Flexible Hong Kong Work Visa | Is There Such An Animal | If So Where Might You Find It?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / 24 responses

Does A Flexible Hong Kong Work Visa Exist?

Flexible Hong Kong work visa? Like the Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster, I’ve heard mention of this mythical beast several times over the years …

The Employment Visa Is Not Flexible

QUESTION

Is there a flexible Hong Kong work visa?

Because we are going to employ someone from Australia, and he said he had a work visa sponsor. But he is free to work for anyone in Hong Kong.

But we need to give a service charge to his work sponsor.

Is there such a visa arrangement in Hong Kong?

PODCAST ANSWER BELOW

IANG Is Flexible

Flexible Hong Kong work visa √ The good news about visas issued under the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates that you only need to be working for a single full-time employer each time your visa comes up for renewal. In between times, your lawful employability can come in the form of any configuration.

QMAS Is Flexible

Flexible Hong Kong work visa √   The QMAS visa is a flexible Hong Kong work visa that offers several advantages for individuals seeking employment in the HKSAR.

1. Wide range of job opportunities:

The QMAS visa allows you to work for any employer in Hong Kong, giving you the freedom to explore various job opportunities.

2. No need for sponsorship:

Unlike the employment visa, the QMAS visa does not require sponsorship from a specific employer. This means you can switch jobs or even start your own business without the need for a new visa application.

3. Long-term residency option:

The QMAS visa also offers a pathway to long-term residency in Hong Kong, providing stability and security for individuals looking to settle in the city.

4. Flexibility in work arrangements:

With the QMAS visa, you have the flexibility to work full-time, part-time, or even engage in freelance work, allowing you to adapt your work arrangements to your personal preferences and needs.

5. Access to public services:

QMAS visa holders are entitled to access various public services in Hong Kong, including healthcare and education, ensuring a high quality of life for you and your family.

The Top Talent Pass Is Flexible Too

Flexible Hong Kong work visa √ Diverse employment opportunities: The TTP visa enables you to explore a wide array of job prospects in Hong Kong, granting you the freedom to choose from a range of employment options. No sponsorship required: Unlike other visas, the TTP visa does not necessitate sponsorship from a specific employer. This means you have the flexibility to switch jobs or even establish your own business without undergoing a new visa application process. Pathway to long-term residency: The TTP visa offers a route to secure long-term residency in Hong Kong, ensuring stability and peace of mind for those seeking to settle down in the city. Versatile work arrangements: With the TTP visa, you can work full-time, part-time, or engage in freelance work, allowing you to tailor your work arrangements to suit your personal preferences and requirements just so long as you’re working full-time at the time your visa comes up for renewal. Access to essential public services: TTP visa holders are entitled to avail themselves of a wide range of public services in Hong Kong, including healthcare and education, guaranteeing a high quality of life for both you and your family.

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Got An MPF Refund | Impact On A PR Application | Are You Now Disqualified?

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

I Have Sworn A Declaration That I Am Leaving Hong Kong To Receive An MPF Refund …

Am I Now Precluded From Making an Application for the Right of Abode Here?

QUESTION

I have been resident in Hong Kong for 5 and a half years on a working visa.

I lost my job over 6 months ago and thought that I had no option but to leave.

I obtained the MPF refund in May and signed a statutory declaration indicating that I would leave in early June.

I then realised that I had been too hasty and that I could still have applied for the right of abode at the end of the seven year residency period.

I now want to do this and either study or work if i can get a job until such time as I can apply.

Is it too late now that i have signed the statutory declaration and received the repayment?

Is there anything I can do to remedy the position?

Thank you in anticipation of your reply.

PODCAST SUMMARY

Understanding MPF Refund and Its Implications

In this Post I will unravel the complexities surrounding MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund) refund and its potential impact on your eligibility for the right of abode in Hong Kong. I’ll explore the steps you can take to address this situation and ensure a smooth path towards permanent residency.

MPF Refund: Exploring the Process

To begin, let’s delve into the process of obtaining an MPF refund. While I may not be an expert in the intricacies of MPF policies, it’s crucial to understand that making a statutory declaration for an MPF refund involves a commitment to leave Hong Kong. If you’ve received the refund but have had a change of circumstances, such as deciding to stay in Hong Kong, it’s advisable to contact the MPF authorities promptly.

Reversing Your MPF Declaration

Reversing the MPF declaration may not be a straightforward process, but it’s essential to reach out to the MPF authorities and explain your new situation. They are likely to have protocols in place for handling such scenarios. While the exact details may vary, addressing the issue with the MPF officials is a crucial step in ensuring that your financial matters align with your revised plans in Hong Kong.

