Hong Kong Visa & Immigration Topics

Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – the Reality for Entrepreneurs Masquerading as Employees

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Musing / 6 responses

First Published May 1, 2012 There really is no such thing as visa self-sponsorship if you are an entrepreneur seeking permissions to join in your own business in Hong Kong. You either work for an independent third party employer, or you are working for yourself (or possibly in partnership with one or 2 others). Let’s […]

What is the Condition Precedent for Defacto Spouses In Securing a Prolonged Visitor Visa for Hong Kong?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Family Visas, Hadley Says… / 3 responses

First Published 27th June 2013 In Hong Kong, unmarried heterosexual life partners who share their lives as defacto spouses can’t apply for a dependent visa for the non principal visa holding partner. Instead they have to reply on a positive act of discretion of the Director of Immigration via an application for a prolonged visitor […]

Business Review – The Sword of Damocles for Successful Hong Kong Investment Visa Applicants

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / 1 response

If your investment visa has been approved but the Hong Kong Immigration Department believe your application was marginal, you can expect your visa to be subject to Business Review the first time that it comes up for extension. This works as follows: During your original application the HKID may not have been completely persuaded of […]

Do I Really Need an Employment Visa if I Get 6 Months’ Visitor Status Upon Arrival & Intend to Work in Hong Kong for a Maximum of 2 Weeks?

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

Is it ever legal to work in Hong Kong – especially on a short term basis – with a Visitor Status – without the permission of the Director of Immigration? QUESTION I am a UK based one person limited company and have been asked by a major financial services company with a business based in […]

Am I Eligible for An Extension to My Hong Kong Dependant Visa if My PHKID Card Holding Spouse Doesn’t Actually Live Here Now?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Family Visas, Your Question Answered / 6 responses

The Hong Kong Immigration Department grant dependant visas on the basis of family reunion in Hong Kong. Where, however, the sponsoring spouse is no longer resident in the HKSAR, the question is begged as to whether or not an extension will be available for the sponsored dependant visa holder? QUESTION I currently live in Hong […]

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How Does a Prior Bankruptcy Impact on Getting a Hong Kong Employment Visa?

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

Will previous financial difficulties experienced ‘in another life’ outside of Hong Kong impact on your ability to secure an employment visa here? QUESTION I’ve dreamed of living in Hong Kong for much of my life, but I have a bankruptcy in my past and don’t know if it will affect my plans to find a […]

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What Is the Bare Minimum Income & Accommodation Arrangements to Suitably Sponsor a Hong Kong Dependant Visa?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Family Visas, Your Question Answered / 103 responses

Today’s question relates how the Hong Kong Immigration Department respond to requests for dependant visas from permanent resident sponsors, particularly those families who are relocating back to Hong Kong some years after the marriage commenced overseas. QUESTION Thank you for your wonderful website! My wife and I are planning on applying for a Dependant visa […]

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Can I Do Business in Hong Kong Yet Live in Shenzhen to Save Costs & Commute Across the Boundary Each Day to Do My Business?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Visitor Visas, Your Question Answered / 1 response

Living in Hong Kong ain’t cheap, that’s for sure… QUESTION I’m an Australian and British citizen currently living in Australia and I want to found a technology Startup company in Hong Kong because the government incentives seem very attractive to do so. The downside is that housing is ultra-expensive in Hong Kong and paying this […]

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The Challenge of Visa Approvability for Freelance Writers & Reporters in Hong Kong

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / 4 responses

Freelancers in Hong Kong are often faced with a round-pegs-in-square-holes visa situation that is not easily resolved. This post attempts to deal with the challenge of visa approvability for these people and shed some light on what is actually do-able from an immigration perspective. QUESTION I am currently a full-time reporter in Hong Kong, I […]

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How Can I Convert My Foreign Domestic Helper Visa to a Dependant Visa After Marriage to a Hong Kong Permanent Resident?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Family Visas, Your Question Answered / 22 responses

Can you swap from a foreign domestic helper visa to a dependant visa whilst in Hong Kong? QUESTION My domestic helper, from the Philippines, is married to a Hong Kong Permanent Resident. Her contract with me expires in April and they want to apply for a dependent visa for her. Is this possible, what are […]

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