Freelancing From Hong Kong as an Expat

[HowardCoombs]

@all ahh sorry guys. Maybe I should be more open about my goals!

So the ultimate goal here is to be an "international" worker, working remotely from wherever I want. I'm a software engineer.

So, I'm happy to adhere to HK's visa rules. I think I get 3 months as a british national. Then after 3 months maybe I'll work somewhere else, or I'll go to Thailand for a few months, then come back to Hong Kong.. it's really not set in stone.

You get 6 months as a brit, but that is only for visiting and not for "working" - if you work, you are fracturing laws. See point 4: http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/h...ry-permit.html

Ideally I'd love to have Hong Kong as a base. I think it's legal for me to go out and back in as many times as HK immigration allows me too.

What they allow depend on their mood and is not guaranteed. If they dont like the look of you, they can refuse you entry.

The secondary goal is, it would be great to take advantage of HK's low tax rate to run by freelancing business. But I'm thinking that's not possible.

Ofcourse its possible. Go live in Thailand and run a HKG business.
It doesnt make sense to me, but its definitely possible.

In terms of incorporating in the UK. You guys are right, it doesn't help me be a resident in HK. But that's ok, I don't need to be a resident. I only wanted to take advantage of the tax rate if I could legally.
But otherwise I have to incorporate somewhere right? And I figure the UK is the only place right now?

You're not getting it. Why incorporate in the UK? What advantage does it give you?
Why not Jersey, Bermuda, Bahamas, HKG, Singapore or one of a zillion of other possibilities? What advantage does incorporating in the UK give you? Based on what you've written, it makes no sense at all.

[bak875]

Two options, both will involve the OP needing to be sponsored by a HK employer which has its own hurdles:
1) Approach a HK company and tell them that you can bring steady business from an Australian client and you manage that account.
2) Get employed (the usual way) by a HK company and then set up a sole proprietorship and do business on the side. HK employer does not need to know.

[bibbju]

so if u can get a bank account here - you might be ok... altho there is some risk - but for baiscally half mill a year u aint exactly the big money launderin king pin they searchin for...

Definitely more than "some risk" in this. If your bank has the slightest suspicion that you're doing anything illegal or your funds are a result of illegal activity (which the OP's will be as they will come from him working illegally in HK), they MUST report it or the bank staff themselves risk fines and/or jail time. Regardless of the amount!

OP, you would be very foolish to go down this route unless you're fond of porridge and drop your soap a lot.

[emx]

Ideally I'd love to have Hong Kong as a base. I think it's legal for me to go out and back in as many times as HK immigration allows me too.

The secondary goal is, it would be great to take advantage of HK's low tax rate to run by freelancing business. But I'm thinking that's not possible.

You won't have any tax benefit here on a tourist visa.

I hope you have health insurance to cover extended stays away from the UK.

[HowardCoombs]

I'm talking to the HSBC tomorrow to try and set up a bank account here. And then yeah... that's the kind of other option, to just invoice them as me, and forget the tax altogether.

I thought you wanted to do things legally??
Your direction mentioned above is going to break laws on 2 fronts:
a) IMMD laws as you're not supposed to work
b) IRD laws as I presume you'll not be declaring this in your taxes in HKG

[hullexile]

btw I knew an Andy Rose, family from Donnie or somewhere near, you are not thatandyrose are you?

[scrambler]

Definitely more than "some risk" in this. If your bank has the slightest suspicion that you're doing anything illegal or your funds are a result of illegal activity (which the OP's will be as they will come from him working illegally in HK), they MUST report it or the bank staff themselves risk fines and/or jail time. Regardless of the amount!

OP, you would be very foolish to go down this route unless you're fond of porridge and drop your soap a lot.

not if he's workin in a hotel in thailand...

and I never met any member of the HSBC ( or insert other local bank ) who could be described as even remotely awake...

[scrambler]

You get 6 months as a brit, but that is only for visiting and not for "working" - if you work, you are fracturing laws. See point 4: http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/h...ry-permit.html
What they allow depend on their mood and is not guaranteed. If they dont like the look of you, they can refuse you entry.
Ofcourse its possible. Go live in Thailand and run a HKG business.
It doesnt make sense to me, but its definitely possible.
.

yeah but if he's a month in thailand - 3 weeks in macau - etc etc.. and only in hong kong itself for 3 months every 3 months then i doubt he'll be red flagged.


to OP - mate you're good for the economy - keep it up

[bibbju]

I thought you wanted to do things legally??
Your direction mentioned above is going to break laws on 2 fronts:
a) IMMD laws as you're not supposed to work
b) IRD laws as I presume you'll not be declaring this in your taxes in HKG

As Howard rightly says, OP what you're suggesting is illegal.

Also, you will be still legally be a UK resident (since you won't be legally resident anywhere else, you can't claim to be non-resident) which means that if you bring the proceeds of overseas work into the UK, you are still liable to be taxed by HMRC on it.

I don't know how to say this in a nice gentle way but you need to do a lot more research - and maybe become a bit more mature Just because the rules don't suit you, it doesn't mean you can just ignore them. You need to find a legal way of achieving your end goal or it will, without doubt, end badly for you.

[jimbo]

yeah but if he's a month in thailand - 3 weeks in macau - etc etc.. and only in hong kong itself for 3 months every 3 months then i doubt he'll be red flagged.


to OP - mate you're good for the economy - keep it up

Not if he's not paying taxes