The Path to the Right of Abode

Now, let’s focus on your eligibility for the right of abode in Hong Kong. If you’ve been residing in the city for five and a half years and can maintain a residence visa throughout the full seven years, you have a chance to apply for the right of abode. The key criterion is demonstrating that you are settled in Hong Kong.

The Challenge of the MPF Declaration

Here’s where the challenge arises. Your prior MPF declaration indicated that you intended to leave Hong Kong, which could be seen as conflicting with the notion of being settled in the city. To address this, you’ll need to take steps to undo the prior declaration.

Demonstrating Settlement in Hong Kong

To successfully secure the right of abode, it’s crucial to prove to the Immigration Department that you have become settled in Hong Kong by the time you reach the seven-year mark. This includes maintaining your residence visa permissions, potentially through studying or changing your employment sponsorship, and establishing a life that reflects your settled status.

Last Words …

While the MPF scenario in your situation may present challenges, it’s not necessarily fatal to your ability to obtain the right of abode in Hong Kong. Addressing the MPF declaration and demonstrating your settled status in the city over the next one and a half years can pave the way for a successful application. Remember to reach out to the MPF authorities promptly and take the necessary steps to align your financial commitments with your intentions in Hong Kong. With careful planning and action, you can work towards securing your right of abode.

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PODCAST ANSWER

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Hong Kong Employment Visa | Any Fixed Residency Requirement For Retention | Minimum Number of Days In-Country?

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

Is There Any Fixed Residency Requirement For Retention Of A Hong Kong Employment-Visa?

Understanding Half-Time Hong Kong Employment Visa and Its Impact on Permanent Residency

QUESTION

I am pursuing options to take up employment in Hong Kong and would like to know if there is any residence requirement for retention of a work visa.

For example, how long can one be absent from the country in any one year?  

This issue is important to me because I also wish to retain my employment/investment interest in the middle east and so am looking at a six month in Hong Kong – six month abroad arrangement.

PODCAST SUMMARY

Is There Such a Thing as a Half-Time Hong Kong Employment Visa?

When it comes to Hong Kong immigration, there’s no official category known as a “half-time visa.” The Immigration Department assumes that individuals granted an employment visa will be working full-time in Hong Kong. If your employment contract involves alternating between six months of work in Hong Kong and six months off, the Immigration Department will typically grant a visa for the specific duration you plan to be in Hong Kong, rather than a standard 12-month period of stay.

Employment Activities and Time Spent Away from Hong Kong

If you intend to come to Hong Kong for employment purposes and anticipate spending extended periods outside the city pursuing other interests, it’s generally acceptable. However, it’s essential to ensure that your initial permission to be in Hong Kong covers these activities.

In your visa application, you may not need to provide extensive details about your planned absences. However, after the fact, if you do spend significant time away from Hong Kong, the Immigration Department will assess whether your original permission to stay was genuinely necessary for the full time employment activities you were authorized to undertake.

The Role of Absences in Permanent Residency Applications

The critical issue underlying this discussion is how your absences from Hong Kong might affect a future application for permanent residency. To qualify for permanent residency in Hong Kong, you must demonstrate continuous and ordinary residence in the city for at least seven years. Any absences should be of a temporary nature, supported by your intentions at the time of departure.

Your overall lifestyle and patterns of residence during those seven years will be considered when assessing your eligibility for permanent residency. If it can be established that you were continuously and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong throughout that period, even with significant time spent away, you may qualify for the right of abode.

Last Words …

There is no official “half-time Hong Kong employment visa,” but the Immigration Department can grant visas based on your intended duration of stay. Spending time away from Hong Kong for employmen or personal reasons is acceptable, as long as it doesn’t compromise your original permissions. When considering permanent residency subsequently, it’s crucial to maintain continuous and ordinary residence in Hong Kong, with temporary absences supported by your intentions at the time.

This approach will enhance your chances of qualifying for the right of abode after 7 years.

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PODCAST ANSWER

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Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa| One Year Only | Work Full Time?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Special Programmes, Your Question Answered / 2 responses

Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa

What are the conditions of work under a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa?

I just love the easy Hong Kong immigration questions – gives me a break from thinking too hard!

QUESTION

Hi there!

I’m Australian and I have an approved Working Holiday Visa, but am wondering if I can work full-time (albeit for a max of 3 months per employer), or whether only part-time hours are allowed?

Also I have received an approval for the visa from the Immigration Department and have to leave Hong Kong for it to be validated…can I just leave for a day?

Is the purpose just for my passport to be stamped at Immigration on re-entry to Hong Kong Airport?

Many thanks for your help! 

