geoexpat guys. It's great all the advises you give. It helped me a lot before I come in HK and still helps me.

[Lizzie@HK]

oh! a correction to what I wrote: I applied to an investment visa, not working visa.