Employment Visa (Employment as Professionals)

This scheme sets out for persons who wish to enter/stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment as professionals. Applicants who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR may apply to come to work under the General Employment Policy. Apart from professionals in the commercial and financial fields, they are also applicable to talent and professionals in the arts, culture and sport sectors as well as those in the culinary profession with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an Asian world city.

According to The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, the Government will streamline the General Employment Policy (GEP), such that for vacancies falling under the 13 professions with shortage of local supply as listed in the Talent List or for vacancies with annual salary of HK$2 million or above, employers are not required to provide proof to substantiate their difficulties in local recruitment in making applications for talent admission.

An application for a visa/ entry permit to take up employment under the GEP may be favourably considered if:

1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
2. the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
3. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or working experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force;
4. the remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the HKSAR;
5. there is a genuine job vacancy; and
6. the sponsoring company’s business and financial status are also one of the considerations.

Note: This scheme does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.

Documents Needed:

From the Applicant

1. The applicant’s CV (Curriculum Vitae)
   Including his/her academic achievements, reference letter or documents that can prove for the past working experience.

From the Sponsor Company

1. Introduction of the company (Including Company Background, scope of the business/product description, detailed organization chart of the company);
2. Company Website;
3. Company’s Business Registration Certificate, Certification of Incorporation, M&A (Memorandum & Articles of Association), AR (Annual Return);
4. Company’s documents that shows financial status (E.g. Audited Report, Profit Tax Return, Bank Statements etc);
5. Details of the job vacancy (E.g. Requirements, responsibilities etc);
6. Contract with the applicant (Including remunerations, welfare etc.)

Processing Time:

It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks to process the application by The Immigration Department, but there might be some more questions raise by The Immigration Department, therefore it is possible to take around 2 to 3 months for the whole process.