PODCAST SUMMARY

Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa: An Opportunity to Experience Hong Kong

Are you a young individual eager to explore Hong Kong on an extended holiday while also supplementing your travel costs through employment? Look no further than the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa. In this post I’ll walk you through the details of this unique visa, allowing you to make the most of your Hong Kong adventure.

The Flexibility of the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa

The Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa offers unparalleled flexibility for those looking to spend an extended period in this vibrant city. As a visa holder, you can work for up to four individual employers, with each employer allowing you to work for a maximum of three months during your 12-month stay. The best part? You can choose to work full-time or part-time, giving you the freedom to manage your schedule as you wish. Some nationalities can also work for a single employer for 6 months which UK citizens can do so for the whole 12 months!

Check out the Hong Kong Immigration Department website here.

• Australian citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
• Austrian citizens – not allowed to work for more than six months
• British citizens – not allowed to work for more than 12 months
• Canadian citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
• Dutch citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
• French citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
• German citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
• Hungarian citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
• Irish citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
• Italian citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months and up to a total of six months (effective date of the scheme to be confirmed)
• Japanese citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
• Korean citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
• New Zealand citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
• Swedish citizens – not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months

Working Hours: No Limits, No Boundaries

One of the standout features of the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa is the absence of strict working hour limitations. Unlike some other visas, you have the liberty to work as many hours as you desire. Whether it’s a full-time job or a part-time gig, you have the flexibility to shape your work schedule to suit your needs.

Collecting Your Working Holiday Visa QR Code Approval Letter

Once your Working Holiday Visa is approved, you will be notified accordingly. The next step is to download the QR code approval letter after paying on line for the document. If you’ve in Hong Kong, you can take a short trip to Macau and back. Upon your return, simply present your Approval Letter and your passport to activate your visa as you enter Hong Kong. Same if you’re coming to Hong Kong directly from your home country after your visa has been approved.

Activating Your Visa and Enjoying 12 Months in Hong Kong

Upon returning to Hong Kong, you can activate your Working Holiday Visa by re-entering the city. At this point, you’ll have a 12-month limit of stay under this immigration status, starting from the date of your re-entry. There’s no requirement to spend a specific number of days outside Hong Kong; all you need to do is exit to relinquish your current visitor visa status and return to activate your Working Holiday Visa.

Last Words

In conclusion, the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa is an excellent opportunity for young travelers to experience Hong Kong while working to cover their expenses. With its flexibility and ease of activation, it’s a hassle-free way to make the most of your extended stay in our amazing city.

If you have any more questions or need further information, feel free to reach out.

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PODCAST ANSWER

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50 Days | A Long Time To Process A Hong Kong Employment Visa Application?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / 12 responses

How Long To Process A Hong Kong Employment Visa Application | Q4 2023?

How long should a Hong Kong Employment Visa Application take to finalize?

(Especially in light of the 4 weeks cited on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website?)

QUESTION

My working visa application is now almost into its 7th week (49 days and counting).

There were documents that immigration requested from my sponsor which may have delayed things a bit.

Day 1 – was personal filing of my employment visa application in Wanchai.

Day 28 – request of ImmD for certain documents from my sponsoring employer.

Day 31 – my sponsoring company faxed the required documents to immigration.

It is now almost 50 days and my application is still in progress.

Apart from the time it is taking, my other questions are:

(A)  Is the online enquiry actually updated daily or is it true that there will not be updates on Sunday and Monday because it would be results from the weekend.

(B)  I visited immigration and asked if I could get more detailed information.  He said someone would call me but nothing yet. How can I get the case Officer’s information if at all possible.

Thanks in advance.

POST REFERENCED IN PODCAST ANSWER: How To Gee Up A Hong Kong Visa Application That Is Taking A Long Time To Finalise

PODCAST SUMMARY

Hong Kong Employment Visa Application: What to Expect

Are you in the process of applying for a Hong Kong Employment Visa? The Hong Kong Immigration Department has provided an estimated processing time of four weeks on their website. However, the reality is a bit different. In this guide, we’ll delve into the actual processing time, how to track your application, and what to do while you wait.

Actual Processing Time for Hong Kong Employment Visa

The Immigration Department’s stated processing time of four weeks can be a bit misleading. This four-week period only begins once they have all the necessary information to evaluate your application thoroughly. In practice, this means that the typical processing time is more like six to eight weeks.

Tracking Your Hong Kong Employment Visa Application

If you’re anxious about the status of your application, you’ve likely explored the Immigration Department’s online inquiry system. However, it’s crucial to understand that this system is relatively basic and may not provide real-time updates. It’s more of a post-box portal than a sophisticated, real-time application process tracking system. The moment an Immigration Officer marks your case as approved or denied, the system should update, and you’ll receive a notification.

