Hong Kong is a notorious
metropolis with a world-class infrastructure; once you settle down here, you
quickly realize that everything is just fingertips away. Whether you’re still in
research mode and considering moving to Hong Kong or you’ve just arrived – in which
case, welcome – here’s a checklist of all the matters you need to prepare for before
you can enjoy everything this amazing city has to offer. |
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1. |
Apply for an appropriate visa |
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Make sure you’ve gotten the
right paperwork in place and applied for the appropriate visa before you relocate
to Hong Kong. The main Hong Kong visas are the following: |
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Employment visa: |
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Unless you have a Hong Kong “Right of Abode” or “Right to Land”, an employment visa is compulsory to work in Hong Kong. Having a sponsoring company and your visa issued (and any dependent visas for your spouse and children if any) before your arrival is essential. Please expect 4 to 8 weeks for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to process your visa application.
Note that you are not eligible to work without an employment visa, although you could have easily, in a pre-Covid era, land as a visitor and then set about getting one. The problem now with this solution is that once your work permit is approved by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, you still need to travel out and back into Hong Kong to “activate” your new visa and status. In the context of Covid however, the compulsory 21-day (or 14-day at best) quarantine period upon arrival needs to be factored into your decision. |
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Investment as Entrepreneur visa: |
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This visa is specifically for those who look to
start a business, join or take over a Hong Kong company (by shareholding). It
is subject to much higher standards than an employment visa and is assessed within
the larger business context of Hong Kong. For example, the business plan, the amount
of investment, the projected annual revenue, the number of local jobs created, any
new technologies introduced, etc. will be considered in the adjudication
process by the visa officer. The estimated processing time of the Investment as
Entrepreneur visa by the Immigration Department is at least 8 to 16 weeks upon
receipt of all the required documents. This is longer than the performance
pledge indicated on their website; so please plan ahead. Any request for supplementary
information by the visa officer will even lead to additional processing time. |
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Dependent visa: |
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Dependent visas are compulsory
for your spouse and children under the age of 18 if they will be staying with
you in Hong Kong. Holding a dependent visa allows your spouse to find any job at
will and work without being tied to a sponsoring company. |
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2. |
Shipping arrangement and insurance |
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Occasionally, damage or
loss occur during such a big move. When coordinating overseas packing,
shipping, clearance and delivery to your Hong Kong accommodation or new home,
you should always protect your belongings – especially if you have valuable furniture
or other movable properties – with reputable international insurance. Carefully
check the insurance coverage to ensure that it will compensate for any type of
damage or loss to your shipment. |
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3. |
Get a local mobile phone number |
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If you
have just arrived Hong Kong, the cheapest way to stay connected is to get a
local sim card. You will need an unlocked sim-enabled mobile phone.
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4. |
Obtain Hong Kong ID card |
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If you will be staying in Hong Kong for more than 180 days, an application of HKID card must be filed within 30 days of landing. Residents in Hong Kong aged 11 or over must hold a valid Hong Kong ID card. You are not always guaranteed an appointment as a walk-in applicant, so it is recommended that you make an appointment online before going to the Immigration Office. Details of the procedures along with the 5 immigration offices where applications are processed can be found on the Immigration Department’s website. Remember to bring your passport, your valid visa with the landing slip and the completed application form to your appointment.
After receiving your Hong Kong ID card, always carry it with you. In accordance with Section 17C of "Immigration Ordinance" (Cap 115) of Hong Kong Law, any person who fails to produce proof of his identity for inspection as required by the law commits an offence. HKID Cards are fitted with a smart chip, and it is a library card too. Once your fingerprint has been registered on the chip, you can also use your HKID for quick immigration access via the e-channel in and out of the Hong Kong and Macau borders. |
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5. |
Set up a bank account |
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For your salary and other
financial needs, you have to set up a local bank account. Most banks offer the
same generic services such as current, savings, time deposits, and payroll
accounts. Credit and debit cards are widely used here. HSBC and Hang Seng Bank are
the most popular banks in Hong Kong and therefore the ones with the most branches
and ATMs across the city. Nowadays, there is also a growing number of virtual banks you could consider, which offer better interest rates on your savings
and lightning-fast transactions. As a general guideline, you will need to
bring the following to open an account: |
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6. |
Research on districts for accommodation |
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Accommodation is one of the biggest decisions
when considering a move to Hong Kong. No doubt, this will be your greatest
financial expense here. Fortunately, there are many kinds of properties to suit
all needs and budgets.
