Work Visa Expiring! Laid Off! Help!

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    29

    Work Visa Expiring! Laid Off! Help!

    I'm sort of panicing!
    OK, my work visa expires later this month. I was actually laid off on Dec 31 of last year. Looked around for a new job but there doesn’t seem to be any so I started investing in the markets on my own and have done well. If I leave by the expiration date and come back on a tourist visa (for me its 90 days), maybe a week later, will that be OK? I have a lease on my apt for finish and would like to stay. Its really not feasible for me to wind down if I’m not permitted to stay.

    Also, for the Quality Migrant Scheme, since I got the work visa the first time, should I assume that I would likely qualify? What’s the turnaround time? My self assessed score is 110.

    Last edited by Caron; 06-08-2009 at 05:19 PM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast Marina
    Posts
    17,934

    Why do you want to wait a week? A daytrip to Macau would be fine (usually) for the first time. You are on holiday right? You said it yourself, not working, just having a great time. That's all you need to say if asked. MIght be pushed if you do this every 90 days for the next few years.....!


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    150

    You can leave before work visa expires and come back after a week on tourist visa. shouldn't be a problem. but may become a problem if you keep leaving every 89 days and coming back, for about a year or two.

    As for the Quality Migrant Scheme, it's quite easy to qualify. Turn-around time is a bit long, coz you need interview and consideration by a committee and all. Am guessing about 6 months. If you are a non-Mainland applicant, you may have an edge because they get too many Mainland applicant and would be happy to see some diversity in the application pool.


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    29

    So you guys have been in a similar situation and tried what you suggest or know of someone directly who was successful in the leave and return? I don't mind taking a vacation out of HK for a week.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    12

    . . . my working visa exired 31st July . . . ID advised that if i remained after its expiry that I would be deemed to be an 'alien' . . . [no jokes plse] . . . so I departed to Macau last Friday, spent a great time in a casino, met some great ppl, dinner etc . . . then returned into HK just past midnight . . . 1st August . . . on a tourist visa . . . simple . . . well for a UK national on a visa waiver scheme . . . .