[ricktea]

Hi,
Can you live in HK while your work search is onging ? Are you allowed to rent an apartment ? How long can you stay on a regular passport or Visa. I know these are basic questions, but it is really important to me. Thanks, ricktea

[timklip]

> Can you live in HK while your work search is onging ?

Sure you can. You should have three months duration on your visa when you arrive (depending on your country of origin), so use this time to find work, and extend to another three months if neccessary by leaving Hong Kong and returning (a day trip to Macau, or mainland China will do it, but be careful about trying this too often..)

> Are you allowed to rent an apartment ?

You'll need a HKID card to rent an apartment, and you'll need an employment visa to get the ID card, and you'll need a job to get the visa, so getting the job first is the priority. You can stay in a guest house, or with friends in HK (if poss.) until you get the ID card.

> How long can you stay on a regular passport or Visa.

I believe the typical duration is three months, though it may vary depending on the country you are resident in.

Check the govt. website www.immd.gov.hk and other threads on this topic listed below.

Good luck Rick!

[ricktea]

Hi Tim,

I just read your message thanks alot, I was concerned when you
mentioned that I cannot rent a simple apartment in HK. This may be a big problem for me. As it may take me some time to find employment, and I do not like to stay in a hostel, and do not know anyone there. Is it really true that I need all these things to simply rent an apartment, Hong Kong I.D. card, Employment Visa, and Job also ? There was different information on the board so now I am confused. Is there no way to rent an apartment without all the things you mentioned ?
Thanks, Ric

[PDLM]

There is no legal requirement for you to be a HKID card holder to rent an apartment, but very very few landlords will rent to an individual who isn't an ID holder except on special terms. Leases normally have a 12 month minimum term so if you were to pay 12 months rental up front then I guess you could find a place.

The best alternative would be to rent a serviced apartment by the month. No HKID or anything required to do that. Minimum cost probably about US$1000/HK$7-8000 per month for something basic is an average location, up to HK$80,000/month or more for nice places in good locations.

[abhishek desai]

hkd 80,000/month ?

[sylvesterjay]

I came here in Feb 05 to look for work, and it took me 6 months to find a job, well one I accepted anyway. So it can take time.

As for renting. I stayed with friends for the first 3 months, then answered an ad in HK Magazine for flatmate wanted...which saved me the hassle of renting and getting furniture.

There was a new initiative announced by the chief executive recently allowing people a 1 year visa to come here and search for work, but I don't think its been implemented yet.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by abhishek desai

hkd 80,000/month ?

Sure - the Serviced Apartments at the Four Seasons go up to at least that price and perhaps a bit more.

[word2burga]

Originally Posted by timklip

> Can you live in HK while your work search is onging ?

Sure you can. You should have three months duration on your visa when you arrive (depending on your country of origin), so use this time to find work, and extend to another three months if neccessary by leaving Hong Kong and returning (a day trip to Macau, or mainland China will do it, but be careful about trying this too often..)

I'm in a similar position where I will need as much time as I can get to look for a job. I've looked all over the web and couldnt find any information about "extending" my three month stay by leaving HK and coming back with a trip to Macau or PRC. Does anyone know the official rules on this, or will immigration just get suspicious when they see the stamps on my passport? I also read that when entering HK I will need to provide proof of a return ticket to leave HK (presumably within 30 days).