British nationals got an early Christmas present with the Hong Kong Working Holiday Scheme in December 2013

Help - I Just Want to Work in Hong Kong But the Visa Situation is a Nightmare!

QUESTION

Hi Stephen,

From  May through November 2013 I was employed in a well known and large company in Hong Kong under the training visa for a period of 6 months.

During the end of this tenure the company decided to offer me a permanent position however I had to apply for this job under the employment visa.

Unfortunately this was rejected, as the Immigration Department feel this is a job that can be taken up locally.

I’m 23 years old with one years work experience after graduating from university but really want to stay in Hong Kong now I have embedded myself within the team I was working in and learning all the appropriate skills and practices for the role I was undertaking.

I have now become a highly valued member of my working team.

I want to ask whether already having a training visa then having a working visa rejected would affect my chances of  getting a working holiday visa?

I also have the option to move to Dubai where I have been granted a visa which can be used as a stop gap to get more experience then look to re-apply in Hong Kong.

But as my primary desire is to stay in Hong Kong can I use the working holiday visa as an additional years experience until the time comes that I need to re-apply for a working visa next year?

And how should I re-apply for that differently?

Can you kindly advise what is the best course of action?

Thanks

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

What chance of approval for a 3-6 month intern visa for Hong Kong & what documents are needed?

Can I work as an independant contractor in Hong Kong if I hold a working holiday visa?

How hard is it to transfer from a Hong Kong working holiday visa to a full employment visa?

Am I allowed to work full time even though I only have a one year Hong Kong working holiday visa?

Can I hold a second job while in Hong Kong working under a training visa?

PODCAST ANSWER