Limited Time Offer – Save HKD 2,000 on Company Formation Registration Fees in Hong Kong

Good News! Sleek will help jumpstart your new business by covering the new HK government Business Registration Fee. Terms & Conditions apply

Days

Hours

Mins

Secs

Resources

Guide to Employment Visa in Hong Kong

15 minute read


Hong Kong is a great region when it comes to doing business. The authorities have created a great work environment, the taxing system is among the best in the world, and the region is quite diverse, which is great for foreign companies.

All of these and many more beneficial factors just make the whole place even more attractive to businessmen from all around the globe.

If you have agreed on terms with your future Hong Kong

employer, you can rest assured that the trickiest part is behind you. But, there is one more thing to take care of. Your employment visa has to be sorted out.

Fortunately, this process is not difficult at all in Hong Kong. Keep reading to find out everything that is of importance to anyone looking to get an employment visa in Hong Kong.

Overview:

What is an employment visa?

The region of Hong Kong has a special work permit scheme in place when employers want to hire foreign talent to fill various positions. This scheme is called Employment for Professionals. Workers (visa applicants) need to possess decent educational qualifications, a specific set of skills, and knowledge or experience of value in Hong Kong to acquire this permit.

The best bit about this is that Hong Kong authorities did not issue a quota system. In other words, the number of employment visas in Hong Kong is not limited!

This kind of visa is issued for one year period. It is renewable following the end of the permit duration.

Do I need a visa to work in Hong Kong?

Considering that this question is one of the more common questions that foreigners have regarding life in Hong Kong, it is worth answering it once again.

Yes, as a foreigner, one must obtain a work permit (visa) to work legally in Hong Kong. This practice is no different from any other region in the world.

An individual arriving in Hong Kong needs to apply for a work visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP). Every country and every region governed by a legitimate authority has this kind of law. All foreign employees have to go through this process. The Immigration Department is the authority handling work permits in Hong Kong.

Requirements to apply

In order to successfully apply and acquire a Hong Kong work visa, bear in mind the following criteria:

  • The applicant should already have secured a job offer! This needs to happen before the visa application is submitted.
  • One should have valuable qualifications and relevant working experience in the field. The Department usually allows individuals with unique qualifications that are not readily available in Hong Kong easier access to the permit.
  • The applying individual should be placed in a management-level job position and the salary offered should be met with the market rate.
  • The employer (company) needs to be financially stable.
  • Also, the company should have local employees along with an office that has already been set up.

How do I get a work visa for Hong Kong?

In order to acquire a work visa for Hong Kong, applicants need to complete application form ID 990A.

The companies looking to hire the applicants also need to complete a form. The form in question is form ID 990B.

These application forms can be found at the following offices (free of charge):

  • Immigration Department Headquarters
  • Immigration Branch Offices
  • Overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions
  • HKSAR Government offices outside of Hong Kong

To download the forms from the Department’s official website, visit www.immd.gov.hk.

When it comes to the entire required documentation and supporting documentation, the applicant needs to submit:

  1. Application for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong (ID 990A).
  2. Photo.
  3. Photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document containing personal details (date of issue, date of expiry, etc.).
  4. Photocopy of the applicant’s HKID.
  5. A photocopy of the academic records, certificates, or supporting letter from the degree-awarding institution.
  6. A photocopy of qualifications proof (and work experience if possible).
  7. A letter of consent from the applicant’s present working unit.

Employing companies need to submit the following documentation:

  1. The application for employing professionals in HK (ID 990B).
  2. A photocopy of the company’s contract with the letter of appointment to the applicant.
  3. The Business Registration Certificate copy.
  4. A photocopy of financial standing proof (statements or financial reports).
  5. Documents containing company details and background.
  6. A detailed business plan (for companies not older than 12 months).

How long does HK work visa take?

Applications submitted under the IANG by foreign fresh graduates take about two weeks to process upon receipt of all the required documents.

