Residents » Overview » When You Arrive

Setting up home, finding your way around and meeting people in Hong Kong is not that big of a challenge. This is a foreigner-friendly place where foreigners themselves have set up services and businesses designed to assist in every step of your new life, so you can go the easy route or turn this into a real adventure.

Here's some of the key issues you should be covering:

Residency/visas – if you are coming to Hong Kong to start a new job then your employer should arrange your visa . Once that is sorted you can then sponsor your dependents . Residents must then apply for a Hong Kong ID card .

Furnish your new home and get connected – for advice on furnishing your new place and getting the electric, gas, water, phone and TV connected, turn to the Setting Up Home section starting on .

Motoring – if you plan to drive in Hong Kong then you’ll need the correct licence , and you’ll either be hiring or buying a car.

Register with your consulate – this is necessary for tax exemptions (if you qualify) and for any just-in-case safety scenarios. See for contact details.

Make friends – to help you settle into your new life, there are plenty of social groups and associations that you can join. See for details.