moving to hk or not????

Tukano · 07-06-2006, 03:33 PM

Hello there, i'm a new one in this forum.
I'm from Brazil and i've a Gf from Hk, we met each other online for more than a year now, and we have been using msn and phone calls. We have met each other last March, here in Hk for about 15 days.What happens is that we have been thinking lately about our future as a couple, and we are very worried about it. I just want to ask to the ones in this forum, especially to those who have been through the same or are experiencing the same, what are the possibilities of finding a job here in Hk, im not native english speaker, so i guess i should left the english tutor aside, i graduated from university with a major in Physical Education. Do i have any chance of finding a job here in Hk, so that we could be together???
Peace!!!!

PDLM · 07-06-2006, 03:43 PM

It would be much easier if you were married because in that case you would be able to work without your employer needing to sponsor you for an Employment Visa. I'm sure you would be able to find some casual work (in bars, restaurants, etc.) fairly quickly, and most people find some sort of permanent role within a few months. There are plenty of international schools here and a number of universities, so it is not unlikely that there may be opportunities to teach PE there. Good luck!

Tukano · 07-06-2006, 04:37 PM

Hey, thanx for the quick repply. So what you are basically saying is that i have to marry her so that i can get that " Employment Visa ", is that correct?Any other way is virtually impossible? I would like to do some tutoring, english i think its a waste of time, as most schools ask only for native speakers; I can speak fluently spanish although not native due to the similarity with my language mother, Portuguese.
"I'm sure you would be able to find some casual work (in bars, restaurants, etc.) fairly quickly, and most people find some sort of permanent role within a few months."
My Cantonese its not the best one, i started recently to learn it, i think i've seen posted here someone saying that u had to be fluent in Cantonese to take an job offer at a restaurant or a bar.

PDLM · 07-06-2006, 05:16 PM

If you are married then you would have a "Dependent Visa" which would allow you to work for anyone without any further paperwork. If you are not married then you have to get a specific Employment Visa sponsored by the employer you wish to work for - many employers prefer not to do this, and it may not be approved by the Immigration Department.

There are plenty of people working in bars/restaurants focussed on expats here who do not speak Cantonese.

One possibility to consider is that portuguese is an official language of Macau, so you might be able to find some work there. It is a long (but doable) daily commute...

Tukano · 07-06-2006, 05:34 PM

Actually, i was thinking of giving a try in Macau, but i must say i do not know much of Macau as i know Hk. I do know it was a portuguese colony,Portuguese its an official language there and it is considered by many to be the Las Vegas of Asia, but no more than this. Is it really a good idea to try Macau? and is the same standards needed to find a job in hk the same for getting one in Macau?

JaredHK · 07-06-2006, 05:56 PM

I hate to say this but you will have lots of problems finding good work in HK. You might want to try taking you fiancee to Brazil instead. HK employers are very biased towards S Americans especially Brazilians and Columbians. Macau is no better.

Tukano · 07-06-2006, 06:10 PM

hummmmmm, well, what a good awakening to reality. I'm not so sure that's a good idea for her to move to Brazil as her portuguese language proficiency not the most fluent, and here if u don't speak spanish or portuguese its very difficult to find a good job.

Boneco · 07-06-2006, 06:14 PM

Can anyone tell me why does Brazilians and Columbians get descriminated in Hk??
Is that descriminations towards South Americans or to everyone who doesn't come from an English-speaking country???
I'm from Portugal, will i find the same difficulties as a Tukano?

EUChinese · 07-06-2006, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by JaredHK:

I hate to say this but you will have lots of problems finding good work in HK. You might want to try taking you fiancee to Brazil instead. HK employers are very biased towards S Americans especially Brazilians and Columbians. Macau is no better.

On what bases you are making this comment about HK employers are very biased towards S Americans especially Brazilians and Columbians, is not really truth is it ?

What job r u in at the moment ? can yo get the same type of job ? or you can teach spanish ? do some translate works etc ?

some bars and resturants do employ non chinese speakers - well at least I have seen them b4

Tukano · 07-06-2006, 08:02 PM

I've recently finished my major in Physical Education, so im not employed in this business yet. As with Spanish, im not native but speak it near-fluency, so it's not a big deal for me, of course i think i'd better take a certificate or sumthing to teach it, but..., i dont know now what chances i have in Hk.I didn't knew they had some restrictions to south American people. Do they really do this to portuguese, spanish people??