Most of the expatriates will prefer to live in the central-western of Hong Kong Island, for the first two years at least. If you are looking for an exciting lifestyle with plentiful of leisure, sport, dynamic cultural activities, Hong Kong Island will be a smart choice for you. Hong Kong is strongly influenced by British colonization and offers a well-integrated western lifestyle. However, the living cost on Hong Kong Island will be slightly higher than in other districts (e.g. rental fees, food cost, leisure memberships, transportation, etc.)
Compared with Hong Kong Island, Kowloon will be the best choice for those who love traditional culture. Kowloon is a multifaceted integrated community with comprehensive urban planning. As Kowloon is the cultural hub of Hong Kong, you can find an intriguing combination of traditional temples alongside high-end luxury shopping centers. There are plenty of colonial-style mansions in some of the Kowloon districts with outstanding school networks. If you put in the research time, your living cost in Kowloon can be noticeably lower than on Hong Kong Island.
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7. |
Get an Octopus card |
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It would be an understatement to describe the
Octopus card as a widely used debit-style card for public transport. It is
literally omnipresent in Hong Kong, from public transports to convenience
stores – or any kind of stores –, car parks, vending machines, groceries, utility
bill payments and now receiving government subsidies. This card can be bought at
any MTR station and topped up easily at any convenience store, or installed as an
application on your mobile phone. You may also apply for the automatic top-up service
with your local bank, so you will never run out of credit, and might even accumulate
award points. |
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8. |
Hong Kong international schools’ search |
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There is a multitude of options in Hong Kong
when it comes to schools and curriculums. They range from local public,
government subsidized to fully international kindergartens, primary and high schools
which can educate your child from age 3 right through 18. We strongly recommend
you research on and apply for school for your children as early as possible
because popular schools receive a huge number of applications and have only a
limited number of annual seats. You may even need some good luck. |
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9. |
Join a club |
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Being a member of a private club in Hong Kong is
a luxury. It is a great place for networking and provides a change of scenery
when it feels like your small apartment is closing in on you. Clubs also offer
the chance to be involved in sports like sailing and golfing, plus access to
good value food and drinks (most clubs offer good value for money on this
front). If you have kids, access to children’s activities and events will also be
much welcome. |
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10. |
Hire a domestic helper |
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If you will likely be too
busy with your assignment and have no time to tidy up your own place, you may hire
a foreign domestic helper (typically from the Philippines or Indonesia) to help
you out with your house chores. A foreign domestic helper may only be employed on
a full-time and live-in basis on a 2-year contract. Most ex-pat (particularly
those with children) families will hire a domestic helper or nanny to assist with
their housework and the caring of their children. |
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11. |
Bring your pet with you |
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Maybe you already have one or more pets in your domicile country. Depending on where you choose to live, Hong Kong is remarkably pet friendly. Unlike its reputation, Hong Kong is not an all-concrete jungle; there are bountiful of parks and an open area to set your four-legged friends free. There are also an unbelievable number of magnificent trails both on the Island and the New Territories, providing sumptuous places to exercise yourself and your pooch. Plus, there are pet-friendly cafes and open-areas, notably around Stanley in Southside, or the new hotspot for expats in Tseung Kwan O.
Obviously, you will need to thoroughly verify the pet type, quarantine rules and the related costs before bringing your pet here. |
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12. |
Healthcare |
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Hong Kong offers a wide
range of world-class healthcare services, and you may elect to go public and pay
extra dollars for private service from privately owned hospitals and clinics.
Holding a HKID will entitle you to the public healthcare services at an
affordable price. You may also have private health and dental coverage if you
are employed by a large or multinational company. Do check with your sponsoring
company. |
If you wish to obtain more
information or assistance, please
visit the official website of Kaizen Immigration Services Limited at www.kaizenvis.com or
contact us through the following and talk to our professionals:
T: +852 2341 1444
M: +852 5616 4140, +86 152 1943 4614
WhatsApp/ Line/ Wechat: +852 5616 4140
Skype: kaizencpa