It usually takes four weeks to process the permit for employment. Bear in mind that the Immigration Department cannot start the processing without all the required documentation! Also, the director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion rights to reject any application! This can happen even if the application meets all the requirements.

Other methods

Let’s take a look at other admission schemes that you could make use of along with the concept of working holidays in Hong Kong.

The following schemes are covered below:

  • Admission schemes for talent
  • Admission schemes for professionals
  • Admission schemes for entrepreneurs
  • Working holidays

Admission schemes for talent

Foreign technology talent may apply to work in Hong Kong under TechTAS. TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit non-local technology talent to undertake research and development (R&D) work for them in Hong Kong.

Eligible companies first need to apply for a quota. A company allotted with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) can sponsor an eligible person to apply for an employment visa within the 12-month quota validity period.

However, there are certain requirements under TechTAS that include:

  • The employing company has to obtain a valid quota approved by ITC at the time of application.
  • Applicants should be principally engaged in conducting 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.
  • Applicants should hold a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) from a well-recognized university.
  • Remuneration shall not be lower than the prevailing market level for comparable jobs in Hong Kong.
  • Applicants should meet the specific particulars pertaining to the job position set out in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC.

Admission schemes for professionals

Individuals that possess certain skill sets or valuable work experience from overseas (Taiwan and Macao included) can apply for work in Hong Kong under the GEP.

There are no sector restrictions. But, there are three major requirements.

  • An applicant needs to secure a job relevant to their academic qualifications or work experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local workforce.
  • The remuneration package needs to commensurate with the prevailing market rate.
  • An applicant should have a good educational background, technical qualifications or proven professional experience.

The government has also launched various enhancement measures including:

  1. A relaxed pattern of an individual’s stay’s duration from ‘1+2+2+3’ years to ‘2+3+3’ years.
  2. Relaxed eligible top-tier entrants’ pattern of the duration of stay from ‘1+2+2+3’ years to ‘2+6’ years; on time limitation with no other conditions of stay upon extension.

Admission schemes for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs from abroad (Taiwan and Macao included) who have intentions of establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong can also apply for an employment visa Hong Kong under the GEP.

Major requirements include:

  • Decent educational background, technical qualifications, or proven professional experience.
  • An applicant should be able to make a significant contribution to the economy of the HKSAR.

The authorities have launched various enhancement measures recently:

When assessing applications, consider the following factors:

  • Business plan
  • Business turnover
  • Financial resources
  • Investment sum
  • Number of jobs created locally
  • Introduction of new technology or skills

Applications will be favorably considered for start-up entrepreneurs who plan to establish or join in a start-up business supported by a government-backed program such as:

  • InvestHK’s StartmeupHK Venture Programme
  • Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s Incu-App, Incu-Bio and Incu-Tech programs
  • Cyberport Incubation Programme
  • Innovation and Technology Commission’s Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme and Enterprise Support Scheme
  • Hong Kong Design Centre’s Design Incubation Programme

Working Holidays Scheme

The authorities have designed this scheme with the aim to facilitate cultural and educational exchange between Hong Kong and other countries. All of this is done with the intention of strengthening bilateral relationships.

National passport holders aged between 18 and 30 of the participating country, who are ordinarily residing in their home country and whose main intention is to enjoy the holiday time are more than welcome in Hong Kong.

Now, the most important bit is that under the propositions of the Scheme, visitors may take up short-term employment or a short training course while they are enjoying holidays in Hong Kong.

Also bear in mind that there will be an annual quota for individuals of each participating country and qualified applications will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to be granted a Working Holiday visa, an individual needs to meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • An individual holds a valid national passport issued by the participating country and is ordinarily residing in that participating country.
  • Their primary intention is to spend holiday time in Hong Kong.
  • The person has to be aged between 18 and 30.
  • An individual should be able to produce financial proof of having an amount sufficient for their maintenance during their proposed stay in the HKSAR (e.g. bank statement, saving accounts passbooks, etc.).
  • An individual holds a return air ticket or financial proof of having sufficient funds to purchase a return air ticket.
  • The person agrees to hold medical, healthcare (including hospitalization), repatriation and liability insurance to remain in force throughout their stay in the HKSAR.

