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11. Working in Hong Kong

Hong Kong at a Glance

Working in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's stock exchange is located in the Central district.

For decades, working in Hong Kong has been popular among those seeking new challenges abroad. Since the start of its economic boom in the 1960s, the smallest of the “Asian Tigers” has not only been a major destination for foreign investments. It has also attracted many foreign specialists working in Hong Kong.

Due to its location, free port status, well-developed infrastructure and low taxation, the city continues to be a regional investment hub and financial center. The number of expats working in Hong Kong remains high. However, recent economic downturns and increasing numbers of well-qualified local graduates have led to a competitive job market. Working in Hong Kong has become increasingly difficult for expats. Particularly those expats trying to find work in Hong Kong without an intra-company transfer have to jump some hurdles.

Working in Hong Kong: Visa Requirements

The developments described above are also reflected in visa policies regarding expats who want to start working in Hong Kong. To apply for an “Employment for Professionals” visa, you need to have a confirmed job offer and your potential employer has to sponsor your visa application. Moreover, they have to prove that the position in question cannot be filled by a local, which makes working in Hong Kong even more difficult.

As you can imagine, finding an employer willing to sponsor your visa is not easy. Self-made expats who want to start working in Hong Kong can try to find a company from home via an online job search. Others actually travel to Hong Kong on a temporary visa to search for an opportunity of working in Hong Kong. However, even if you succeed, remember that you are not allowed to start working in Hong Kong on a temporary visa. Instead, you have to leave and re-enter the country on a visa which is actually valid for working in Hong Kong.

Working in Hong Kong: Professional Qualifications

So, in which fields can you find opportunities for working in Hong Kong? It is mostly multinational companies that provide vacancies. Expertise and professional experience in the banking and IT sectors are especially sought after.

Additionally, hard skills in accounting and finance or in the legal sector greatly increase one’s chances of working in Hong Kong. Remember that working in Hong Kong, even for a multinational company, requires some command of Cantonese or Mandarin.

The easiest way to start working in Hong Kong as an expat is via transfer by your current employer to the company’s branch in Hong Kong. This doesn’t only save you the difficult task of an overseas job search; it also increases your chances of receiving a visa for working in Hong Kong.

When working in Hong Kong at a branch of your current company, you fall under the so-called Intra-Company Transfer Arrangement. In this case, in order to get you a visa for working in Hong Kong, your company only needs to prove that you have been working for them for over a year and that your salary and benefits for working in Hong Kong will be comparable to local standards.

Working in Hong Kong: Expat Allowances

There are a couple of things expats working in Hong Kong should be aware of when it comes to their contract and mandatory social security contributions. Although remuneration packages with specific “expat allowances”, including extended benefits for foreign experts, are becoming increasingly rare, there are some issues you should pay attention to when negotiating your contract.

Carefully check what the company offers you in terms of a housing allowance and private health care coverage. These are the largest parts of an expat family’s annual budget and deserve special attention. Expats with kids should clarify beforehand if the employer holds a debenture for one of Hong Kong’s expensive international schools or is willing to purchase one.