[TimTheMan]

I have found the most amazing girl in the world and she lives in HK. I want to marry her as soon as possible and I need to find out what I should do to get HK citizenship. Is it enough to marry her? Once we are married can I then work in the HK? I have two years of college so far but no degree yet. I don't care what kind of work I get there, I just want to be with her. I plan on finishing the degree online once I arrive and get situated. Please tell me any information you can, I don't know what I need to do at all!

[shri]

There is no such thing as a HK Citizenship.

-- When you marry you'll get a dependant visa which will allow you to work here.

-- After 7 years you are eligible for permanent residency.

I think you may be best of marrying her and asking her to move to the US. Unless you have some specialised skills... its pretty difficult to find good work here.

[TimTheMan]

You have no idea how glad someone replied so quickly! I have been talking to this girl online for over two years, she just came to visit me and stayed for two months. We had a terrific time and I love her so much and she loves me. Her family and friends are in HK and I have no real attachments here. I don't care about a "great" job, just a semi-decent job to pay the bills and get enough to finish school online. With a two year degree would I have a better chance? And is a Tutoring job too hard to find? I'd love it if someone could chat with me and answer some questions!

[TimTheMan]

I appreciate you answering so quickly, is there any way you can tell me if a tutoring job is difficult to find? Also, I have some student loan debt and I wonder if it will hinder my desire to move? I have no intention of avoiding the debt, I intend to keep true to my payment schedules. Do you know if it will hinder either a marriage license or a "dependent visa"?

[Lammarite]

Sorry to say that in a very quiet, sneaky way the government has done away with giving the right to work to those marrying people with a work permit. As of July 1st dependents are not automatically given the right to work. Another fantastic side effect of Hong Kong prostituting itself to the mainland and allowing waves of mainlanders in who then marry and expect to bring in 20 'close' family members. If you love this girl so much, come over to Hong Kong on the 3 month visit visa you are given, see if there is a possibility of work and see how you both feel about eachother after 3 months in 'her country' with her friends, around her family etc. There are english teaching schools etc who will give you sponsorship if they think you are good enough and will stay with them for at least a year to make it wirth their while. Good luck.

[Buddy_C]

Tymothe, please be careful on what you wish for. Or what you want for this matter. Do you wish you marry her in HK and support her or after marriage, is she going to want to come back to the states with you and start her life anew? She maybe a totally different person after that, so just becareful. Some people are extremely desperate to come to the states. My close friend has had that experience before. Anyways, good luck with your life and hope all is well.



Buddy

[shri]

Originally posted by Lammarite
Sorry to say that in a very quiet, sneaky way the government has done away with giving the right to work to those marrying people with a work permit. As of July 1st dependents are not automatically given the right to work.

Lammarite,

Dependants of permanent residents (which I would assume that the woman is) can work without any additional requirements. It is the dependants of people on employment and education visas that have a problem.

[TimTheMan]

Thanks Shri for the update, it had me worried.. I was very desperete for info last night I was feeling so down. The post about not having the right to work with the dependent visa had me worried, but I still intended to make it work.

Buddy_C, I know you mean well, but I really do know her better than that. She's not moving to USA, I will only move there. I will find a way! Any advice is welcome though!

but please keep it positive I have no intention of changing my mind and I could just use the help anyone can give to overcome the obstacles...

[Lammarite]

Thanks Shri, I stand corrected, I hadn't made the distinction between a permanent resident and a dependent on a work visa. I fall into the latter category and am very happy that I was carded up before July 1st.
Sorry to have got you down Tymothe, that certainly wasn't my intention, you are right there are always ways.

[GraemeK]

i'd still suggest coming over for a trial run, as it is difficult on a young relationship to (a) be in a strange place and (b) for one person to not be working. this may sound patronising, but i have been in that situation myself in the past, and every $ spent can cause friction. also, it would be good for you to come here and understand your options without having to make a longer term committment first. good luck.