[steven78]

Hi,

I'm a New Zealand citizen who's living in New Zealand. My girlfriend is from Hong Kong, she's a Hong Kong citizen. It's quite long time that we know each other.
Unfortunately, she cannot move to New Zealand because of her family and her job... she's employed full-time.
I'm seeking jobs to move to HK to stay with her, but I'm afraid I cannot see any result in that! I don't know how much I'll have chance to get an offer of employment in HK since I'm not there at the moment. Also, I don't have a work visa/permit to be able to work in HK legally. I don't believe there's that much chance an employer in HK employs you while you're living overseas (out of HK).
We're so exhausted and we're desperately trying different options to be able to live together. Our last option is to get married so that I can be able to apply for a dependent visa.
I'm a software developer and I’m working for a New Zealand based company. One of the alternatives I think is to apply for a Working Holiday Visa to be able work in Hong Kong. But in my understanding this visa lasts only for a year.

Any one got any thoughts or ideas that can help me?

Regards,
Steven

[jimbo]

Take time out and get over here and start physically looking for work asap.

Companies won't consider you unless you are physically over here and also you state that you're a software developer, unfortunately they're a dime a dozen out here and a lot of the locals will do the job for peanuts.

Your options are to probably retrain and do something else such as teaching as thats in plentiful demand and you won't get an issue with applying for a work permit.

[hongkongtong]

u meet her online or something?

[steven78]

No, actually I haven't meet her online. Her parents and her family know me, I've been to Hong Kong before, few times, and I'm traveling to Hong Kong tomorrow for a short visit, just spending some time with her and also spending my Easter holiday there.

This is a very interesting point that I need to be there to be able to attract employers. Otherwise, I also believe it's kind of impossible to find a job while you're overseas (not in HK)... But there's an issue here which is if I stay in HK apparently I'll be on a visitor permit which is issued upon arrival for about 3 months. If I seek job opportunities, is it against the immigration policies? When I was reading the posts in this forum, I realized that a number of people got job offers in HK and are moving there... how does this happen? have they been seeking jobs during their stay in HK as a visitor?
I know HK immigration department is tough on immigration rules. If I get a job offer while I'm on a visitor permit in HK, I believe I need to leave HK and launch my application for a work visa while I'm overseas (out of HK).

Another idea is that, I get a temporary job, say for a year, in mainland China, such as in Guangzhou, which is close to HK, so I can visit her once or twice in a month on weekends. Is it true if I get some work experience in China, does it help me to have a better chance to get a job in HK?

I have a friend who's my former classmate here in Auckland. We both studied computer science at the University of Auckland. He's an international student who's a Hong Kong citizen and got one more semester to go. He will back to HK once he finishes his study. He used to tell me it's not that hard for me to find a job in HK... I don't know how much this is true, but he was giving me a big confidence!

I appreciate for any help or ideas... what should I do really?

Thanks everyone...

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by steven78

This is a very interesting point that I need to be there to be able to attract employers. Otherwise, I also believe it's kind of impossible to find a job while you're overseas (not in HK)... But there's an issue here which is if I stay in HK apparently I'll be on a visitor permit which is issued upon arrival for about 3 months. If I seek job opportunities, is it against the immigration policies? When I was reading the posts in this forum, I realized that a number of people got job offers in HK and are moving there... how does this happen? have they been seeking jobs during their stay in HK as a visitor?

Steven

When I was in London all I was getting from agencies and companies etc was contact us when you're in HK.

Theres nothing to stop you from physically seeking work whilst you're on a tourist visa but of course you can't physically start work till a work permit has been issued which usually takes about 4-6 weeks.

Those guys that do have job offers in HK and are moving are usually getting a transfer from there company or got headhunted for this role.

Hongkongtong, Your comment is totally irrelevant to this situation, Makes no difference whether he met her online or not its none of yours or our concern.

[vivi106]

My husband get his job from local job search website seek.com.au and he did his interview in Australia as well. I'm not sure what would be the most popular jobs website in NZ, but you can try to find something like "overseas job opportunities", might have some jobs there. Good Luck :-)

[steven78]

Thanks jimbo and vivi106 for your replies.

I also found my current job, software developer, from seek.co.nz. I believe they're the same companies but diffrent job ads in aussie and nz.

The point is that nothing is impossible but need to try to find the best way. As of the replies that I got to my post, I believe being in Hong Kong while seeking jobs brings a stronger chance to get a job offer.

I don't know how much an employer in HK is interested to ask you for an interview if he/she knows you're a visitor without holding a current work permit.

I know there are plenty IT jobs in HK. Maybe one of my weaknesses is that I don't know that much Cantonese. However, I know a little bit Mandarin which is just in a very simple daily communication stage.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by steven78

I don't know how much an employer in HK is interested to ask you for an interview if he/she knows you're a visitor without holding a current work permit.

I know there are plenty IT jobs in HK. Maybe one of my weaknesses is that I don't know that much Cantonese. However, I know a little bit Mandarin which is just in a very simple daily communication stage.

I and others on this forum are in exactly the same situation, I'm here on a tourist visa too and am getting interviews etc so its not a problem especially with the big multi-nationals.

Yes there are plenty of I.T jobs out there but theres also a lot of competition and locals will work for peanuts compared to us. Cantonese is not a must but knowing some basics will of course help.

[steven78]

Thanks really for your advises. I think I need to get myself there and give it a try to see what will happen. Hopefully something will come up for all of us who are in the same situation.
All the best!

[nation]

Steven

A couple of more OZ based sites that advertise for HK jobs:

http://jobs.careerone.com.au
http://www.mycareer.com.au/

They may also have equivalents in NZ. I am pretty sure when the recruiters advertise they will view Australian and NZ candidates equally so it'd be no harm to go through the OZ sites when applying. As for the jobs on Seek and these bear in mind that the recruiters are literally hammered with people applying due to the lure of working in HK. To get a job in HK offshore as an outside applicant is very tough. Unless you are highly specialised and in a high demand field your best bet is to get to HK and do the job hunt on the ground.

I'm not sure of the IT field but generally the job market is competitive here with employers being very specific about the types of candidates they are after. Regardless it's still worth a shot given your long term plans. If do get a job offer and, more importantly, are appropriately qualified the visa application process is a mere formality. You don't have to leave the country to apply. But until you get the job visa you will be on a tourist visa so will have to leave the SAR within 3 months of your arrival. A quick trip to Shenzen or Macau will allow you to get a new tourist visa stamp and effectively increase your time here. I will say, however, that you do this at your own risk although most have found immigration to not worry too much about this "visa run".