[word2burga]

I've worked in investment banking for 3 yrs in NY, and plan to move to HK to look for a job in-person in finance.

Is it true that it will be more difficult to get an expat package/living expenses if I find a job after my move?

To me this doesnt make any sense because the only difference between finding a job before moving and after moving, is that I am interviewing in person. I am still going to require employment sponsorship so clearly they cannot view me as a local.

[JonnyC]

Why do you deserve more money than a local simply because you're from abroad? Ex-pats don't get more money just because they are foreign, the reason people get ex-pat packages is because their skills are in demand and cannot be found in the local market, so they are transferred from their homeland or get recruited from abroad. Because they are being actively sought to fill a position then they are compensated as such.
I would wager that not all the ex-pats living in HK are on fat ex-pat packages and a few went there and found jobs on their own and work for local salaries. You wouldn't expect an immigrant who moved to your country to get paid twice what you do simply because they are foreign would you?

[word2burga]

Agreed. So hypothetically if my skills were "in demand," not available locally and therefore expat package worthy, would it make a difference if I were sent out from the U.S. vs. moving out myself and finding a job that way?

[PDLM]

In principle no, in practice yes, because you have demonstrated your commitment to working in Hong Kong without the company needing to "bribe" you to do so...

[word2burga]

Not the answer I wanted to hear, but that definitely makes sense. thanks

[coolgirl]

how do we actually qualify an expat package? Is it just relo package (a moving cash allowance, air ticket, air and sea freight, tempo accommodation allowance) or the whole hulabaloo - housng allowance, etc. etc.

[PDLM]

It's whatever you can negotiate - there's no such thing as a "standard" expat package. The more they want/need you the more you can negotiate.

[coolgirl]

yep, I agree. But when do we say a person is in an "expat package"? What qualifies as that?

[paulmears]

you can afford more than two beers a night in LKF...

[PDLM]

To me it means anything beyond one-time relocation costs.

So if you have a housing allowance, or school fees are paid by the company, or you get flights home for you and your family then you are on an expat package.