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Married Spouses |
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Can I Work?
If you are accompanying your spouse and they have a work visa then yes. Effective from 15 May, 2006 dependent visa holders are free to take up both paid and unpaid work. There is no need to apply for a separate visa. Initially you will most probably come to Hong Kong under a visitor visa and then once your spouse has been issued with an employment visa you will both be able to remain in Hong Kong under his employment visa.
If you’re unmarried and coming to live in Hong Kong with a partner and wanting to work it simply means that you have to either start your own business or find a job with an employer that requires your specific skill set and they will apply for a work visa for you. Be warned though, this is not an easy path to travel down so you will need to be patient.
The HK Immigration Department will be able to provide you with an overview of the rules and regulations by simply viewing their web site as follow.
It has to be said that finding work in Hong Kong is not easy. Hong Kong has suffered greatly over the years beginning with the Asian financial crisis and then SARS. These episodes plunged Hong Kong into a severe economic downturn and surged the unemployment rate of local people in Hong Kong. However, if you have a specific skill that is sought after you should not have too many difficulties. If you are serious about working in Hong Kong a helpful suggestion would be to try and learn how to speak Mandarin as that will surely put you ahead of the person next to you with the same skill base but no language proficiency. If you choose not to work, there are plenty of charitable organisations that always need a helping hand. |
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Is Driving Easy? |
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Yes. For overseas driving licence holders who wish to drive in Hong Kong, they may do so through one of the following means:
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Apply for a full driving licence by direct issue without test; |
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Apply for a temporary driving licence; |
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Driving on strength of their valid overseas driving licence or international driving permit if they are visitors to Hong Kong (visitors mean that they arrive Hong Kong other than to take up residence for a period exceeding 12 months). |
More information can be found through the Transport Department on www.td.gov.hk/public_services/licences_and_permits |
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What's the Healthcare Like? |
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Healthcare in Hong Kong is of a very high standard offering a wide variety of expatriate and local doctors. We have many fine GPs, gynaecologists, obstetricians and other specialists working in Hong Kong so rest-assured you’ll be well taken care of. There are three main hospitals that are frequented by expatriates. The Matilda Hospital (primarily a birthing hospital), The Adventist Hospital which is more of a surgical hospital and The Canossa Hospital. These hospitals are located on Hong Kong Island.
Medical insurance is very expensive in Hong Kong and if your company does not include it in your employment package then it would be wise to take out some form of medical insurance when you get here. It is possible once you have obtained your HK Identity Card to use the public hospitals but lengthy waiting times and not being able to select the doctor of your choice are two of the drawbacks of the public system. However if you have to go that route then the public system would serve your needs very adequately. |
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New & Expectant Mothers |
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Firstly congratulations!
Secondly, if you are considering having your baby here in Hong Kong, relax. Most expats mums give birth at either The Matilda Hospital (www.matilda.com) or The Adventist Hospital (www.hkah.org.hk). The maternity wards offer the services of both expatriate and local doctors and fine midwifery services as well. The doctor of your choice may work out of both hospitals or only one of these hospitals.
Natural birthing and traditional delivery services are offered at both hospitals. The Adventist offers pre-natal classes for parents, whilst The Matilda has an extensive education programme covering ante-natal and post-natal care as well as exercise classes for pregnant women including yoga. A good public hospital for birthing is the Queen Mary Hospital in Pokfulam.
If you are looking for an OBGYN, here’s some for you to consider.
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Dr. Arabinda Gosh
Tel: 2525 1251 |
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Dr Milton Leong
Tel: 2523 3007 |
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Dr Robert Dawkins
Tel: 2523 7036
www.qualityhealthcareasia.com
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Dr Derek Lo
Tel: 2522 0691 |
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Dr Sally Ferguson
Tel: 2824 9112 |
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Dr Lucy Lord
Tel: 2824 0822 / 2522 0691 |
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Dr Paul Kennedy
Tel: 2824 0822 |
The cost of delivering your baby at a private hospital depends on the treatment required by the patient. For example do you want a traditional birth or C-section? And of course if there are complications that will run the cost out further. However as a general guide the costs of a traditional delivery are HK$40,000 – HK$70,000. C-sections range from HK$25,000 – HK$45,000. These costs do not include doctors fees, medications, board or serious complication charges. As well, the standard of room selected by the patient also affects the total price.
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Cool Things That Other Women Do |
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So many women come here and find their feet. Their creative side kicks in and before long they've got a business up and running: jewellery design, fashion design, painting, volunteering, interior design, photography, retailing, wine import, swimming coaching, tutoring, pottery, makeover consultants.
A good place to start to network is the Women's Forum (www.womensforum.com.hk). At any of their functions you will find these women willing to share their stories on how they got started. Also check out the YWCA (www.esmdywca.org.hk) for their short-courses. |
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