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  • 1 Post By flameproof

changing employers near 7 year mark

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  1. #1

    changing employers near 7 year mark

    Could someone advice what happens if one switches employers 6 months before permanent residency eligibility mark (eg: @6.5 years).

    Is the new visa issued only for 6 months or another stamp of 2 years?
    Would one still be eligible to apply for PR upon reaching year 7?
    Is there any other risk to getting PR status in changing jobs within year 6?


  2. #2

    Join Date
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    You can remain till the validity date of your current visa. Does that take you past the 7 year mark?


  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Sarcasm - because beating the crap out of people is illegal
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    Changing employers won't affect your PR application; however, you will need to get the new employer to sponsor your employment visa. ImmD will issue it as usual, i.e. not just till you reach the 7-year mark.


  4. #4

    If you change employer without being away from Hong Kong for an extended time or losing residency, you're fine. They'll probably give you a stamp for 2 years as getting PR is not an automatic thing. You have to apply for it once you reach 7 years.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2009
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    6,180
    Quote Originally Posted by nagernager:
    If you change employer without being away from Hong Kong for an extended time or losing residency, you're fine.
    In friend of mine, while inbetween jobs, took a 3 month time-out from HK for some travel. So he didn't fulfill the the 7 years continuously.

    Und one note for the desperate ones, jail time in HK does also not count as 'ordinary stay'.
    civil_servant likes this.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by flameproof:
    In friend of mine, while inbetween jobs, took a 3 month time-out from HK for some travel. So he didn't fulfill the the 7 years continuously.

    Und one note for the desperate ones, jail time in HK does also not count as 'ordinary stay'.
    During the 3 months away from HK, did your friend not have a valid visa?

    My understanding is that as long as you have continuous visas, with no period away from HK of 6+ months then it is fine.

    When you are reaching your 7 year mark, usually your visa should be longer than the 7 year mark to give you time to get your PR sorted. Until you have PR, regardless of the 7 year mark, you need approval to change employers.

    Current visa renewals are 3 years provided you have a permenant contract. Initial visas are 2 years, again provided it's a permenant contract.

  7. #7

    Hi- as above, your new employer would need to sponsor your Visa if you haven't got permanent residency. They would submit this via the immigration department, and usually takes 3-4 weeks to process. You wouldn't be able to start work until the Visa sponsorship is approved.