Moving to Hong Kong in Jan 2014

Maslowmarc · 29-10-2013, 11:48 PM

Thanks for all the help guys...

We certainly wouldn't marry just to make visa life easier. The gf is applying to study for a PHD at one of 3 Universities in HK but they won't confirm the place until April (despite application date being Dec) and we move in Jan. Was hoping she could work the 3 months in between but if not, then so be it. She'll be equally as happy doing some voluntary/charity work (if that's even allowed).

Looking forward to the move and I'll def check out the locations mentioned online.

Gruntfuttock · 30-10-2013, 12:35 AM

Nope - not even voluntary work is allowed. She isn't allowed to reside here at all without an appropriate visa, so telling people (particularly immigration people) that she is "moving" here without one carries some risk.

Maslowmarc · 30-10-2013, 12:50 AM

Not even voluntary work? Bummer. Oh well...guess it's just a holiday for the time-being then. Shame shame. Fortunately we won't be running the risk of officially telling anyone in immigration anything personally, the people I work for have a 'mobility unit' that sort out visas for us. It'll be a matter of seeing what they say. Appreciate the heads up though.

Gruntfuttock · 30-10-2013, 12:55 AM

Well when she presents herself at the immigration desk at the airport the officer may ask the purpose of her visit...

Maslowmarc · 30-10-2013, 02:01 AM

I fear you misunderstood me, we'll be doing it all officially through work so there won't be any need to be worrying about immigration (even if it means delaying matters a bit to get us both sorted officially). Looking forward to the move too much to risk anything untoward. Really do appreciate the comments from one and all though.

dipstick · 30-10-2013, 02:22 AM

I think you misunderstand too. All that can be officially done for your gf is a tourist visa. When she arrives in HK she might be asked why she is coming here and if she answers to live with you she might get flagged. Assuming she is British and white the chance of her being asked anything is very small

Maslowmarc · 30-10-2013, 03:06 AM

Cool, thanks dipstick. I understand completely what you're both saying. We'll sort something out even if it means waiting until her student visa comes through in April (as per my earlier post). I'm in a fortunate position where work will def wait. Any more advise on locations would be better appreciated? Thanks

boroboy · 31-10-2013, 05:55 PM

my girlfriend lived with me in HK for 1.5 years until we got married. We didnt even need to do a visa 'run' because we naturally left the country more frequently than 6 months. The first time she came she flew in on a one way ticket too! This was about 2.5 years ago. Not recommending it, but just to put your mind at ease.

auss · 31-10-2013, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by boroboy:

my girlfriend lived with me in HK for 1.5 years until we got married. We didnt even need to do a visa 'run' because we naturally left the country more frequently than 6 months. The first time she came she flew in on a one way ticket too! This was about 2.5 years ago. Not recommending it, but just to put your mind at ease.

Enter grunt stage left!

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