How to get a Hong Kong work visa: A comprehensive guide

Professionals from overseas, Taiwan, and Macau who wish to work in Hong Kong can apply under the GEP, and there are no industry restrictions. The key requirements for this visa include:

• Have no criminal history related to serious crimes, terrorism, or any activities that could harm Hong Kong's security.
• Secure a job that matches their education or work experience. A job that cannot easily be filled by the local workforce.
• Have a confirmed job offer and be employed in a job that matches your education or previous work experience.
• Have a suitable salary.
• Have a strong educational background, technical qualifications, or proven professional experience.

Entrepreneurs from overseas, Taiwan, and Macau who plan to establish or engage in business in Hong Kong can apply under the GEP - Entrepreneur stream.

• Applicants must not have a record of serious crimes or involvement in terrorist activities or other activities that may harm the security of Hong Kong.
• Candidates with good academic qualifications, good technical skills, proven professional ability.
• Applicants should be able to make a significant contribution to the HKSAR economy, with factors considered including:

(1) Business plan

Applicants wishing to establish or engage in business in Hong Kong must submit A two-year business plan outlining the nature of the business, market analysis, market positioning, business orientation, sales targets, product marketing strategies, etc. to demonstrate that the Business is suitable and capable of developing in Hong Kong.

The applicant must also submit two years' forecast of profit and loss account, cash flow statement and balance sheet to demonstrate the viability of the business in terms of operations, finance and development.

(2) Business revenue

If the applicant is already running a business abroad or has operated in Hong Kong, they must provide a profit and loss account and balance sheet showing the previous year’s revenue and profit.

(3) Financial resources

Applicants must submit their personal and corporate bank statements for the previous year and evidence of other sources of funding, as well as the company's most recent audited financial statements (if available) to demonstrate that they are financially capable.

(4) Investment amount

Applicants must submit documentary evidence showing the amount of investment capital in Hong Kong.

(5) Number of jobs created locally

The applicant should set out the organizational structure for his Business as well as the number of employees and positions required, based on the nature and size of the Business.

Additionally, Individuals who wish to establish or participate in a start-up business may also apply.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department may favorably consider start-up applications supported by government-backed programs, provided the applicant is the owner, partner, or principal researcher of the start-up or related project.

Highly skilled or talented individuals who have not received a job offer in Hong Kong but wish to settle and work in Hong Kong may apply under the QMAS with no industry restrictions.

There are two scoring tests under the program:

• General Proficiency Test (GPT) for skilled or talented people: Assessment factors: age, education/professional qualifications, work experience, talent list, foreign language proficiency, family background.
• Achievement-based testing (APT) is for talented individuals with outstanding achievements (e.g. Olympic medalists, Nobel Prize winners, national/international awards).

Successful applicants will be issued a visa/entry permit (in the form of an “e-Visa”) under the Hong Kong Residence Scheme.

Note: This program is not applicable to citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba and Republic of Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).

Conditions of participation:

All applicants must meet all of the following prerequisites:

• Age: 18 years and older.
• Financial Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to support and care for themselves and their dependents (if any).
• Background: no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
• Language proficiency: fluent in written and spoken Chinese or English.
• Basic education: have a good educational background, usually a first degree from an accredited university or higher education institution.
• In exceptional cases, good technical qualifications, demonstrated professional ability and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

Residence period:

• Individuals participating in the GPT under QMAS will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months with no other stay conditions upon entry.
• Individuals admitted through the merit-based points test under the Program will generally be granted an 8-year stay only with no other conditions of stay upon entry.

Individuals who have not received a job offer in Hong Kong but are interested in settling and working in Hong Kong may apply under the TTPS. Applicants may choose to apply for the TTPS under one of the following categories:

• Individuals with an annual income of HK$2,5 million or more or the equivalent amount in foreign currency in the year immediately preceding the date of application (Category A).
• Graduates of qualified universities with at least three years of work experience in the past five years immediately preceding the date of application (Type B).
• Graduates from eligible universities in the past 5 years immediately prior to the application date with less than 3 years of working experience, subject to the annual quota will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (Category C). However, Category C does not apply to non-local students who have obtained a full-time and locally recognized undergraduate degree in the HKSAR.

