[neha_ch2]

hi,

I would like to know the current scene.....

If I'm a HK permenant ID card holder, will my spouce be allowed to work in hk on a dependant visa ????

The immigration dept. web site does not mention this clearly.

Thanks.

It seems very clear on Page 11 of this document:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id939a.pdf
That dependents of people with permanent right of abode have the right to work whereas those of people on employment visas do not.

[HKGUY]

Life isn't fair is it?

If the government has rules for some and not others, that's discrimination. If people want to come and work here they have to pass immigration's test, so should those who are married to PR's. I mean, nothing is stopping those married to PR's to come here and live, but if they want to work they should have to abide by the same rules. In fact, someone who is a PR has to certify to the immigration office that he/she can support his/her spouse and put a roof over his/her head. Hence, if PR's need to provide this certification, should his/her spouse have the right to work here? I don't think it should be automatic. The same employability tests for any spouse of a non-pr should be followed.

I wrote the immigration office on this issue, they have yet to reply.

[KnowItAll]

HKGuy,

Not sure what you're going on about.. but the tests should not apply to permanent residents, as they have met the overall qualifications to be considered "permanent residents" and are now an integral part of Hong Kong's society.

[HKGUY]

I'm not saying that permanent residents need to go through the immigration dept's empoyability test. I am saying their dependent spouse should. Dependents of PR's should be able to come and live here with their PR spouse, but should not have the automatic right to work. These dependents should have to go through the same tests as any other non-permanent resident to work here.

[shri]

That goes against worldwide conventions for immigrants.

The US allows dependants of green card holders to work freely, so does Canada and virtually every country that I can think of and have first hand information about.

That sir, is how the govt widens its tax base -- which with a long term view will benefit the govts more.

Do keep in mind that immigrants to Hong Kong usually pay a much higher tax rate than most of the local population does.

By the way, would love to see a letter published by you in the SCMP advocating this stance, WITH your name and address.

Originally posted by shri
Do keep in mind that immigrants to Hong Kong usually pay a much higher tax rate than most of the local population does.

Er, I assume you mean because they tend to earn more? Tax rates are only dependent on salaries, not citizenship.

[Andy_HK]

Was there a change in Unconditional Status for dependents of Permanent Residents? I think now they have to wait for 7 years, up from 3 years to get it and then they can get ROA.

[shri]

Originally posted by Paul
Er, I assume you mean because they tend to earn more? Tax rates are only dependent on salaries, not citizenship.

Absolutely because they tend to earn more (talking averages and medians).

Anyways... I really do think the original question was answered a while back.