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18-04-2006, 02:10 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida, USA... wish I was in HK! Age: 23
Posts: 27
| | | Woohoo, work permits!
Hi all,
I know you guys are probably tired of all of these posts, I apologize, but I too am going to ask about work permits. 
I'm an American student who has an offer from a firm in Hong Kong for a paid internship this summer. However, do I still need a work permit for this, as it's not long-term work... but being that I will be compensated, I don't know if that still matters.
And if I do, how do I go about getting this elusive permit?
Thanks everyone! | |
18-04-2006, 02:57 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,318
| | | Yes you do, the same way as anyone else. Surely the company that offered the internship has an HR department that can advise and assist? It would be strange to have an intern programme and not be able to do this... | |
18-04-2006, 03:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida, USA... wish I was in HK! Age: 23
Posts: 27
| | Well, it's not really an actual internship program...
But thanks for the info.  | |
18-04-2006, 04:35 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11
| | | Hi Christine -
You should ask whomever you interviewed with about getting a work visa (usually they provide). Iif you are coming from the US it takes about 4-6weeks to get all set up, basically just have to fill out some documents about your whereabouts and what you are doing, and why they elected to give this job to you as opposed to someone already here.
If your employer cannot help, you should contact the department of state and get the work visa forms for hong kong, you will still need your employer to fill out some paperwork.
If you are not able to get your work visa before you get here, you can enter on your US passport for 2 weeks then when your visa comes through, you can leave HK for a weekend and re-enter on your work visa. You will not be able to receive a Hong Kong paycheck until your work visa comes through.
Best of Luck
Nate | |
18-04-2006, 05:51 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 19
| | you will need a working visa. also - don't belive anyone who says that a WV will take 4-6 weeks. You're dealing with HK immigration here! at best allow 3 months + some. Good luck you will need it when it comes to HK.
Dont get me wrong. I love HK and the whole PRC region - its a fascinating place for a rich cultural experience. But when it comes to government process and working in HK - all I can say is that it is a MASSIVE learning experience.
Remember _ DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!  | |
19-04-2006, 01:01 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,318
| | | My first working visa took 5 weeks. When I transferred employers and needed a new visa it took 3 weeks. The HK bureaucracy (not just immigration - tax, driving licences etc. also) is very efficient PROVIDED that you read the forms carefully and give then 110% of what they ask for. | |
19-04-2006, 11:53 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida, USA... wish I was in HK! Age: 23
Posts: 27
| | THREE months? Wow.. I really don't have that kind of time between now and when I start. Hopefully it won't really take that long...
If I am unable to get the work visa before I arrive in HK, how will I know it is ready for me when I do get there (so that I can leave and come back in)? And is there a chance they won't approve of my visa? I find that a rare thing, but still...
Thanks for all the info everyone! | |
19-04-2006, 11:59 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,407
| | | 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... | |
19-04-2006, 12:19 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida, USA... wish I was in HK! Age: 23
Posts: 27
| | | OH GREAT, that doesn't sound too good for me... the firm I am interning at is extremely small and has never taken on a US intern before, which I guess why they weren't aware of the work visa.
::heavy sigh::
On another note, what is the exact terminology of the work visa? I am looking at the Hong Kong immigration website, and I am finding visa for employing domestic helpers, but nothing about employment in general... | |
19-04-2006, 02:14 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 19
| |
welcome to hong kong - kid... I know that is a patronising thing to say but dont listen to PDLM (they must be local - no disrespect here)...
The reality is... HK puts on this friendly face. Come to HK they say.. What they dont tell you is what actually happens after you arrive.
My advice... be sure of what you're getting into. I came over as an expat with a large multi-national. People in HR were the experts with HK Immg - it still took them 3.1mths  | | Tools | Search | | | | | Rate This Thread | | | All times are GMT +8. The time now is 03:20 AM. | Partners |
