CentreO Blog

No doubt, traveling between Hong Kong and China is quite common among HK expats.  So it is important to stay up to date with all the entry and exit policy changes.

And speaking of the devil, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China has announced new immigration  regulations, effective as of September 1^st, 2013.

The KEY changes are:

• Professionals – High-level foreign professionals and individuals with talent in high demand will receive a new R-visa.
• Family Reunion – Any Chinese national with a family member or adopted children will receive a new Q-visa.
• Relatives – A spouse, parents, parents-in-law and children under 18 related to a long-term staying work visa holder in China will receive a new S-visa.
• During the entry visa application process, China authorities may request a face-to-face interview.
• China authorities shall acknowledge visa extension and visa re-issuance applications within seven days. While the authority is withholding passports and travel documents during the application process, the applicant will have a valid immigration status.

• Local Public Security Bureau (PBS) may retain biometric identification, such as fingerprints, during the application process.

• When submitting a Residence Permit application of over a one-year duration, a medical examination report must also be submitted, completed within a six month period of application.
• China authorities shall acknowledge Residence Permit extension, replacement and re-issuance applications within 15 days.

• PBS may access any application via phone interview, face-to-face interview, on-site audit and audit of any means to verify the validity of information provided. Applicant and local sponsoring entity must cooperate with the PBS.

At the same time, make sure to not “overstay your welcome” in China:

1. Overstay in China after the visa period.
2. Overstay in China after the visa free period.
3. Visa holder is acting beyond the condition of stays.

So you are considering a change of jobs? And you already have your next dream position or have even decided to start your own business? No matter how excited you are about your new prospects, there are visa issues to think about.

You will need to undergo what is known as sponsorship application before you start working for anyone else in Hong Kong, including yourself!

You have to look at it as an entirely new visa application. The “employment” stamp in your passport is not a carte blanche to work for just anyone you like and you have to consider legal ramifications.

So what will you have to do?

If you are seeking to work for another employer you have to pass the employment visa approvability test.

If you are seeking to work for yourself – or in partnership with someone else – you have to pass the investment visa approvability test.

For more detailed instructions on getting those, we recommend visiting the Hong Kong Visa Handbook.

You should expect the process to take between 4 and 8 weeks or even longer, depending on

–       the quality of your application

–       the overall length of your stay in Hong Kong

–       and whether or not you have already breached your conditions of stay by taking up an unauthorized employment or embarking on a business venture of your own

Remember: it is illegal to work for an employer other than your current visa sponsor. There is no such thing as a “flexible” working visa in Hong Kong.

Every new employment or business activity proposed must be cleared first by the Director of Immigration and you could find yourself in some very hot water if you do not comply with Hong Kong’s immigration laws.

 

 

 

 

Remember: ignorance is no defense!

 

 

November 27^th brings us a wonderful opportunity to grow as networkers and online marketers. Learn more about Linkedin – the biggest business networking tool with over 230 million members at a FREE workshop, organized by HKTDC.

How can Linkedin boost your business?

Are you making the best of your presence in the network?

How to make yourself visible to potential clients? Drive website traffic? Generate new leads?

These and other questions will be answered on November 27^th from 3.30 to 5 PM by Pratik Vyas, managing director of T&R Digital Marketing Consultancy.

With a network of over 230 million business owners, professionals and executives, LinkedIn has become a powerful tool for business. Are you getting the most out of your presence within this network? In this workshop, you will learn how to use LinkedIn effectively to boost your personal brand, successfully network with high-profile individuals, make yourself discoverable to potential clients and partners, as well as drive traffic to your website and generate high quality leads for your business.

Mr. Pratik Vyas, Managing Director,
T&R Digital Marketing Consultancy

Mr. Pratik Vyas is the founder of a Digital Marketing Consultancy based out of Hong Kong that specializes in helping fast growing small and medium businesses leverage Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media and Website Conversion Optimization Strategies to attract a constant flow of leads and sales to their business. Pratik also does one on one private advisory work with established business owners on how they can increase their revenues and profits by 100% – 1000% by implementing his direct marketing, lead generation, sales conversion and client retention strategies.

Pratik has lived and worked in New York, London and most recently Hong Kong. He previously spent 9 years in Sales Strategy and Business Development roles at Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, and Citibank. Groups of small and medium business owners and marketing professionals have attended Pratik’s digital marketing workshops and trainings in Hong Kong. Pratik is passionate about educating businesses on how they can use digital marketing platforms and strategies to grow their business

Yesterday, on November 14^th centre o and the one and only Stephen Barnes held their first visa talk in Shenzhen, at the cozy Boathouse restaurant in Shekou.

After the formal presentation, where Stepehen described in detail the process of getting a Hong Kong investment visa on your own, came the Q & A section.

The excited audience fired questions at Stephen:

“How long should I stay in Hong Kong to get a residence permit?”

“Does my nationality matter?”

 “How much money should I have?”

Time flew by quickly and before we had to get  back to Hong Kong we encouraged our guests to follow Stephen’s blog and get free immigration advice on http://www.hongkongvisahandbook.com/

The evening was busy, informative and fun.

Big thanks to Stephen for being a great host! We’ll be coming back soon.

Little note: Despite the busy schedule, Stephen managed to enjoy Boathouse specialty  – a classic beef burger.

 

As of October 14^th 2010 the threshold for investment under CIES is $10 million HKD. Furthermore, real estate has temporarily been suspended as a permissible asset under the scheme.

 So what can you invest in? You can invest in stock, equities or debt securities (from an approved list) or a combination of the qualifying criteria.

You must be able to demonstrate the net value of the portfolio is at least $10 million HKD and have had the funds for two years prior to the application.

“Approval in principle” is granted for six months after your portfolio has been confirmed by HK immigration to be in excess of $10 million HK net to make the appropriate investment.

If you choose to invest in stock, equities or debt securities you will need to appoint a financial intermediary to manage the investment portfolio on their behalf.  Once the investment is confirmed by Hong Kong immigration you (and your qualifying dependents) will be issued a visa for two years which can be extended. This category is one of the leads to residency in Hong Kong after seven years.

NOTE: Unlike other categories that lead to residency you do not have to stay in HK continuously, but must maintain the investment throughout the seven year period.