All about the working holiday in Hong Kong!

As mentioned above, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation, repatriation, and liability.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

Exception: the insurance requirement is not explicitly mentioned for Australians. However, we still strongly recommend it. Without insurance, out of pocket costs for healthcare can be very high.

Hong Kong’s currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD, HK$). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.

If you want to have a HKD debit card in hand before even arriving in Hong Kong, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your HKD account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Hong Kong. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Hong Kong. Learn more about Wise.

There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Hong Kong.

Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Hong Kong before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person. Popular housing websites that you can use include squarefoot (most referenced), 28Hse (can filter for short term), and Roomgo (for co-living with roommates). Also read up on tenant rights and responsibilities on this official website by the government.

For your first couple of weeks upon arrival, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

Once your application is approved, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!

As you prepare for your working holiday in Hong Kong, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on English. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.