Moving to Hong Kong – A Comprehensive Expat Guide

HK Is One of the Biggest Financial and Commercial Centers in the World

What makes HK stand out from other global cities? For starters, its status as one of China’s only two special administrative regions allowed it to become one of the world’s most important commercial and financial centers. It has one of the highest per capita incomes and the largest concentration of high-net individuals. It’s no surprise that it attracts so many American expats to its shores.

Aside from a healthy corporate climate, it features all sorts of incredible amenities, making it an excellent destination for singles and families alike. But before you start looking for an overseas shipping company, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this place before relocating here.

Is It Safe to Move to Hong Kong Now?

China might not seem like the friendliest country in the world, but that doesn’t stop HK from having one of the lowest crime rates among all global cities. Although there is still some crime in the area, the majority of felonies that occur are non-violent, with numbers comparable to Japan. While the current political situation might cause some concern, expats in the region have nothing to worry about. Avoid talking about your dissatisfaction with the Chinese government publicly, and you should be fine.

What Documents Do You Need to Move Here?

Now that we have gone over some of the city’s most important features, let’s look at the documents you will need to travel abroad to HK. While having a valid passport will allow you to stay in the city for up to six months, you’ll need a visa to extend your stay beyond this period. Considering that a work visa application process lasts about six to eight weeks and requires you to have a confirmed employment offer, it’s best to start looking for a company that will sponsor you even before relocating abroad.

While this all seems simple when you’re relocating to Hong Kong alone, someone with a family will probably have a ton of questions to ask the employer. The good news is that you’ll only need one worker visa for the entire household. As long as the principal visa holder is staying in the city, other members of your family will get a dependent visa, which will allow them to do the same. More importantly, this also means that your partner will also be able to work without applying separately. They won’t even be tied to the company that’s sponsoring you.

This type of visa is the best option unless you’re eligible for other visa types, such as the student visa or the journalist visa. If you’re not sure which type to go for, you can always contact the Chinese Embassy for more information.

What Other Documents Will Expats Living in HK Need?

Another important document to add to your moving abroad checklist is the HK identity card (HKID). If you’re planning on staying in the metropolis for over six months, you’ll start the application process within the month of landing. Considering that the local immigration offices can be pretty crowded, it might be good to book an appointment online. Make sure you have all the necessary documents before showing up at the meeting, including your passport, a valid visa, and a completed application form.

You should also know that the local law enforcement has the authority to request an identity check from anyone at any given time, so it’s best to keep the ID on you as soon as you take it out. Even children are not exempt from this, as anyone aged eleven or up must have a valid HKID card. To learn more about the entire application process, check out the Immigration Department’s website.

Lastly, you’ll also want to get yourself an Octopus Card. The debit style card is commonly used for everything from parking and public transport to grocery shopping and bills. More importantly, it includes a monthly subsidizing scheme. After the 16th of each month, cardholders can get 25% of their transportation expenses just by scanning the card at specific collection points, potentially saving up to $300. You can easily apply for one at any Massive Transit Railway (MTR) station and even some branches of Starbucks and 7-Eleven.

How Do You Get a Permanent Residency in HK?

If you’re planning on living overseas for the foreseeable future, getting a permanent residency is the obvious next step. This will allow you to live and work without any restrictions and even vote in the elections. However, becoming a permanent resident won’t be easy, as you have to live in HK for no less than seven years continuously.

Does this mean you can’t leave the country to go on vacation? As long as the city is your primary living location, you can still visit all the top fashion cities in the world without resetting the period. However, be aware that you can still lose citizenship if you’re absent from the administrative region for three years straight or more.

Where Should an American Expat Reside After They Move to HK?

Anyone who plans to live abroad needs to learn more about the city and its neighborhoods. For starters, did you know that it’s made of two parts? First up is HK Island, which is what most people think of when imagining the city. Its nightlife scene and high-rise apartments are well known around the world.