Residence period:

• TTPS participants will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months subject to time limits without further conditions of stay upon entry.
• This program does not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba and South Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

Training visa is issued to foreign individuals who wish to enter Hong Kong to receive training from a reputable company for a maximum period of up to one year, to acquire and acquire special skills and knowledge that are not available in the applicant's country/territory of residence.

This type does not apply to certain nationalities and residents of China (Mainland) (excluding Chinese employees and business partners of long-established companies or multinational companies headquartered in Hong Kong).

The Business Visit Visa is not a work visa and is only for business executives who need to engage in business matters in Hong Kong.

Citizens of more than 170 countries and territories can visit Hong Kong visa-free for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days.

If an individual is not entitled to the visa exemption policy or wishes to stay beyond the visa exemption period, a visa/entry permit must be obtained before arriving in Hong Kong.

Applicants coming to Hong Kong on a visit visa (for business purposes) may undertake the following business-related activities:

• Sign a contract or submit a bid.
• Check or supervise the installation/packaging of goods and equipment.
• Participation in exhibitions and trade fairs (except selling goods or providing services directly to the public).
• Settlement of compensation or other civil proceedings.
• Participate in product development orientation.
• Looking for business opportunities.
• Meet with Hong Kong based customers or suppliers and attend short term seminars or other business meetings.

Important note

Applicants will need to provide evidence of their purpose of visit to Hong Kong, e.g. an invitation letter issued by a local company, a letter issued by a trade body to confirm the applicant's attendance at trade fairs and exhibitions, etc.

An individual entering Hong Kong on a visit visa for business purposes cannot engage in employment, whether paid or unpaid, establish or participate in any business, or join any educational institution.

The Travel Pass is not a work visa and is only for foreign business people who need to travel to Hong Kong regularly for business matters.

The main benefit of this type is that Travel Pass holders can enjoy streamlined, streamlined immigration procedures as they are allowed to use Hong Kong immigration counters at the airport (instead of visitor counters) and the automated passenger clearance system.

With the Travel Pass, individuals can enter Hong Kong multiple times within the validity period and stay for up to two months on each visit.

• Condition: Regular business people holding a valid Passport, who are eligible to travel to Hong Kong without a permit or entry visa and for the purpose of visit only, may apply for this type of visa.
• This depends on the criteria: the applicant has a genuine need to visit Hong Kong regularly, and has previously made three or more trips to Hong Kong (excluding return trips to mainland China or the areas of Macau) in the 12 months prior to applying for this visa, or the applicant can demonstrate to the authorities that the visit will benefit the economy of Hong Kong.
• Effective: The Travel Pass is valid for three years and allows the holder to enter Hong Kong multiple times within the validity period with each stay of up to two months.
• Quota system: No. Each application for this type of visa will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Permanent Residence Conditions: Not eligible.

GLA has a team of experts with extensive knowledge of work visa types and related procedures in Hong Kong.

GLA will advise and support Individuals/Enterprises in choosing the appropriate type of work visa and carry out the procedures for applying for a Hong Kong Visa successfully and quickly to ensure that Individuals/Enterprises have all the conditions to work in Hong Kong effectively and legally.

Citizens of about 170 countries and territories can visit Hong Kong without a visa/entry permit for stays ranging from 7 days to 180 days. 

In case, Individuals who plan to work in Hong Kong for a longer period of time need to obtain a visa before they can live or work in Hong Kong.

Contact GLA for advice and support to apply for a Hong Kong visa quickly and simply.

Typically, it takes four weeks to process an investment visa/entry permit application after receiving all required documents.

Conditions for being granted a work visa in Hong Kong include:

• There is a job opening with a Hong Kong company.
• Have the education and experience appropriate for the job.
• In good health/
• No criminal record.

Depending on the registration program, there are different conditions for Individuals/Businesses.

For more detailed information on the conditions for applying for a work visa in Hong Kong, Individuals/Businesses can contact GLA for detailed support and advice.

Yes. The Hong Kong Immigration Department may refuse to issue a Work Visa to a foreigner if the application is incomplete or does not meet the necessary conditions.

For more detailed information about work visas in Hong Kong, please contact GLA immediately for detailed support and advice.