Freelancers in Hong Kong are often faced with a round-pegs-in-square-holes visa situation that is not easily resolved.

This post attempts to deal with the challenge of visa approvability for these people and shed some light on what is actually do-able from an immigration perspective.

QUESTION

I am currently a full-time reporter in Hong Kong, I have a work visa. I plan to resign soon for various reasons and would like to stay in Hong Kong and be based here as a freelancer.

Once I resign, what happens to my current work visa?

Can I stay until it expires? I read that I could, but that I could not work until I get a new one, is that correct?

I read also that I would need to create my own business in order to sponsor myself; is that a difficult process?

What kind of documents do I need to show to the Immigration Department, does it take a long time to get a reply and what is the success rate?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Resources Referenced in the PodCast Answer

10 Must Have resources for any Hong Kong business investment visa application

Business Review – the sword of damocles for successful Hong Kong investment visa applicants

The anatomy of a ‘slam dunk’ Hong Kong investment visa approval taking just 7 weeks to approval

Hong Kong Visa D-I-Y Kit Sign Up

Weird & Wonderful Ways to Get Working Permissions in Hong Kong – The Entrepreneur Visa

PODCAST ANSWER