My girlfriend has a work visa problem in Hong Kong

OK, my American girlfriend just lost her job and is extremely stressed about getting deported. Her work visa wasn't suppose to expire until the end of the year, and she's afraid to ask at immigration. I really don't know anything about this kind of stuff, but have seen other similar stuff on the forums. Any advice, or links to advice would be greatly appreciated. Relationship is not much fun at the moment.

I don't understand what the worry is. What does she think will happen, they'll send her to the gallows? I would assume the work permit was sponsored by that employer and now becomes void. HK Immigration is VERY professional and I'm sure there are provisions in the rules for a timely and orderly revocation of the permit and reasonable time given to leave the territory... and if you're both so worried, all she has to do is leave Hong Kong and come back again and she'll immediately get 90 days tourist visa... and then look for another job.

The permit she has now is only valid for the employer that sponsored her. It cannot be transferred or used anywhere else. Any new employer will have to sponsor a new permit.

Call immigration and ask them the details about the procedures in these circumstances, or go to the immigration website and read the rules. I don't think they'll have anyone tracking your IP and tracing you with lasers beams and satellites.

Alternatively, you could continue having nightmares the Triads are on their way to cut you both into little pieces. If she's lucky, they'll only kidnap her and sell her into prostitution in Macau. You could go visit her on the ferry.

Mandi - your sarcasm is legendary mate!!

Sarcasm, it’s what sets us Brits apart from the rest of the (humourless)World.

That and inventing sports that everyone else is better at.

We still rule the Sporting World in proper sports, such as Darts and Snooker.

^sometimes cricket and rugby!

Yeah, Cricket seems to be the Sport in which we are excelling at the moment, although perhaps we should be re-named the South African Exiles. Whisper it, but there could be an England Ashes victory downunder.

...and Tiddlywinks I think, though the Americans are getting better at it.

The Americans only play Girls Sports. Netball, Rounder’s and they even managed to turn Rugby into a watered down version where players wear Kevlar pads and helmets. Still I look forward to seeing two American protagonists playing in the ‘World Series’ of tiddlywinks.

^dunno seems yanks are quite good at MMA. And not sure I would make too much fun of the american football players - they are huge and don't doubt they might hurt our typical rugby players even without pads.

I would not describe MMA as a Sport; obviously, it’s more of a martial art. You only need to look at a Rugby player to understand they are a tough breed, especially the Pacific Islanders; they would eat an American Football player for breakfast. I’m not much of a Rugby fan but I once attended a Barbarians game at Twickenham and I met a few of the players, Martin Johnson was without doubt the most imposing person I have ever met, I’m 6’1 and 14 stone and he made me look like a little boy!!

As far as I know, your other half's employment visa would remain valid until the expiry date on the visa. But she is not allowed to do any kind of work for any other company (paid or unpaid), other than her sponsoring company. Which would give her time to find another job and go through the process of applying for a new employment visa. As Mandrunk says, call HK immigration, they don't bite.

Ok,well thanks for those being helpful.

Ruben,

Sorry for all of the off-topic posts, but Mandrunk has pretty much summed up everything for you. And it's simple, really. There's really nothing to worry about - certainly not deportation...unless, of course, there is something you're not telling us.

You say that your girlfriend is afraid to ask immigration - what about making an anonymous phone call?

Anyway, stop worrying. Her visa is still good (I assume), and if she hasn't found a job before it expires (and acquired a NEW work permit from a new employer), all she has to do is take the ferry in to Macau and back for a 90 day tourist visa - rinse and repeat until she finds a job.

Unless, of course, her stress is attributed to the fact, that, you do not want (or, are unable) to support her/the both of you during that process....

In any event, if she is willing to hop over to Shenzhen and teach English in lieu of returning home, I may be able to put you/her in contact with someone that can help. I do not know how practical it would be for her to continue staying in HK during that process, however, if she is willing and able to start in September and honor a 1-year contract, I may be able to help.

Good luck.

so you brits have sense of humor? LOL how about normal teeth hahahaha

I'll have you know that the yellow staining on my teeth is perfectly normal.

^think the yank has been watching too many austin power films!

...not only do we have one, we can spell humour too!

All us Brits have bad teeth, Just as all Americans need dialling wands to use their telephones as their pudgy fingers are just too fat to manage to press individual buttons.