Obtaining a work permit in Hong Kong

For business travelers and expatriates coming to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for professional employment purposes, getting a visa is a relatively simple and pain free process. For administrative purposes, Hong Kong classifies would be professional employees into three basic categories:

- Applicants who have obtained a degree in Hong Kong in a full time and locally accredited degree program may apply to stay and or return (within 6 months of graduation) to Hong Kong to work under the "Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates" or "IANG" scheme.

- For applicants who did not attend school in Hong Kong but have special skills or expertise that is not readily available in Hong Kong may apply under the “General Employment Policy” or "GEP" scheme.

- And finally, for Chinese Mainland residents who are not local graduates but have special skills or expertise may apply under the “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” or “ASMTP" scheme.

A person applying under the IANG scheme should apply for an extension to work within 4 weeks of the limit of their stay while a non-local graduate must secure an offer of employment at a level commonly taken up by local degree holders and at a salary package that is set at market levels. For those who are setting up a business venture in Hong Kong, proof of this business is required.

In general, applicants will be permitted to remain for a 2 or 2 to 3 year period without other conditions and an applicant is free to change employers without seeking permission from the Immigration Department.

For the latest general information, forms and fee schedules for visa and entry permit requirements for Hong Kong, visitors should refer to the website of Hong Kong’s Immigration Department as well as the Hong Kong government’s information portal. For specific information regarding visas for professional employment, the information portal has a dedicated page while the Immigration Department has a Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong posted on its website.