skippers

I understand a Brit can stay in Hong Kong for up to 180 days without a visa. What are the regulations for working in Hong Kong? Is a visa required for this?

docboat

You most definitely need a visa to work in HK. http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm for some information.

skippers

How would I go about getting a Graphic Design job in Hong Kong? Would I need the visa first or the job offer first, and would I need to be able to speak Cantonese?

docboat

1. Best to come out here for an extended visit, and get to now the "scene". There are lots of good graphic designers here - all local, in the know and well connected.
2. Establish a network, maybe find a niche in design where you would flourish.

If competing with locals, you need to speak Cantonese, but more and more you need to speak Mandarin too. Most often they stipulate writing ability too. So you are pretty much restricted to working as an "expat" for a foreign company.

You could establish your own specialist business here - maybe in a niche market, and get a business visa, maybe an investment visa. But if you wanted a good old work visa in graphic design, you would need to be able to show why a local could not do the job you are doing.

skippers

Thanks for your help. Looks like it would be pretty tough.

t5haw

I'm looking to do exactly the same (Graphic Design in Hong Kong) and I was going to ask the same question. So ... should I look for a job firs or organize my visa? It seems there's a lot of 'English speaking' Graphic Design jobs in Hong Kong. But, they don't like it if you don't have a visa already. How do I get an open working visa?

skippers

That's a great question. Is there a way of getting a short term working visa just to get started?

jaykayhk

There isn't. To get a working visa a company here must sponsor you. They need to prove why a local cannot be employed to do that job. For graphic design that would be very difficult as HK is awash with them.

So be prepared to come out and network for a while if you are set on coming to HK. While on a visitors visa you are not able to work. If you can find a company willing to sponsor you then the visa process can take anything from 4 weeks to several months depending on how good the company is at applying for work visa's.

No other alternative other than an investment visa (bring in HK$6,000,000) or marrying a HK resident!

jaykayhk

There is no such thing as an open working visa. A company must sponsor and you are only able to work for that one company.

t5haw

Geeeez ... sounds really difficult then. Oh well I guess I won't bother

5ummer5

Hi,

I am looking to do this, establish my own business or maybe two in HK and I need some advice on how I would get a business visa. My post is here http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=592634.

Any advice you give will be very appreciated!

Thanks.