Hong Kong Visas Made Easy

What Visa Options Exist for a Presently Employed Writer to ‘Go Solo’ Whilst Holding an Employment Visa ‘Cruising’ to the Right of Abode in Hong Kong in 2018?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Long Stay & PR, Your Question Answered / No responses

Freelance writers always struggle to secure investment visas here…

QUESTION

I have been working in Hong Kong for about 4.5 years and my current employment visa expires in 2018.

I would like to be a freelance writer, but I understand that getting an investment visa can be onerous especially since I will be a one-man show.

If I quit my job, I understand I have the privilege to remain and ‘reside’ in Hong Kong but not the right to work.

I was wondering if there is any way to get round the latter – such as for example, routing payments through a company registered in my home country, or setting up a Hong Kong company and paying myself earnings through dividends rather than a salary?

If neither of these are viable options, am I better off setting up a sole proprietorship or limited liability company to get the investment visa?

Also, assuming I stayed here till 2018 but did not work nor pay taxes, would this be an issue in getting the Right of Abode in Hong Kong after the seven years are up?

Thanks for the help!

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

INTERVIEW – What was it like being an immigration consultant in Hong Kong at the time of SARS?

Can my dependant child go on to become a Hong Kong permanent resident if I am not married to his mother?

I have sworn an MPF declaration that I am leaving Kong Kong – am I now precluded from applying for the right of abode here?

Can I apply for the right of abode if my employment visa expires on the exact 7 years anniversary of my residence in Hong Kong but I have no job here on that date?

Right of Abode for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong – it was all so inevitable really

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

Visa Geeza Interviews… Sarah Kohler, Founder, TwentyBliss

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Visa Geeza TV / No responses

The Visa Geeza Interviews are a series of 250 interviews of Hong Kong entrepreneurs undertaken between 2014 and 2019.

Sarah Kohler, Founder, TwentyBliss

Our intention is to create a record of modern social history, seeking to document what is going on at our entrepreneurial grass roots during these revolutionary times as Hong Kong shifts from an economy forged in an industrial era to an economy based upon connection, authenticity, relationships and trust.

Want to be on this show?  Please get in touch.

More Stuff You May Find Interesting or Useful

Visa Geeza Interviews… Daniel Cowen, Co-Founder, WobbleWorks

Visa Geeza Interviews… Nicolas Koehl, Founder, Korialys Asia

Visa Geeza Features in Inc Magazine

Visa Geeza Features in Forbes Magazine

How Important Are Word of Mouth Referrals to the Hong Kong Visa Centre?

LIFTING THE LID: What Would It Take For the Hong Kong Visa Centre to ‘Fire’ a Client?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Family Visas, Long Stay & PR, Musing, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, Uncategorized, VG Front Page, Visitor Visas / No responses

In this occasional series of commentary, I provide a peek inside our professional practice and offer a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of the Hong Kong Visa Centre team.

In this short piece, I discuss what needs to happen in the relationship with a Hong Kong Visa Centre client that would lead us seeking to withdraw our representation.

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

LIFTING THE LID – The Nature of Our Competition in the Hong Kong Immigration Services Market

LIFTING THE LID –  What’s it Like Operating the Hong Kong Visa Centre as a Virtual Business?

LIFTING THE LID – Why The Hong Kong Visa Centre Doesn’t Take On Every Prospect Client Opportunity

LIFTING THE LID – Leaving Your Hong Kong Visa Extension to the Very Last Minute

LIFTING THE LID – How Important Are Word of Mouth Referrals to the Hong Kong Visa Centre?

QOTW: Can You Take Up Short Term One-Off Employment in Hong Kong on a Visitor Visa?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Uncategorized, Visitor Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

The Hong Kong Immigration Department are interested in regulating activity, not whether you get paid for it or not… or even where you might get paid for that matter…

QUESTION  OF  THE  WEEK

I run a team of Field Engineers who travel the world doing warranty repairs for our company, manual labour.

I also have office based staff who travel overseas to review projects, which is not manual labour.

We are finding it confusing to know whether these two categories of staff need work visas or not when visiting Hong Kong.

In essence they are not going to Hong Kong to seek permanent employment, they are merely visiting on a short term basis to carry out warranty repairs whilst remaining fully employed by our company which is based in the USA.

Are you able to shed any light on this unique type of ‘visit’ to Hong Kong?

Does such short term one-off employment in Hong Kong require an employment visa after all?

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

Does volunteering for a good cause represent unpaid work which requires the specific permission of the Director of the Hong Kong Immigration Department?

I would like to apply for a ‘Job Seekers’ visa for Hong Kong – how do I go about doing it?

Is there such an animal as a Hong Kong employment visa for an independant contractor?

I will only be working in Hong Kong for six weeks – should I bother getting an employment visa?

How can an overseas company temporarily sponsor employment visa permissions for Hong Kong?

