Moving to HK with finance

[bluelatte]

I will be moving to HK from the US next month for a new job, and will be entering on a work visa. My fiance will also be moving with me to HK, but she will not have any visas, how can she apply for a long term tourist visa to stay in HK for over 90 days? After we get married next year, I assume she can apply for dependent visa? Thanks.

[paul9]

Hello
I suggest you check out Hong Kong Immd.

Check out the section: Hong Kong Visas > Employment as Professionals > Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong. > V. Entry of Dependants

The rules around entry of dependents doesn't seem to necessitate marriage per se; it says only "reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependant and the sponsor." Note that there are restrictions on whether she can work (same is probably true for tourist visa). Good luck.

[PDLM]

After you get married she can get a Dependant Visa and then she is free to work, study, etc. There have be a negligible number of Dependant Visas granted for unmarried couples. I have not seen reports that don't involve children, a relationship of many years, shared property etc etc. And it takes many months to go through the process in these cases, by which time you'll be married anyway.

Before you get married, if you can show very firm marriage plans then she will probably be able to get a Long Term Visitors Visa. Soon after you arrive you should go to the Extension Section at 5/F Immigration Tower with the original documents which show the firm plans that you have to get married (venue reservations, invitations, etc etc).

If it's early next year that you plan to get married then your fiancée will very probably simply be able to get the 2 or 3 visitor's visas that she needs by going to Macau or elsewhere. You could simply plan to do this and only go to talk to Immigration about an extension if they start questioning her.

[leghk]

PDLM is right that renewing visitor visa is the simplest option if the time frame for your marriage allows.

Just to clarify this matter as it has been discussed before. Dependent visas are not issued to anyone who is not legally married. An extended visitor visa may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

From an email received directly from HK immigration -

"On this basis, the applications from unmarried or same sex
partners are outside the policy scope for being considered a dependant
visa.

Whilst unmarried or same sex partners are outside the scope of dependant
policy, there are occasions that mitigating or compassionate grounds may
exist in some applications that appeal for special consideration.
Should such be the case, exceptional approval may be considered for the
grant of a longer period of stay on visitor condition to the applicants
to facilitate his/her stay with his/her partner in Hong Kong."