Settling in Hong Kong
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.
General Information for New Arrivals
To facilitate the early integration of new arrivals into the local community, the Government publishes the following guide and handbook.
Your Guide to Services in Hong Konghttps://www.had.gov.hk/rru/english/info/publications.htmService handbook for new arrivals from the Mainland (available in Chinese only)https://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/handbook.htmRegistering for the Hong Kong Identity Card
If you are a new arrival aged 11 or over and have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days, you must register for an identity card within 30 days of arrival. 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 persons aged 15 or over.
Hong Kong identity cardshttps://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/hkid.htmlOnline appointment booking for Hong Kong identity card application and form pre-fillinghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/idcard/hkic/bookregidcard.htmForms related to Hong Kong identity cardshttps://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/hkid.htmlHousing
You can choose to own an apartment or rent a flat when you first settle in Hong Kong.
Renting a domestic propertyhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/housing/private/buying/rentingDomesticProperty.htmBuying a dometsic propertyhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/housing/private/buying/buyingDomesticProperty.htmInformation on private property & building management in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/housing/private/index.htmTransport
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/index.htmSearch for public transport routeshttps://www.hkemobility.gov.hk/enEmployment
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 and Youth Affairs Bureau for your rights in employment.
Information on job searchhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/employment/jobsearch/index.htmCode of practice against discrimination in employmenthttps://www.eoc.org.hk/en/training-and-education/eo-club/code-practice-on-employmentIf you own a non-local qualification, it may need to be assessed when you are looking for a job. There are also many opportunities for vocational training and continuing education.
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualificationshttps://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/Information on continuing education & vocational traininghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/education/continuinged/index.htmTaxation
Once you are employed or hold an office, you will be chargeable to salaries tax on your income arising in or derived from Hong Kong. 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.
Information on taxes in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/taxes/index.htmHealth Services
Public health services are all easy to access and are usually free or offered at low cost to the general public.
Information on hospitals & clinicshttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/hosp/index.htmSocial 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, offered by the government and non-governmental organisations.
Services & activities for new arrivals from the Mainland on district levelhttps://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/activity.htmList of NGOs offering services & activities for new arrivals from the Mainlandhttps://www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/services_for_new_arrivals_from_the_mainland/role.htmEducation 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.
Education & support services for newly arrived childrenhttps://www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/newly-arrived-children/about-newly-arrived-children/index.htmlEducation services for non-Chinese speaking studentshttps://www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/ncs-students/about-ncs-students/index.htmlGeneral information about education in Hong Konghttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/education/index.htmEmergencies
For emergency assistance, including making fire or ambulance calls, you can dial 999. In cases of crime, you can also report to the Hong Kong Police at the nearest police station.
Contact details of police stationshttps://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/contact_us.htmlFire and Ambulance Serviceshttps://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/fire_ambulance_services/