Aussie Looking to emigrate to HK ASAP

[DoFoT9]

Hello all,

Just signed up for this forum. It looks like a great community!

I guess I should start by giving a short bio -
* 22 year old Australian resident male (with passport)
* Graduated Uni in 2010 (Bachelor of IT)
* Obtained Australian Higher School Certificate
* 1 years experience call centre work for IBM
* Currently working as IT support/system administrator (since Jan this year) for a company. I am the only IT staff member for IT support (80 workers in the office, and 100+ reps that are out all over the country)
* Extremely active in sports - I train tennis 5 times a week and want to become a semi-professional
* Drummed for 14+ years, would say yes to touring the world with a band playing live if the opportunity presented itself

But IT is my career path, so I am after a job of sorts in HK. I would really like to emigrate by the end of the year if possible. I have been applying for (lots of) jobs online, but have not had much success obviously due to the fact that I do not have a working visa, and am not in the country (even though I would move in a heart beat).

So what are my options? Is there a work visa that I can apply for WITHOUT a job offer? Should I use some saved money, move to HK, give myself a month to try and find a job?

Basically, I am confused about what is the best way to make this happen. I am getting quiet desperate - the authorities have not been very helpful thus far. They just say basically "find a job".

Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks so much!

[Claire ex-ax]

You can't just "emigrate" to Hong Kong. You must a visa which allows you to stay here. Visas include employment (you must have a job and sponsor who can show no one in HK qualified for the job), QMAS ("quality migrant admission scheme" which you need sufficient points but can take a year to get), Investment (lots of money, something like HK$10 million), dependent (need a spouse on a visa or is a Permanent Resident), and study.

You can though check out the Working Holiday Visa, which allows you to stay in Hong Kong for 12 months and work for employer (3 months max. per employer). Not renewal. Can look for a "proper" job while on the WHV. There is a quota.

[hello_there]

ps. in addition to Claire's very concise and correct post above, do a search on this site for types of jobs/ roles that can support a work visa. for entry level IT spots it would be tough I believe as this is one area where there is local talent. Working Holiday Visa is probably your best bet then as noted, look for a real job while flipping burgers or whatever on the side. At least it gets you here.

[DoFoT9]

Thanks for the great replies so far guys. Very information (however much they break my heart!).

The Working Holiday Visa - isn't there a limited number of entries per year or something?

[Claire ex-ax]

Yes, as I mentioned there is a quota. For Australia it's 5,000 p.a. Plus you must have financial proof of at least HK$20,000.

[DoFoT9]

Yes, as I mentioned there is a quota. For Australia it's 5,000 p.a.

Makes sense, unfortunately

What about if I "move" to HK, with the 90 day holiday visa, and attempt to find a job during that time, where an employer will hire me and fill out the required paper work. Is that a possibility?

edit: I do have $20,000HK

[DoFoT9]

Additionally, what about the General Employment Visa? Is that the one that requires a prospective employer to file papers at the same time?

[bak875]

do you want to study further? I know costs are a major factor, maybe enroll into a Master Degree in HK. You'll get a feel for the place make contacts and maybe (depending on the course) your allowed to work for a year after graduation.

There isn't a thing as a General employment visa.

[Claire ex-ax]

If you come as a "visitor", I believe that technically you are supposed to be doing holiday stuff. However, many, many people do just that.

Steps:
1. Find a job.
2. Get employer to sponsor an employment visa (note: not all are willing to do this; many will even put this in the ad)
3. Wait to see whether Immigration will issue you an employment visa. Sponsor must show they can't find a permanent resident in Hong Kong who can do the job. The pay must be at a certain level - many disputes here as to how much that is and that's why entry-level jobs (many paying $8-10K a month) won't usually pay enough and employee won't have enough experience to warrant an employment visa.
4a. If no employment visa issued, you leave after 90 days wondering whether to try again.
4b. Employment visa issued and you go to Macau for the day so you can re-enter HK on the visa.

If 4b, realise how crazy the rents are in Hong Kong; post back on Geoexpat to complain about it and asking where to find some place cheap to live.

[MovingIn07]

Makes sense, unfortunately

What about if I "move" to HK, with the 90 day holiday visa, and attempt to find a job during that time, where an employer will hire me and fill out the required paper work. Is that a possibility?

edit: I do have $20,000HK

That's a grey area. I believe, having reviewed the various legislation, that moving with an intent to stay is illegal. And certainly some people have been deported before they found jobs etc. However, if you come here on holiday, stay in hotels / with friends and act like a tourist while looking for a job, that's fine. If you come here, rent a flat, flip burgers for cash on the black market - very risky and deportable.