Unless otherwise indicated, the employment (or work) visa application stated in this quotation refers to visa applications for employment as professionals under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals.
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong, he/she requires a visa permit for work in Hong Kong. Foreigners who wish to take up any short-term or long-term employment (whether paid or unpaid) in Hong Kong, he/she must obtain an employment visa/permit from Hong Kong Immigration Department before take-up the employment.
Under General Employment Policy (“GEP”) and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (“ASMTP”), foreigners and Chinese residents of the Mainland China who possess special skills, knowledge, or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong may apply to come to work as Professionals.
The GEP does not apply to Chinese residents of Mainland China. Professionals who are Chinese residents from Mainland China may apply to come to work in Hong Kong under the dedicated Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (“ASMTP”).
Alternatively, foreigners who wish to establish or join in business and then take up the employment or sponsoring by his/her owned business in Hong Kong, he/she may apply for the work visa/permit under the Investment as Entrepreneurs scheme under GEP. Please refer to our Hong Kong Investment as Entrepreneurs Work Visa Procedures and Fees for details.
Both the GEP and ASMTP work visas are quota-free and non-sector specific. All professionals who meet the eligibility criteria specified in the Section 2 of this quotation may apply for an employment visa in Hong Kong.
Applicants who have been admitted into Hong Kong to take up employment through the above-mentioned work visa schemes may also apply for a dependent visa for their spouse or unmarried dependent child(ren) under the age of 18. Finally, it is worth noting that work visa holders may apply for the right of abode in Hong Kong in accordance with the law if they have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven (7) years.