Is there much call for private tuition in Hong Kong?

[almightygoodgod]

I am a teacher moving to Hong Kong in August, once I have settled in I am keen to offer private tuition to subsidise my income; my subject areas are maths and science.

Is there much call for it in Hong Kong? It is quite in demand in the UK. Also, would anybody with experience of private tuition (either as the tutor or the customer) have information on rates?

Thank you

[PDLM]

Do you have the right to do that? If you are coming on an Employment Visa then you may only legally work for the employer that sponsors that visa.

[chingleutsch]

I was going to ask the same question.
I won't say that people on employment visas never give private tuition, but it has to be very much on the QT. If the Immigration Department does find them doing it, they are out of here.
If it seems tough, then just think of conditions imposed on foreign workers in your own country.

[drumbrake]

If you are familiar with the UK exams and syllabus, have a good degree, and get to meet the right clients, you should /could be charging around HK$500-800 an hour. At least this was true 10 years ago when tutoring for international schoolkids.

[shri]

There are a few teachers that help with IB prep work too.

[almightygoodgod]

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated.

To be honest the Visa issue never even occured to me, I know of two guys at my current school in the UK that are non-EU (Chinese and Kiwi) that do loads of private tuition and it is all above board as they actually declare it to the tax man, not that this has any relevance to the HK situation but why it never even occured to me.

Will have to look into the visa thing as it sounds like pretty decent money and a couple of hours a week would be right up my street, but I don't want to get risked getting kicked out though having only just arrived!

[gilleshk]

Many, many teachers here do tutoring on the side and no one I know declares it to the tax man. You could set yourself up very nicely here after a while and make good money. Some teachers leave their job and earn a comfortable living that way.

If you don't care about stability, you don't need to worry about a visa. Again, it's fairly common. Some come over and get set up like this until they find legal employment. Very unlikely you'll get caught but you'll have to do visa run and immigration could stop you at anytime and you wouldn't be allowed in so that's the risk you take.

[almightygoodgod]

Thanks again, the extra money would certainly be nice. Is good to know the option is there once I get settled in at work and get the lie of the land.

[DarrenChan]

The tax authorities here are not really concerned on your visa status.

Most private tutors here work by referrals or by posting adverts in supermarkets. Your rate would vary according to the geographical location, e.g. Mid-levels will be higher than Shatin.

[carang]

i tutored for almost 13 years (my aunt is also a tutor). our prices did not vary by location. we charged a flat rate.

i would strongly caution you, though, as in the years i tutored, i had MANY gov't civil servants, immig officers, customs officials, police officers etc as clients. i was always doing it LEGALLY, and i'm very glad of it.