Spouse job help

[QR27]

We are currently in the Middle East and husband has a possible job transfer to Hong Kong. Not really through choice but there you go! We think (not confirmed) that he will have an all in salary (we have similar here except we get a housing allowance as we live in a not so desirable part of the Middle East and the housing situation here is crazy.) I’m a bit worried about schooling fees although our son is only a baby right now. I am a teacher (currently work in an international British school.) Would it be easy for me to get a job on his visa? How likely would it be for me to get even a discount on fees? I’ve seen that teaching salaries are fairly good in Hong Kong but obviously every penny counts so any benefits would be good. Working out our combined income we should have a solid monthly income (about 150k a month) which is higher than we have now (we pay around 30k a month for housing including what we get in allowance) but it’s school fees that freak me out! It would also be pretty crap to have to work at one school and send my child to a different one! We are looking long term so this is thinking. Another question is can we bring our helper with us? I need to do a bit of research but I wanted to see if anyone had done this before? She is reaching the end of her career and to be closer to home for the last 2-3 years I think would be something she would like to do (I need to ask her first!!) Thanks for all the help in advance!

[rani]

There are a lot of new International schools in Hong Kong and you should be able to find a job fairly easily. Teacher's kids normally pay nominal school fees so I wouldn't worry about this. Bringing your helper isn't difficult either. Is she Filipino? If she is, you will need to send her home first and apply through an agency, cost will be around $6-8K to process her paperwok and will take 6-8 weeks.

[QR27]

Thank your reply. Yes she is from the Phillipines. That’s good to hear. I’m not sure if I would be entitled to school fees as the school I am at here because I was hired in the country and am on my husband’s visa I am consider local hire and get a salary only. Maybe it is different in Asia as this is standard in the Middle East.

Just one more question about housing. I think we will live on Hong Kong Island to begin so we are close to husband’s work. Any preferences for young family between Mid Levels, Kennedy Town, Quarry Bay or Happy Valley?

[Cornmeal]

Thank your reply. Yes she is from the Phillipines. That’s good to hear. I’m not sure if I would be entitled to school fees as the school I am at here because I was hired in the country and am on my husband’s visa I am consider local hire and get a salary only. Maybe it is different in Asia as this is standard in the Middle East.

My spouse was sponsored on my visa (dependent visa) and got a job at an international school no issues. Not sure about the fee waivers, they likely vary by school...

[QR27]

Thank you for your reply. Something to think about anyway. I’m hoping that because I don’t need a visa I could potentially negotiate even a discount in fees. Is your spouse a teacher? Does she/he enjoy the school?