yes you do get a local licence
But it is actually issued based on your overseas licence.
When issued a full GCAA licence is not tied to your base licence.
The medical is a full GCAA initial medical, slightly more difficult, (in my opinion) than the JAA recurrent and FAA recurrnet. Which might cause problems for the oldies.
Thereis a very good local medical centre: GMC with Dr AKEL, they do GCAA JAA FAA and I think HK.
windy