- Download our Moving to Hong Kong Guide (PDF)
Expats working in Hong Kong have long found themselves in one of the more attractive destinations for moving abroad, at least regarding employment. The city is packed with multinational companies, and ambitious foreign nationals can still find opportunities in its low-tax, free-market economy.
Competition is stiff, though. Employers hire selectively and watch their costs, so anyone who wants to work in the Fragrant Harbour is up against both locals and fellow expats.
Those who land a job in Hong Kong are usually highly skilled workers in banking and finance. There are also some opportunities for teaching English and volunteering. Local employers still rate degrees from American and British universities, and a stint working in Hong Kong looks good on a CV.
The paperwork is another matter, and it can be fairly tedious. For the standard employment visa, you need an employer to sponsor you, so you’ll want a solid job offer lined up first. The Immigration Department also wants proof that you bring skills the local workforce can’t readily supply. Hong Kong’s talent schemes are the exception; high earners and graduates of top-ranked universities can qualify without a job offer in hand.
Expats accepting a job in Hong Kong should research the market before negotiating a contract, and ensure they secure a salary high enough to support themselves and their families.
Job market in Hong Kong
Most expats in Hong Kong’s job market still work in financial services, but a growing number have moved into fields like management and technology. There’s demand for people with experience in areas such as digital advertising, HR, law, and compliance, and investment banks in particular continue to draw many professionals to the city. Lucrative expat packages, though, are getting rarer outside senior roles.
Employers tend to look more favourably on applicants who have some Cantonese or Mandarin, and Mandarin in particular is worth having as more companies do business with mainland China. English is still the main language of business, so international firms often hire without requiring any Chinese.
Finding a job in Hong Kong
Many expats arrive with a contract already signed, so the hardest part of finding a job in Hong Kong is behind them before they land. The largest and most reputable firms often headhunt overseas and offer strong salary packages to attract the best talent.
Even if you aren’t headhunted, you still have plenty of ways to land a good job. It’s easy enough to find recruitment agencies, and there are plenty of online job boards too. Many firms also post vacancies straight onto their own websites, and a fair few roles are never advertised at all. In Hong Kong, it helps a great deal to know the right people, so plenty of jobs are filled through personal contacts and referrals. Professionals here also use LinkedIn heavily.
Work Permits for Hong Kong
Visas for Hong Kong
Useful links
Work culture in Hong Kong
Westerners tend to find the work culture in Hong Kong a shock at first. For starters, the working week is far longer than many are used to, and it’s common to clock 50 hours or more. Hong Kong is known for its ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos.
Professionalism is taken seriously in Hong Kong. Many local companies have hierarchical structures, which can take some getting used to for expats from flatter, more egalitarian workplaces. Work here is geared towards results, so expats often find themselves under real pressure. Locals also tend to avoid open confrontation to save face, so they rarely give a flat ‘no’ and will hedge politely instead.
You’ll also want to pick up the finer points of doing business in Hong Kong. Business cards, for example, should be given and received with both hands, and the most senior person usually settles the bill at a work meal.