Dependants Free to Work in HK

[esquire1113]

Hi fello expats... great news for the trailing spouse...

Expats' dependants free to work (source HK News)

The dependants of professional workers or capital-investment entrants admitted into Hong Kong will not need prior permission before taking up employment from May 15 onwards, the Immigration Department announced today.

The new policy governing the conditions of stay for expatriates' dependants will take effect from May 15 onwards.

The Immigration Department said the policy would help enhance Hong Kong's edge in attracting professionals and investors as their dependants' visas or entry permits granted on or after May 15 will not be subject to employment restrictions.

Those who are currently banned from working may apply to the department to remove the restriction for free; or they can wait to have their restriction cancelled when they apply for, and are granted, extension of stay upon the expiry of their current stay period.

There is no change to the arrangements for the dependants of people admitted into Hong Kong for study. They are not allowed to work unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration.

[KnowItAll]

Official Press Release

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0605120193.htm

Lifting of employment restriction on dependants of persons admitted as professionals or capital investment entrants
************************************************** *********

The Immigration Department announced today (May 12) the latest policy governing the conditions of stay of dependants. From Monday (May 15), the dependants of people admitted into Hong Kong for professional employment or as capital investment entrants will not need prior permission from the Director of Immigration before taking up employment in Hong Kong.

An Immigration Department spokesman said this would help enhance Hong Kong's edge in attracting professionals and investors.

"The specified categories of dependants granted dependant visas/entry permits on or after May 15, 2006, will be subject only to a limit of stay with no restriction on taking up employment," the spokesman said. "The specified categories of dependants who are currently subject to a condition of stay restricting employment may apply to the Immigration Department for cancellation of the restriction free of charge. Or, they can wait to have the restriction cancelled when they apply for and are granted extension of stay upon expiry of their current limit of stay.

"There will be no change to the arrangements applying to dependants of people admitted to study in Hong Kong. They are not allowed to work unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration," the spokesman explained.

Enquiries can be made with the Immigration Department at 2824 6111.

Ends/Friday, May 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:25

[sunniefaith]

This is great news...wish it came earlier though. I just told my employer there's no need to apply for my husband a dependent visa as he's not coming over.....well, maybe after a year in HK, I might apply for him

[peony]

I am glad to see the official transcript - as the SCMP this morning used the term spouse instead of dependent.

Great news for my trailing spouse - and many many others, I am sure.

However, when we moved here early this year, my firm said we did not need to get a dependent visa for our 19 year old daughter, as she is studying at a US university most of the year (although she is now intending to come to HK for the summer). When I pressed, they said only dependents 18 years and under are permitted, which seems difficult to believe (and of course my spouse is over 18)! I will speak with my firm's Human Resources department on Monday, but thought I'd see if anyone on this board may be able to enlighten me further. Even for a university summer course, it turns out she'd need a student visa. But a dependent visa should permit her to take courses and work (even bartending in LKF)!

[cheekybleeder]

Do we dependants have to apply for any special at immigration I wonder or can I fill out a Mc Donalds application on Monday????

This saves me a load of hassle if its gonna work

[shwetapershad]

This is great news!!

Do we need to go to the immigration department to get some sort of permission saying that we are permitted to work? Is there any last date to it?

[KnowItAll]

They might have to change the visa stamp. Like they say, if you have a stamp that says "not allowed to work" on your visa and you're a dependant, you'll have to go get them to change it.

Cheeky -- You're pretty much unemployable by McDonalds unless you're chinese.

[cheekybleeder]

Racist..............

[ct1]

...

Expats' dependants free to work (source HK News)

YEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

[esque]

i got my stamp changed to permitted to work when i got sponsored for my job.. do you think i need to do anything with immigration to enable me to work for employers other than my sponsor?