Hong Kong Visas & Permits.

It’s notoriously difficult for companies to obtain work visas in Hong Kong, as the country typically fills vacancies with local professionals. However, knowing the right qualifications and doing the proper research will help you demonstrate that your team members are well-qualified for the job.

Types of work visas in Hong Kong

Most people moving to Hong Kong for a job apply for a work visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP). These types of visas are usually issued only for a specific period. To be eligible, candidates must have a confirmed job offer with an employer who is sponsoring them.

Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is available to nationals from all countries except Afghanistan, Cuba, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Applicants aren't required to have a job offer or business plan and may apply under one of the following categories:

• Their taxable employment or business income was HKD 2.5M or more in the 12 months before applying.
• They hold a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university and have at least three years of work experience over the five years before applying.
• They hold a degree from one of the top 100 universities in the world and do not have 3 years of work experience. TTPS Category C has an annual quota of 10,000 applications, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. It covers recent graduates of eligible top universities with less than three years of work experience.

Applicants may submit dependent visas for eligible family members.

Some other common Hong Kong work permits include the following:

• General Employment Policy (GEP): This is the most common work visa. It is for professionals who possess special skills, knowledge, or experience of value that is not readily available in Hong Kong. This visa is quota-free and does not apply to Chinese residents of the Mainland and nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
• Admission scheme for mainland talents and professionals: This work visa is for Chinese residents of the Mainland China who possess special skills, knowledge, or experience of value that is not readily available in Hong Kong.
• Technology talent admission scheme: This work visa is for professionals who specialize in certain technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and financial technologies. Eligible companies will first need to apply for a quota.
• Training: The Training Visa allows structured, job-related training for up to 12 months. It doesn't cover regular employment.
• Quality migrant admission scheme: Expats from certain professions can relocate to Hong Kong using this visa. The program has slots for IT, financial, legal, and creative individuals who do not have an existing job offer. This scheme is also based on the General Points Test (GPT) for highly skilled or talented persons. Assessment factors include age, academic/professional qualifications, work experience, talent list, language proficiency, family background – not just a profession.
• Immigration arrangements for non-local graduates: Non-local graduates with a degree from Hong Kong can apply within six months of graduation to stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without a job offer.

Requirements to obtain Hong Kong work visas

If your team members are applying for a Hong Kong work permit under the GEP, they need to include a statement from you describing the position. The Immigration Department will assess the application for:

• A graduate degree
• Necessary professional experience
• Salary and working conditions comparable to local standards
• Contribution to the local economy
• Lack of a local to fill the particular position

Sometimes it’s difficult for companies to prove that they couldn’t find a local to fill a position, especially if they’re recruiting individuals from around the world. That said, the immigration authorities typically accept the proof they receive.

If your team members have family they would like to bring to Hong Kong, they’ll need to meet additional requirements. For example, there must be reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependent and sponsor. Dependent children must be unmarried and under 18. They need to show that they can financially support a family and provide the right accommodations. If a spouse wants to work in Hong Kong as well, they can do so through an extra work permit.

Application process

First, individuals need to fill out the right application form for their requested visa and attach all the required documents. If the documents are in any other language besides English or Chinese, the professionals must provide a translation. They will also need a valid travel document from their home country.

Applications can be mailed or handed in personally. They can go either directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department or the nearest Chinese mission. If your international team member lives in Mainland China, they can submit their visa application in Beijing at the Hong Kong government’s office. Another option is to file the application through a local sponsor, such as a prospective employer.

As of December 2022, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department expanded its online application filing option to all visa types. Applications can still be mailed in or delivered in person if preferred.

Other important considerations

While the typical employment visa is valid only in the short term, individuals can apply for an extension of stay within the four weeks before their stay expires. General Employment Policy employment visas follow a three-year plus three-year extension pattern, subject to the remaining employment contract term. The only exception is a fixed employment contract that runs out before the visa expires, in which the extension will be shortened accordingly.

It’s also important to note that the technology talent admission scheme visa is not applicable for nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

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For this particular location, G-P may offer support processing certain work visas and permits.