Communicating with the Immigration Department

While waiting for your application to be processed, it’s natural to want more information. Having a conversation with the Immigration Officer responsible for your case can provide valuable insights into where your application stands. Although they won’t reveal the final decision, they can give you an idea of the timeline and progress.

Notifications for Visa Approval

In most cases, the Immigration Department will fax you the approval letter if you’ve indicated that you can be contacted via fax. This often happens shortly after the Department reaches a decision. It’s worth noting that the online system may not be updated immediately, so relying solely on it may not be the best approach if time is of the essence.

Be Patient and Informed

If you’re waiting for your Hong Kong Employment Visa Application to be processed, it’s essential to remain patient. The processing time can vary, depending on the complexity of your case and the department’s workload. While the online system can be helpful, it’s not always the most reliable source of information. Communicating directly with the Immigration Officer handling your application is often the best way to get a clearer picture of your application’s status.

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PODCAST ANSWER

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Hong Kong Travel Pass | A Three Year 60 Day Visitor Visa | A Comprehensive Guide | Updated | November 2023

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Feature Article, Musing, VG Front Page, Visitor Visas / No responses

All You Need to Know | Business Immigration In Hong Kong | Updated Q3 2023 | Part 5/24

The Hong Kong Travel Pass | A Supercharged Visitor Visa For Frequent Visits To Hong Kong | How To Qualify

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What is the Hong Kong Travel Pass?

The Hong Kong Travel Pass, also known as the Travel Pass, is a supercharged visitor visa specifically designed for frequent visitors with genuine business reasons for travel.

Qualification Criteria

To be eligible for the Hong Kong Travel Pass, you must have had three trouble-free visits within the 12 months prior to your application via the airport and demonstrate a positive benefit to Hong Kong. You must also have a continuing home country employment or business that you will return to at the end of each visit.

Benefits of the Hong Kong Travel Pass

With the Hong Kong Travel Pass, you can stay up to two months with unlimited entries during the validity period of the pass. Additionally, you can utilize the residence lines at the airport, ensuring faster processing through immigration clearance.

How to Apply

To apply for the Hong Kong Travel Pass, you must submit an application to the Immigration Department. The process typically takes six to eight weeks to complete.

Last Words …

The Hong Kong Travel Pass provides an array of benefits for frequent visitors to Hong Kong.

If you meet the qualification criteria, consider applying for this special visa to experience faster immigration clearance, extended stays, and the ultimate convenience of unlimited entries.

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Extending A Hong Kong Visitor Visa | A Comprehensive Guide | Updated | November 2023

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Extending A Hong Kong Visitor Visa : How To Do It

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Extending A Hong Kong Visitor Visa?

Are you in Hong Kong as a visitor and considering extending your stay? Whether you obtained your visa upon arrival or applied for an entry visa before coming to Hong Kong, it is possible to apply for an extension to your visitor visa. In this post, I will guide you through the process of extending a Hong Kong visitor visa and provide some valuable tips for a successful application.

First Extension: Assessing Eligibility

In most cases, first visa extensions are granted without much difficulty. However, the Immigration Department will carefully assess your bona fide days as a visitor and require you to state the reasons for needing the extension and the completion date of your visit. They will expect you to leave Hong Kong by the specified date. It is crucial to provide a convincing justification for the need to extend your stay to increase the chances of approval.

Securing Further Extensions: The Immigration Department’s Scrutiny

If you require a subsequent extension, be aware that the Immigration Department will closely examine the reasons behind your prolonged stay. Building a positive record with the Immigration Department is vital at this stage. It is essential to strategically plan the duration of your stay and demonstrate a genuine need for an extended visit. Keep in mind that the Immigration Department typically doesn’t grant extensions beyond the maximum limits of stay allowed upon arrival or the limits set by a pre-arranged visa.

The Shenzhen Shuttle: An Alternative Approach?

Another option for frequent visitors is the “Shenzhen Shuttle.” This involves taking short trips to Macau or crossing the border into China and quickly returning to Hong Kong. Referred to as “double backers,” these visitors aim to reset their stay in Hong Kong. However, relying on this method for long-term visits can be challenging. Immigration officers scrutinize individuals who have spent more than 180 days within a 12-month period or appear to be continuously staying in Hong Kong. While this approach may work for business or regional travel, it is not recommended for longer stays due to the potential complications and the possibility of short conditional landing.

Last Words …

While extending a Hong Kong visitor visa is feasible, it is crucial to follow the Immigration Department’s guidelines and provide clear justifications for the extension. Remember that the Department assesses each case individually, and the decision ultimately lies with them.

If you require further assistance or have specific questions, it is advisable to consult with a professional immigration advisor to ensure a smooth and successful visa extension process.

 

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