Wrap Up

Now that you have some basic insights and the most important tips on how you should handle the acquisition of your employment visa in Hong Kong, make sure to revise this guide once again and you are good to go.

As you can see, as long as you meet all the criteria, you should be able to get the employment visa easily.

If there are any uncertainties regarding work permits and other kinds of Hong Kong visas/ permits, feel free to reach out to Sleek!

Ready to grow your business?

Our expert team is here to help you. Explore our incorporation services or contact our team to get personalised advice today.

Start a business in less than 3 hours with us. Talk to our experts today.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Our jam-packed newsletter covers monthly compliance updates, upcoming events and exclusive offers

Other articles that might interest you

Related content

Need help? Let’s have a chat!

NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE?

We'd love to help. Share your contact details and we'll call you back!

WhatsApp Us

Conditions Apply

Before participating in this promotion, you must carefully read and agree to abide by the following terms and conditions.

  1. Eligible Users: To enjoy this offer, customers must register a new company with the specified package (Incorporation with HK Registered Address & company secretary), and purchase tax, audit, or accounting services. Customers will receive a fee waiver of HKD 2,000. This offer is only valid for new incorporation clients once per company and is not available for Incorporation-only clients.
  2. Promotion Period: This promotion is valid until May 31, 2023. Sleek reserves the right to end this promotion at any time without prior notice to customers.
  3. Fees and Payment: Customers must pay the full registration and tax/audit/accounting service fees according to Sleek’s standard payment terms. The HKD 2,000 waiver of government business registration fees will be applied as a discount on the customer’s invoice.
  4. Confidentiality: Sleek shall treat all information provided by the customer as confidential and shall not disclose such information to any third party, except as required by law or with the customer’s consent.
  5. Limitation of Liability: To the extent permitted by law, Sleek shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising out of this promotion.
  6. Disclaimer: To the extent permitted by law, Sleek shall not be responsible for any loss or damage arising from the customer’s use of this promotion. Sleek does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, timeliness, suitability, or availability of the website and its content. Sleek reserves the right to change the website and its content at any time without prior notice to customers.
  7. Cancellation of Orders: If customers wish to cancel an order, they must contact Sleek’s customer service department within 24 hours of submitting the order. Orders cannot be cancelled if they have already been processed.
  8. Links to Third-Party Websites: Sleek’s website may contain links to third-party websites that are not under Sleek’s control. Sleek is not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party websites and does not endorse or recommend them. Customers should carefully read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any third-party website before using it.
  9.  Accuracy of Registration Information: Customers warrant that all registration information provided is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. If a customer’s registration information changes, the customer should update their account information promptly. Sleek shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the customer’s provision of inaccurate or incomplete registration information.
whatsapp icon

Chat with us on WhatsApp from your mobile

qr_code_whatsapp
30 day moneyback guarantee

30 Days Money Back Guarantee

Our refund policy:

We care about you – within 30 days from your purchase, if you’re unhappy with our services, we’ll refund our fee. Email or call us, and we’ll process the refund within five working days.

What it doesn’t cover:

We will not be able to refund Government fees once the application has been submitted, nor any third-party processing fees.

When it applies:

We cannot guarantee any specific legal outcomes when you use our services. For instance, a company registration might be filed correctly but still get rejected by the Company Registry for reasons beyond our control. We can only refund our fees for issues we are directly responsible for. In the case that you purchase a service and later change your mind, we can’t issue a refund.

Our customer support team is at your disposal for any questions or issue you may face.

Need help?

Our sales team is available from Mon - Fri 9am to 7pm (Hong Kong Time)

Let's get in touch

Book a time with our experts to guide you in finding the best solution.