Have you ever been to Hong Kong? Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It used to be a British colony, before becoming part of China again in 1997. Nevertheless, Hong Kong has retained much of its autonomy, having its own legal and economic systems. It is also home to millions of foreign workers, including Filipinos!
Indeed, Hong Kong is known for its modern architecture, dynamic business scene, shopping destinations, cultural diversity, and much, much more. In this article, we will discuss how you can become an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in this vibrant city and region!
Qualifications
To be able to work in Hong Kong, a foreign national should have a valid work visa. There are two main types of work visas: a short-term visa and a long-term one.
A. Short-Term Visa
When would you need a short-term visa? This type of visa can be issued if you are:
- Attending a short-term seminar or meeting;
- Participating in a fair or exhibit;
- Participating in targeting a particular product range;
- Inspecting or supervising the installation of goods; or
- Joining other similar work-related activities.
Please note that the short-term visa comes with several conditions, as follows:
- The visa holder should not be hired for any job;
- He/She should not create or participate in any business; and
- He/She should not become a student of a school, university, or other educational institutions.
B. Long-Term Visa
To qualify for a long-term visa in Hong Kong, an applicant must: (a) receive a job offer before applying for a visa; and (b) have the necessary qualifications and work experience for the job.
For their part, the sponsoring company must: (a) be financially stable and healthy; and (b) have local employees, and an office space that is already equipped.
Initially, your long-term visa will be valid for up to 24 months (or less). Once you obtain your visa, you can apply for a Hong Kong identity card. If you continue to work for the same employer, you can apply for a work visa extension when your current one expires. However, if you decide to find a new job, you must apply for a change of sponsor, even if your visa has not yet expired.
Requirements
When applying for a Hong Kong work visa, the documents that you’ll need to prepare include:
- Valid passport;
- Passport-sized photo;
- Filled-up visa application forms;
- Copy of employment contract;
- Copy of constituent documents from the employer company; and
- Copy of financial documents from the employer company.
NOTE: The visa application forms should include Form ID 990A (to be filled up by the applicant), and Form ID 990B (to be filled up by the employer company).
Most Popular Jobs in Hong Kong for Overseas Filipino Workers
At present, most OFWs in Hong Kong are employed for domestic jobs. Nevertheless, Filipino workers are also hired in other industries. Let’s take a look at the most popular jobs!
A. Domestic Work
Here is a list of domestic jobs that many OFWs apply for in Hong Kong:
- Domestic Helpers. Their responsibilities include cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, and other household chores.
- Nannies. They are tasked with taking care of their employer’s children, such as getting them ready for school and watching over them, both at home and when going out.
- Caregivers. They are responsible for providing assistance, care, and companionship to elderly family members.
- Cooks. Their responsibilities include preparing meals for their employers. Notably, they get to introduce Filipino cuisine to Hong Kong families!
- Multilingual Assistants. Interestingly, there are some households where multiple languages are spoken (i.e. among employers and workers of different nationalities). In this case, multilingual assistants can serve as interpreters, helping to make communication run smoothly.
B. Other Industries
Aside from domestic work, other jobs that are also in-demand in Hong Kong are the following:
- Retail and Sales – store managers, sales assistants, marketing assistants, etc.
- Hospitality and Tourism – hotel managers, receptionists, bellhops, restaurant managers, waiters, etc.
- Call Center Industry – customer service representatives, sales agents, call center agents, etc.
- Delivery and Transportation – taxi drivers, delivery drivers, bus drivers, etc.
- Construction – architects, engineers, electricians, construction workers, etc.
- Finance and Accounting – financial managers, accounting assistants, bookkeepers, etc.
- Information Technology (IT) – cybersecurity specialists, computer programmers, software developers, etc.
How to Become an OFW in Hong Kong
Now that you know more about the different types of jobs available to OFWs in Hong Kong, what’s the next step? At this point, here is a general guide on what you’ll be doing along the way:
1. Look for a job in Hong Kong.
Head to the official website of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and look for the “approved job orders” section. Type “Hong Kong” on the search box, and the screen will display the available job orders for that location.
2. Choose a licensed recruitment agency.
Not all people who are claiming to be overseas job recruiters are legit! Some are scammers who are just out to get your money. To be on the safe side, look for a job through the DMW website, since it only posts job orders from licensed or accredited agencies.
3. Prepare all the requirements.
Prepare your passport, birth certificate, school transcript, employment certificate, NBI clearance, and other papers. For their part, the employer also needs to prepare necessary documents.
4. Attend scheduled interviews.
As part of the screening process, interviews are done to make sure that you are fit for the job. In some cases, you may also need to undergo a visa application interview.
5. Sign the employment contract.
To make your employment official, you’ll need to sign an employment contract. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions involved, and do not hesitate to ask questions for clarification.
6. Attend the PDOS.
The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is mandatory for all OFWs. During this seminar, you’ll learn all about the customs, laws, traditions, and other important information about the country where you’ll be working in.
7. Finalize all the requirements.
This includes submitting all the requirements to your agency, making sure that everything has been checked and verified. You will eventually be issued a flight ticket, and you can start preparing for your departure. Good luck!
