CentreO Blog

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.

The difference between investment and employment visas for new entities is that you will need to be a holder of company shares (the number of shares is different for each case).

What you will need to show:

• You must possess the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to benefit the company.
• The company must demonstrate that the new entity is potentially viable and the parent or overseas company or individual is capable of supporting the new venture (Bear in mind that being a major shareholder doesn’t give you an automatic right to live and work in Hong Kong).
•  You must demonstrate that there is a need or niche for the business and that it will potentially benefit other Hong Kong locals.
•  You must show to the immigration officer that there is a significant contribution to Hong Kong.
• An essential part of these applications is to provide Hong Kong immigration with a detailed business plan and cash flow forecast for the first year at least.

 

Here are a few helpful tips.

First, what does this visa cover?

–       intra-company transfer

–       new hire

–       training

–       investment

 What is there to consider?

There are three main points to think about: the sponsoring company, the applicant and the vacancy.

What questions need to be answered?

How long has the sponsoring company been around and how well it is established?

Will you be a shareholder and/or Director of the company?

Is it a genuine vacancy? What attempts has the company made to fill it in locally?

 Think of it as a “show and tell” with a bureaucratic spin, during which you and your potential employer will need to present proof and supporting documents.