Immigration In The Worlds Freest Economy

[CRUNCHER]

Hong Kong ranked as the world's freest economy

Hong Kong - Hong Kong has been ranked as the world's freest economy followed by rival Singapore in a report released on Tuesday by a right-wing American think-tank, The Heritage Foundation.

Hong Kong's ranking comes despite criticism that its economy is dominated by a handful of powerful family-controlled monopolies and cartels, which not only control prices of particular goods but also block market access by competitors.

The ranking by the Washington-based organisation puts the former British colony at the top of its Index of Economic Freedom, for a 13th successive year, as it scores top marks in six of the index 10 factors.

Saying Hong Kong is "clearly blazing a trial for others to follow" the foundation and co-sponsors, the Wall Street Journal Asia, awarded the city's economy a score of 89.3, 1.6 points lower than last year.

"The way that Hong Kong (became) prosperous was simply through its free and fair playing field," said Mary Kissel editorial page editor for the Journal.

The above is part of a recent article in The Nation.

Many complain about Thai Immigration Laws and how they affect the economy here. Perhaps they should think how things work in the “world’s freest economy”.

You cannot stay in Hong Kong for years (or any time for that matter) doing “visa runs” every 30 days.

You cannot stay for best part of a year with a tourist visa.

You cannot live there simply because you have married a Hong Kong lady or you are over 50; no matter how much money you have or how big your income.

You cannot work without a work permit. Hong Kong Government policy is they will not give a work permit if a local person can and is available to do the job.

In connection with this last point this restricts people who can work to a small number of English teachers, professionals (bankers, lawyers, businessmen employed by banks, multi-national etc.) and “domestic helpers” (servants).

This latter group by far are the biggest group of foreign workers in Hong Kong typically they come from Philippines Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. By law they cannot vote. More importantly they cannot use the time spent working there towards qualifying for permanent residence. They cannot come to Hong Kong until the work permits are issued and have to return to their home country and get new permits if they change jobs. This takes up to two months.

You cannot stay in Hong Kong indefinitely by saying I can support myself working on the internet. You would need a work permit (which you would not get) and would be liable to pay tax.

If you stay in Hong Kong more than 30 days you must get a Hong Kong ID card and carry it with you at all times.

Thailand is not quite as bad as some make out.

Edited January 30, 2007 by CRUNCHER

[TheWalkingMan]

Sounds interesting and in Hong Kong's defense I can say that the rules are laid out for everyone to follow and with Thailand it seems more like a wink, nod and backhandlers are needed to get things done. Don't get me wrong, as I am sure that there is a level of corruption there. However with Thailand it seems like the levels of corruption run from top to bottom which, IMHO, has done a lot of harm to the country.

Copied from our friends at Wiki...

According to the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Article 177 of the Hong Kong Law, all people of age 11 or above who stay in Hong Kong for longer than 180 days must, within 30 days of either reaching the age of 11 or arriving in Hong Kong, register for a HKID.

Permanent Residency

...person not of Chinese nationality who has entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and has taken Hong Kong as his place of permanent residence...

How long does Permanent Residency take in Thailand? Or is the life of a Permanent Visa Runner the best way to go?

Last comment to all... when posting something you feel as fact, please spend a few minutes on Google to double check the info. The crack about needing an ID card after 30 days was easily verifiable and should have been posted correctly.

Have a nice day!

TheWalkingMan

[astral]

Yes that may be true, but you fail to mention that many nationals

will receive a 90 or even 180 day stamp on arrival.

No prior application needed, no extension stamps needed ..............

[CRUNCHER]

Sounds interesting and in Hong Kong's defense I can say that the rules are laid out for everyone to follow and with Thailand it seems more like a wink, nod and backhandlers are needed to get things done. Don't get me wrong, as I am sure that there is a level of corruption there. However with Thailand it seems like the levels of corruption run from top to bottom which, IMHO, has done a lot of harm to the country.

Copied from our friends at Wiki...

According to the Registration of Persons Ordinance, Article 177 of the Hong Kong Law, all people of age 11 or above who stay in Hong Kong for longer than 180 days must, within 30 days of either reaching the age of 11 or arriving in Hong Kong, register for a HKID.

Permanent Residency

...person not of Chinese nationality who has entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and has taken Hong Kong as his place of permanent residence...

How long does Permanent Residency take in Thailand? Or is the life of a Permanent Visa Runner the best way to go?

Last comment to all... when posting something you feel as fact, please spend a few minutes on Google to double check the info. The crack about needing an ID card after 30 days was easily verifiable and should have been posted correctly.

Have a nice day!

TheWalkingMan

Point about about the ID card taken. I stuck that in as an after thought. It is a bit early in the morning for me. Can't see what your point is about the Permant residency is. Domestic helpers are specifically exempted from this (racist?). They cannot get permanent residency. Any google search that says they can is wrong. It is difficult to reside in Hong Kong for seven years without working there. Some can do it, but not many.

Yes Thailand could make thing easier. Short term stays, up to 6 months, are easier in Hong Kong than Thailand, but those who complain about long term stays and work permits in Thailand need to put things into perspective.

[Martin]

Thailand could only sensibly be compared to Hong Kong, for this, if entrants to Thailand were confined to the Greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area.

(But, then, there are those who seem to think they are!)

[johnnyk]

Corruption in Hong Kong!!!???

Shurely not!

[lesdunbar]

G,day,

CRUNCHER ........you stated the following.....

You cannot live there simply because you have married a Hong Kong lady or you are over 50; no matter how much money you have or how big your income.

Totally disagree mate.

In my experiance. I married a HK lady. applied for an ID card and settlement visa. Was granted a 1 x year then 3 x year and now on my 3rd 3 x year visa

After a total time of 7 years i will (or could) have gained a permanent residency..

I have moved on in my life just recently divorced my HK wife and now settled in Bangkok (New Thai wife)

But my ID card and HK visa is still active. I only need to enter HK once in the current 3 year period to able to gain the permenant residency.

cheers,

lesdunbar

[CRUNCHER]

G,day,

CRUNCHER ........you stated the following.....

You cannot live there simply because you have married a Hong Kong lady or you are over 50; no matter how much money you have or how big your income.

Totally disagree mate.

In my experiance. I married a HK lady. applied for an ID card and settlement visa. Was granted a 1 x year then 3 x year and now on my 3rd 3 x year visa

After a total time of 7 years i will (or could) have gained a permanent residency..

I have moved on in my life just recently divorced my HK wife and now settled in Bangkok (New Thai wife)

But my ID card and HK visa is still active. I only need to enter HK once in the current 3 year period to able to gain the permenant residency.

cheers,

lesdunbar

You are lucky. I know several who have been refused - unless you got in as a dependant perhaps. Perhaps things are different now. Problem is too many sham marriages caused problems. Mostly people from mainland, but also Philippines and Indian sub-cotinent. Trouble was HK Immigration was always being accused of being racist and so they tended to apply things accross the board.

Also, unless things have changed here as well you will be lucky to get "right of abode" If you visit just once in three years. You have to positively demonstrate that you regard Hong Kong as your home. Living in Thailand with a Thai wife and visiting once in three years this might be dificult. You also need to reside continuosly for 7 years. Where three years is relevant is that you you loose your right of abode if you do not visit every three years unless you have a good reason such as overseas education.

Edited January 30, 2007 by CRUNCHER