Licensed Recruitment Agencies to Hong Kong
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to deal only with recruitment agencies that are licensed by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Here is a list of manpower agencies that are accredited by the DMW to deploy OFWs to Hong Kong:
- 1010 Ephesians Human Resources Inc.;
- 10th Story Placement Agency Inc.;
- 2000 Miles Placement Agency Inc.;
- 21st Century Manpower Resources Inc.;
- 7107 Islands Placement and Promotions Inc.;
- Adel International Manpower Services;
- Alcare Manpower Services Corporation;
- Alpha Tomo (P) International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Altima Manpower Agency Inc.;
- AMCAAJ International Recruitment Agency Inc.;
- Androme Recruitment and Management Services Inc.;
- Angelex Allied Agency;
- Anifel Management and General Services Corporation;
- Ankor Management Services and Consultants Inc.;
- Archangel Global Solutions Incorporated;
- Ascend International Services Inc.;
- Asia World Recruitment Inc.;
- ATC Human Resources Inc.;
- Baguio Benguet International Recruitment Agency Inc.;
- Bison Management Corporation;
- BM Skyway General Services and Trading;
- Bright International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Bright Star Placement Corp.;
- Concorde International Human Resource Corporation;
- DCH International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Deltavir Overseas Job Placement and General Services Inc.;
- Desertwealth International Services Corp.; and
- Destiny Twin Dragon Workforce Co. Ltd.
NOTE: Please go to the DMW official website to see the complete list of all manpower agencies that are accredited to recruit land-based and sea-based OFWs around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions about how Pinoys can become OFWs in Hong Kong:
1. Who are qualified to work in Hong Kong?
The answer to this question depends on the type of job and visa you’re applying for. There are two types of visas: a short-term visa, and a long-term visa. The short-term visa is issued to those who are attending seminars, participating in exhibits, or joining other work-related events. The long-term visa, on the other hand, requires a job offer from a Hong Kong employer. Valid for up to 24 months, it may be extended, depending on the case.
2. What are the requirements?
Generally, the required documents to get a Hong Kong work visa include: a valid passport, passport-sized photo, filled-up application forms, employment contract, and the employer company’s financial documents, among other requirements.
3. What are the most in-demand jobs for OFWs?
Currently, the most popular industries in Hong Kong are: domestic work, retail and sales, hospitality and tourism, call center industry, delivery and transportation, construction, and information technology. Hence, the most in-demand jobs include: domestic helpers, nannies, store manages, sales assistants, hotel managers, receptionists, customer service representatives, call center agents, taxi drivers, delivery drivers, engineers, construction workers, financial managers, accounting assistants, computer programmers, and software developers.
4. How can I become an OFW in Hong Kong?
The process of becoming an OFW in Hong Kong includes the following steps: (a) looking for a job; (b) choosing a licensed recruitment agency; (c) preparing all the requirements; (d) attending scheduled interviews; (e) signing the employment contract; (f) attending the pre-departure orientation seminar; and (g) finalizing all the requirements.
5. How can I learn more about working in Hong Kong?
If you want to learn more about working in Hong Kong, you can check out the official website of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. Its contact details are also provided below.
Contact Information: Chinese Embassy in the Philippines
You can get in touch with the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines through the following contact details. Its office is located in Makati City, Metro Manila:
Address: The World Center, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8848 2395
Website: http://ph.china-embassy.org/
Google Map:
Video: Requirements for Applying as a Domestic Worker in Hong Kong
For those who are planning to apply as a domestic worker, check out the following video. It is featured by “Dalia at Your Service” YouTube channel, which is managed by an OFW who is currently based in Hong Kong:
Additional Reminders
Before you go abroad, you must be totally prepared. Here are some important things that you should know about living in Hong Kong:
Climate and Weather. Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, which means that it has distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring season starts from March to May, while summer takes place from June to August. Summers are typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 31 degrees Celsius.
Autumn — with its pleasant breezes — begins in September, ending in November. Winter takes place from December to February. Winter season in Hong Kong is usually cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 12 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Transportation. Hong Kong has a highly developed public transport system, with most people using the Hong Kong MTR (train). It can take you everywhere; in fact, the MTR has 150 stations!
Wet Markets. Just like in the Philippines, there are numerous markets around Hong Kong, selling fresh produce, meat, and grocery items. You can easily buy food… anytime, anywhere!
Religion. There is religious freedom in Hong Kong; the people are free to practice their faiths and beliefs. Here, you will find Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Taoists, and more.
Outdoor Activities. Did you know that majority of Hong Kong’s land area is “green”? If you like to go biking, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, then you’d be happy to know that there are many places to explore in Hong Kong!
Filipino Connection. There are many Filipinos in Hong Kong, there’s no doubt about that! There are even places where most Pinoy workers gather during their days off. You don’t have to look far for a Filipino friend, neighbor, or co-worker! Go ahead and reach out to them, so you can have a “support system” even while abroad.
Summary
Indeed, Hong Kong is one of the world’s top destinations for OFWs. It offers plenty of job opportunities, for domestic workers, skilled workers, and professionals, too. The fact that there are many Filipinos in Hong also makes it a popular choice among jobseekers!
Meanwhile, if you are planning to work — and eventually settle — abroad, consider going south… to New Zealand. Check out this article, to learn more about the work, study, and residence options in this beautiful country!