Settling in Hong Kong

Main Content

Settling in a new city is often a challenge. This article gives you an overview of the different aspects of living in Hong Kong and tips for settling in. You can also find the information and support services to help you integrate into the local community.

General Information for New Arrivals

There is a wealth of services specially catered for new arrivals in Hong Kong. The Government regularly publishes guides and handbooks to facilitate the early integration of the new arrivals into the local community. For example, Your Guide to Services in Hong Kong, published by the Home Affairs Department and currently available in seven languages, provides comprehensive information on Government and non-governmental organisation services for new arrivals. Some of them are available online, or can be obtained from the Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres in 18 Districts, Labour Department, the airport, relevant consulates and community organisations.

Guide to Living in Hong Konghttp://www.had.gov.hk/rru/english/info/info_pub_ins.html#4
Your Guide to Services in Hong Konghttp://www.had.gov.hk/rru/english/annex/annex_english_guide.html
Service handbook for new arrivals from the Mainland (available in Chinese only)http://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/handbook.htm

Registering for the Hong Kong Identity Card

One of the very crucial things you need to do once you arrive in Hong Kong is to register with the Immigration Department for a Hong Kong identity card. Hong Kong identity cards are required on many occasions to identify yourself as a Hong Kong resident. You should keep the card in good condition and carry it with you at all times, which is a statutory requirement for person aged 15 or over.

Hong Kong identity cards and right of abodehttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/
Appointment booking for registration of Hong Kong identity cardhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/bookregidcard.htm
Hong Kong identity card application formhttp://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/public_3.htm

Housing

You can choose to own an apartment or rent a flat when you first settle in Hong Kong. Here is some useful information for those who plan to live in a private property.

Renting a domestic propertyhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/housing/private/buying/rentingDomesticProperty.htm
Information on private property & building management in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/housing/private/

Transport

Hong Kong has a comprehensive and sophisticated transport system comprising a wide range of public transport modes.

Overview of public transport in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/publictransport/

Employment

The Labour Department provides free employment services for job seekers who are lawfully employable in Hong Kong. You can also refer to the code of practice against discrimination in the workplace issued by the Home Affairs Bureau for your rights in employment.

Information on job searchinghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/employment/jobsearch/
Code of practice against discrimination in employmenthttp://www.eoc.org.hk/eoc/graphicsfolder/showcontent.aspx?content=cops

If you own a non-local qualification, it may need to be assessed when you are looking for a job. You may consider further your study in Hong Kong. There are also many opportunities for vocational training and continuing education.

Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualificationshttp://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/main.asp
Information on continuing education and vocational traininghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/education/continuinged/

Taxation

Hong Kong is renowned for its simple tax structure with low tax rates. Once you are employed, you will be chargeable to salaries tax on your income arising in or derived from Hong Kong from an office, employment or any pension. If you commence to carry on a trade, business or profession in Hong Kong, you have to apply for a business registration and you will be chargeable to profits tax on all profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong from such trade, business or profession. Find out more about the tax system in Hong Kong.

Information on taxes in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/taxes/

Health Services

There are various public health services, ranging from general outpatient services, health clinics to specialist hospital care in Hong Kong. They are all easy to access and are usually free or offered at low cost to the general public.

Information on hospitals and clinicshttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/hosp/

Social Services

There is a wide range of services and activities for new arrivals, such as familiarisation courses, employment seminars, language classes, experience sharing and visits. The list of the latest services and activities in different districts is available on the link below. The link contains a list of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which provide services for new arrivals. You may approach individual NGOs for further information.

Services & activities for new arrivals from the Mainland on district levelhttp://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/activity.htm
List of NGOs offering services and activities for new arrivals from the Mainlandhttp://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/role.htm

Education for Children

Education and support services are provided for newly arrived children to assist them to integrate into the education system and community in Hong Kong. Details of these services can be found on the following links.

Education and support services for newly arrived childrenhttp://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=236&langno=1
Education services for non-Chinese speaking studentshttp://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=4211&langno=1
General information about education in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/education/

Emergencies

Once you have settled in your new home, you should learn how to seek assistance in case of emergency. For emergency assistance, you can dial 999 or report to the Hong Kong Police at the nearest police station.

Contact details of police stationshttp://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/contact_us.html

The Fire Services Department provides emergency services including fire-fighting and rescue on land and at sea. It also provides an emergency ambulance service for the sick and the injured, and gives fire protection advice to the public. You can dial 999 to make fire or ambulance calls, or the Department’s 24-hour hotlines at 2723 8787 or 2723 2233 for enquiry regarding these services or complaint about fire hazards.

Information on fire services and rescuehttp://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/home/eng/fire_rescue.html

Exploring Hong Kong

You can look for ideas to start exploring the fun of living in Hong Kong with various cultural, leisure and sports activities provided by the Government.