[nyj]

Here is a link to the HK website with the Applcation for and list of requirements ... they, too note that it is 4-6 weeks processing time, which is consistent with my experience and PDLM's experience, though apparently not Smudge's experience.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4_2.htm
It says which forms you have to complete in the first box.

[PDLM]

Christine,

The form is here: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)936.pdf
The guidance notes are here: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)937.pdf

[KatherineYeung]

My husband also wants to hire a Japanese guy. His company is also a small one, about 4 local staffs. Do you think it is easy to get working VISA ?

< Katherine >

Originally Posted by carang

when i owned a small company, we tried to hire two people from overseas...
i submitted the application on 27 January and they were TURNED DOWN on the 15 AUGUST!!!!!!!!!

we provided everything they asked for and then some... and it took them 8 months to turn us down!

they were penalising us because we were small... because they refused to grant the visa, our expansion plans had to be abandoned...

[carang]

who knows?

i'll keep my fingers crossed for him!

good luck!

[Christine_168]

Thanks for the link guys... this form is 20 pages long!

So then for the sake of time, problems, and the risk of not being approved, would you all recommend that it would be better for me to accept my internship offer as unpaid instead of paid...? I mean, then I wouldn't have to go through this whole process and still be good with the government/immigration...

Thanks again, you guys are great.

[jaykay]

PDLM is right on this one. It's all about how the company presents their documentation to immigration. If it's all perfect and in order it normally takes 5-6 weeks. We've had them through in 2 weeks before but thats pushing contacts in immigration. We regularly apply for work permits and have never had to wait as long as 3 months!

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Christine_168

So then for the sake of time, problems, and the risk of not being approved, would you all recommend that it would be better for me to accept my internship offer as unpaid instead of paid...? I mean, then I wouldn't have to go through this whole process and still be good with the government/immigration...

That wouldn't help - you need a Visa to enter Hong Kong for any purpose except short-term as a tourist or on business related to employment elsewhere. Even voluntary work requires an employment visa.

The form is really very straightforward. The only bit that needs thought is the supporting letter from your sponsor (employer) explaining why they want to employ you and why they cannot find a local to do the same job equally well.

[Christine_168]

Oh okay...

Well it's just that with the time, I'm scared that I won't get the permit, and because the firm has never dealt with it before, I'm even more worried that it will take longer.

The form looks easy enough, but my problem is the fact that the two sides that have to fill it out are on opposite sides of the world. Trying to get the entire package together and get it in is my other worry.

[nyj]

Agree with PDLM (plus everyone likes to get paid). Remember, you can enter for 90 days on your US passport so you can afford to flex a little bit on timing...

[Christine_168]

At this point, I really don't care if I am paid... I just want to be in Hong Kong I was wondering though, how would the government know that I was doing something that was unpaid? There wouldn't be any record of it since I wouldn't be paid and thus they wouldn't know...