On the other hand, we have the Kowloon in the north, which primarily serves as the city’s entertainment, art, and shopping district. The northern part of the metropolis also features a more traditional atmosphere. While everyone has their preferences, some of the neighborhoods that should be on your radar include:

• Central – As the name suggests, the main business hub is filled with glittering skyscrapers and some of the city’s most exciting and exclusive amenities. The neighborhood is very well connected, so you won’t have trouble getting to where you need to be.
• Sheung Wan – The lively down-to-earth vibe of this area makes it a favorite among hipsters. It’s located right next to the Central District and features a ton of trendy coffee shops, eateries, stores, as well as some of the most popular tourist attractions.
• Mid-Levels – This primarily residential area will provide you with plenty of excellent views and hiking opportunities in the nearby Victoria Peak. The proximity to the business center makes it one of the more popular places among singles and younger couples, while families will find plenty of excellent private schools nearby. There are also boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
• North Point – What this area lacks in shopping malls, it more than makes up with significantly cheaper renting prices. If you’re looking for a more affordable home, this is the place for you.

Finding an Apartment Is Much Easier With a Good Agency

Finding appropriate accommodation is often challenging, so it’s probably a good idea to hire an agency to do it for you. Just remember to look for an expat agency, as these are much better at understanding what Westerners are looking for in a home. They also know where the best expat communities are, meaning you won’t even have to do a lot of research on your own.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Hong Kong?

Before you relocate across the world, make sure you can actually afford to live here. Since this is one of the best places to live abroad, it shouldn’t be surprising that it also has a relatively high cost of living. According to Numbeo, an expat moving overseas alone would need about $1,100 a month, while a family of four would need just below $4,000. This makes this city about 20% less expensive than NYC.

However, this number doesn’t include the rent costs, which mainly depend on the part of the metropolis you reside in. Smaller rentals cost significantly less, which is why many opt for them when they first move here. A one-bedroom apartment further from the center goes for about $1,900 a month, while a bigger rental or similar-sized place in the center costs anywhere from $2,500 to $3,800.

Is Moving to Hong Kong From the US Too Expensive?

While the higher costs and renting prices might be too much for an average American, remember that the prices in the US can also vary significantly depending on where you are. For example, someone who has lived in Orange County or NYC already had to pay a much higher rent for a decent place. In fact, people who live in some of the biggest US cities will probably not even notice the difference. However, considering you’ll need about two to three months’ worth of rent for the deposit, remember to save up enough money before you hire an international moving company and book overseas moving services.

What’s Healthcare in HK Like?

If you’re worried about relocating during the coronavirus outbreak, know that HK has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It features top medical professionals in every field, allowing you to get excellent care even in public medical facilities. While most of the native population uses the public system, American expats generally opt to get private health insurance. Besides saving precious time, it allows you to get a doctor who is fluent in English, something that is not guaranteed in the public sector.

What’s the Cost of Healthcare for an Expat in Hong Kong?

Considering everything we just discussed, you probably think that healthcare in HK must be incredibly expensive. On the contrary, anyone with a valid HKID card can use the public healthcare system, allowing you to get excellent treatment either for free or for a small fee. This means that you won’t have to worry about going broke after a single minor procedure. However, considering that a vast majority of the population uses the system, you could end up waiting a bit longer to get the necessary treatment.

However, dentistry is not included in the free package, so you’ll have to pay for any dental work that needs to be done. With that in mind, you’re probably wondering what the situation is in the private sector. While HK’s public healthcare is widely available and mostly free, premium private insurance policies are some of the most expensive in Asia. That’s why most expats are advised to get an international health insurance plan before relocating.

What Are the Best Job Opportunities for an American Moving to Hong Kong?

Considering HK is a known hub for industry, business, and commerce, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a job. That being said, talented individuals are coming here from all over the world, meaning the competition for almost every position is going to be fierce. This is precisely why most people prefer to land a job before moving internationally.

Although you can find all sorts of work here, banking, finances, advertising, IT, and HR are the most prominent professions. The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme also provides American expats with a ton of opportunities to teach professionally. While you might be dissuaded by the status of teachers in the US, know that teachers are held in very high regard in HK, just as they are in the rest of China.

What Is Considered a Good Salary in HK?

