Under the current policy, an unlimited number of Work Visa / Work Permit in Hong Kong are issued to foreign professionals by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) each year.
Working Visa Requirements
Short-term visitors can make the most of Hong Kong’s light-touch visa policies and are permitted to conduct business negotiations and sign contracts while on a visitor’s visa or entry permit. Foreign nationals working in Hong Kong for longer periods require a relevant visa before they can live or work in Hong Kong.
Foreigners who are currently working and living in Hong Kong are going to change to a new employer, and a new working visa due to a “change of sponsor” is required.
Hong Kong Visa Types
Employment Visa
To employ overseas staff, you must demonstrate that a prospective employee has special skills, knowledge, or experience not readily available in Hong Kong. The proposed employee must be sponsored by an employer in Hong Kong.
Entrepreneur Visa
The applicant should be in a position to make a substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR, with consideration factors or startup businesses. Their startup business may be considered favorably if it is supported by a government-backed program with a rigorous vetting and selection process.
Examples of government-backed programmes include:
- Startmeup HK Venture Programme administered by InvestHK;
- Incu-App, Incu-Bio and Incu-Tech programmes administered by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation;
- Cyberport Incubation Programme;
- Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme and Enterprise Support Scheme administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission; and
- Design Incubation Programme administered by the Hong Kong Design Centre.
People who successfully apply for a visa can bring their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18, provided that they have sufficient funds and suitable accommodation. The limit on their stay is the same as the visa holder – who is officially the ‘sponsor’. These dependants are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in the HKSAR under the existing policy.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit overseas and Mainland technology talent to undertake research and development (“R&D”) work for them. Companies that are engaged in R&D in the areas of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial technologies, material science, robotics, 5G communications, digital entertainment, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things, or microelectronics are eligible to make applications.
The Immigration Department has also introduced an admission scheme for the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated overseas and may apply to return to work in Hong Kong.
Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
The Immigration Department has also introduced an admission scheme for the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated overseas and may apply to return to work in Hong Kong.