Video… Visa Geeza Speaks… Creating Relationships

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Musing, Visa Geeza TV / No responses

Over the last few months I have been invited to speak at various events around town on the use of video, our business strategy and experience in building a rapidly growing professional services business based on the concept of giving all of our IP, visa know-how and immigration experience away for free via our three websites.

In this short segment I answer a question about the myth of viral videos and the overall importance of the use of video as an educational medium that makes for the catalyst of relationships to form – out of which good things flow.

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

Visa Geeza Speaks… Beginnings

Visa Geeza Speaks… Strategy

Visa Geeza Speaks… Built In

Visa Geeza Speaks… One Person is Enough

The Power of Free – A Revolutionary Business Model

Hong Kong Immigration Policy | 2015 Enhancement Measures Come Into Effect | What It Means For You

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Family Visas, Long Stay & PR, Musing, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, Uncategorized, Visitor Visas / No responses

On Monday May 4, the Hong Kong Immigration Department 2015 Enhancement Measures officially came into effect.

I will be in the studio this weekend recording more details but for now, it’s a case of puff and fizzle rather than crash and boom!

I will be posting updates frequently on what we learn and the Hong Kong Visa Handbook is presently undergoing an update edit to bring it all into line with the 2015 adjustments.

In 2015, the Hong Kong Immigration Department introduced Enhancement Measures that specifically focused on the general employment policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), and other work-related visas. These measures aimed to streamline and expedite the visa application process, encourage the employment of local talent, and attract highly skilled individuals from mainland China and abroad.

For the general employment policy, one of the key changes introduced was the extension of the validity period for employment visas. Eligible applicants were granted a longer period of stay, providing both employers and employees with increased flexibility and stability. This change reduced the administrative burden of frequent visa renewals and allowed employees to focus more on their work.

In relation to ASMTP, the 2015 Enhancement Measures specifically targeted talents and professionals from mainland China. The measures expanded the range of professions under ASMTP and simplified the application process, making it easier for eligible individuals to work in Hong Kong. This change aimed to attract valuable talent from mainland China and contribute to the city’s economic growth.

In an effort to enhance the employment protection of local workers, the Immigration Department introduced additional measures to combat the hiring of illegal workers and ensure employers were abiding by the law. Employers were required to conduct certain pre-employment checks and report changes in employee status to the Immigration Department. These measures aimed to deter the illegal employment of workers and protect the rights and interests of local employees.

The Enhancement Measures also addressed work-related visas such as the Training Visa and the Working Holiday Scheme. The Training Visa requirements were modified to allow eligible applicants to undertake practical training in Hong Kong relevant to their field of study or work. This change provided opportunities for individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge while promoting cultural exchange.

Furthermore, the Working Holiday Scheme was expanded to include more countries and territories, allowing young people from abroad to experience the culture and work in Hong Kong for a limited period. This scheme aimed to promote bilateral ties and cultural exchange while providing young participants with valuable work experience in an international environment.

In conclusion, the 2015 Enhancement Measures in relation to the general employment policy, ASMTP, and other work-related visas provided significant changes to streamline the visa application process, attract talent from mainland China and abroad, protect the employment rights of local workers, and promote cultural exchange through training and working opportunities in Hong Kong. These measures aimed to strengthen the city’s workforce and contribute to its economic development

Overview Information on the 2015 Enhancement Measures

Discussing the 2015 Enhancement Measures on RTHK Radio 3

2015 Enhancement Measures Shakeup – Big Earners Do Well!

The Brightest & the Best for QMAS Do Well in the 2015 Enhancement Measures

2015 Enhancement Measures Implement ASSG!

Business Investment Visas Split Into 2 Streams in the 2015 Enhancement Measures

11 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa Without Paying for Professional Help – MUST USE Resources

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Musing / 1 response

On March 5, 2015 at WYND co-working space, I gave a presentation on how to go about applying for a Hong Kong same sex partner visa.

In this segment I talk you through the discrete MUST USE resources when applying for a prolonged visitor visa for a loved same sex partner.

The Complete Series

1 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – Introduction

2 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – Order of Business

3 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – The Anchor to the Talk

4 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – The Core Problem

5 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – Consolation Prize

6 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Partner Visa – Slippers & Pipe

7 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Visa Partner Visa – Do You Qualify?

8 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Visa Partner Visa – The Time it Takes!

9 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Visa Partner Visa – Managing Change

10 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Visa Partner Visa –  Extension of Stay

11 – How to Apply for a Hong Kong Same Sex Visa Partner Visa –  MUST USE Resources

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

10 Must Have resources for a Hong Kong same sex partner visa application

Understanding the Hong Kong ImmD procedure for a same sex partner visa application

A harsh decision – why Hong Kong Immigration Department will not give my clients a prolonged visitor visa

Hong Kong employment and same sex partner visas – a joint application strategy

How to stop worrying about your Hong Kong visa application – and start applying!