Unless you’re a newbie without any experience under the belt, you should be able to earn some good money here, even as an expat. Although the city’s minimum wage is significantly lower than the US, the average salary is much higher, with men and women making about $2,500 and $1,900, respectively. People in higher management positions and those working in finances have the highest wages, earning about $64,000 per year. Software engineers are also paid very well, comparable to what they make in other global cities like New York and London.

What Are Taxes Like?

Another great reason to move to HK is its affordable personal tax system. Depending on your income, either a standard rate of 15% or a progressive rate of 2% to 17% will be applied, whichever is the lower option. However, while the tax can usually be paid in two installments, one every January and April, first-year expats will be required to pay a provisional tax for the following year. Considering this could significantly burden your budget, opting for regular Electronic Tax Reserve Certificates (TRCs) will make saving funds for your next payment a lot easier.

How Important Is Knowing the Local Language for an American Living in Hong Kong?

If you’re hesitant about relocating to HK because you’re not familiar with the language, we have some great news. Although Cantonese is the de facto language most residents speak, English is officially the city’s second language. More importantly, most international companies use it as their primary way of communicating during work, allowing you to quickly find a job without spending months learning a new language.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should just give up on Cantonese in general. While English is widely spoken, you’ll still need to know the primary language to talk to people outside your work environment. Breaking the language barrier will also give you a much better chance at landing a highly contested position and open up many other career paths that would otherwise be out of your reach.

Is Commuting and Transportation in HK Better Than in the US?

While many Americans have to deal with traffic jams on a daily basis, you’ll be glad to hear that won’t be the case in HK. Unless there’s a storm brewing, you’ll be able to get almost anywhere you want within a reasonable time frame. This is also helped by the city’s excellent public transportation system, which is almost never late or delayed.

It’s incredibly cheap for what it offers, with local taxis also being relatively inexpensive by Western standards. Considering how popular driving is in America, many expats still prefer to move their car over from the States. If that’s the case for you, don’t forget to hire a company that provides overseas vehicle shipping.

What Is There to Do and See in HK?

Those who want to know more about the city’s amenities will be glad to hear that there are a million things to do and see here. Considering this is one of the top places to be in this part of the world, the wide array of activities and attractions is bound to fit just about anyone. While we can’t possibly list everything you need to explore, the following list should give you a sense of what you can expect after relocating here:

• Ride the world’s longest escalator – Besides connecting the city’s Central and Mid-Level districts, the 2,600 ft long outdoor escalator is lined up with shops, bars, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for tourists and residents alike.
• Explore the local shops and stores – Fans of shopping will have tons of fun in HK, as there’s a mixed-use store at almost every corner. Some of the most popular shopping locations include the Temple Street Night Market, the Kowloon Shopping Street, the Ladies Market, and the IFC Mall.
• Go partying in Lan Kwai Fong – Unless you’re relocating to another country for love, you’ll definitely love the entertainment this community has to offer. It’s known as the city’s party central, housing over 100 bars, so you’re bound to find a venue that suits your interests.
• Try some traditional dishes – While some Americans might experience culture shock when they first see some of the things locals like to eat, fans of Asian food will have a ton of opportunities to taste some of the region’s unique recipes. For example, try eating dessert with fish. If you’re more interested in traditional cooking, feel free to visit Tim Ho Wan, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Stop by the local Disneyland resort – Living in another country alone can make anyone feel homesick, but know that you’ll still have access to one of the bastions of American culture. Although the local theme park is not the biggest resort out there, visiting it might help you adjust to your new home much more quickly.

Considering we barely scratched the surface on what HK has to offer, the video below will show you many new and exciting things you can do and see in the region.

Is It Difficult to Move to Hong Kong?

Now that you know all the most essential things about HK, you’re finally ready to start planning the relocation. However, learning how to move to Hong Kong on your own is not as simple as relocating to Connecticut or any other place on US soil. Figuring out what to pack when relocating abroad and what to put into a storage facility is only one of the many steps you’ll have to take, and that’s just the beginning.

Considering how long the preparations can take, it’s often better to find a good overseas moving company and get a professional packing service than deal with it yourself. This will also allow you to move as soon as you find a good job offer that will enable you to lead a comfortable life in your new home.