Hong Kong, as a global financial hub and a business epicenter in Asia, offers a diverse range of visa options catering to individuals with various purposes. The Hong Kong Immigration Department provides visa programs for employment, investment, education, family accompaniment, talent attraction, and more, making it an ideal destination for international talent and entrepreneurs. In 2024, a new visa scheme called the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) was introduced to attract more capital and enrich the talent pool to Hong Kong. This blog will provide an overview of all the visa types issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and their unique features.
1. Employment Visa
An Employment Visa is required when individuals wish to stay in Hong Kong for work purposes. The employer must submit the application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Employment Visas are categorized as follows:
- General Employment Policy (GEP):
This visa is designed to attract overseas professionals to work in Hong Kong. Applicants must possess skills and experience that are in short supply locally, and employers need to justify the necessity of hiring the applicant.
- Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP):
This scheme aimed at qualified Mainland talents and professionals to work in the HKSAR in order to meet local manpower needs and enhance the HKSAR’s competitiveness in the globalised market.
- Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents:
This scheme aimed at persons who are the second generation of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents from overseas may apply to return to work in the Hong Kong.
2. Student Visa
The Student Visa is for those intending to pursue studies in Hong Kong. This includes full-time academic programs (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) or short-term courses. The visa is generally valid for the duration of the study program and does not allow for post-graduation stay extensions.
3. Dependant Visa
Dependant Visas are issued to the spouse, unmarried children under 18, and parents over 60 of a Hong Kong resident. Dependant Visa holders can study and work in Hong Kong without additional permits, and they enjoy the same duration of stay as the primary visa holder.
4. Training Visa
A Training Visa is issued for individuals participating in job-specific training programs in Hong Kong. Typically, the visa is valid for up to 12 months, and it does not allow the holder to engage in regular employment outside of the training scope.
5. Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
This visa is issued to non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in the HKSAR or in a full-time programme offered by a higher education institution in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly established by universities of the Mainland and Hong Kong in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools.
6. Tourist and Visit Visa
The Tourist and Visit Visa is for individuals visiting Hong Kong for tourism or short-term purposes. Generally, visitors can stay for 14 to 180 days, depending on their nationality. Visa-free entry is available for many countries, but others must obtain a visa before arrival. This visa does not permit employment or educational activities during the stay.
7. Working Holiday Visa
Designed for young people aged 18-30, the Working Holiday Visa allows short-term employment and stays in Hong Kong for up to 12 months. It is issued under specific agreements between Hong Kong and selected countries, enabling cultural exchange and travel experiences.
8. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
QMAS is a scheme designed to attract highly-skilled and educated individuals to reside in Hong Kong. Applicants are evaluated based on criteria such as qualifications, work experience, language skills, and more. Successful applicants do not require a job offer to stay and work in Hong Kong.
9. Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
TTPS is a scheme aimed at attracting highly-skilled individuals and top university graduates to Hong Kong.
10. Investment Visa
This visa is for individuals who want to start a business or invest in Hong Kong. There are two types of Investment Visas:
- Investment as Entrepreneurs:
This visa is granted to individuals or corporate executives looking to start a new business or invest in existing businesses in Hong Kong. The application is evaluated based on business plans, investment amount, and the potential to create jobs in Hong Kong.
- 2024 New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES):
This visa is aimed at high-net-worth individuals looking to manage their assets and investments in Hong Kong. The application is evaluated based on net assets, investment amount in permissible investment assets of the applicants in Hong Kong. Not less than HK$30 million Net (or equivalent in foreign currencies) is required to be made in the permissible investment assets.
- The newly introduced 2024 New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) is aimed at high-net-worth individuals looking to manage their assets and investments in Hong Kong. The scheme has three criteria:
- Age – aged 18 or above at the time of applying for net asset assessment to Invest Hong Kong.
- Scope of the Scheme –
(i) Foreign nationalsNote1;
(ii) Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country;
(iii) Macao Special Administrative Region residents; or
(iv) Chinese residents of Taiwan; - Net assets – applies for net asset assessment to InvestHK, i.e. demonstrating that he/she has net assets or net equity to which he/she is absolutely beneficially entitled with a market value of not less than HK$30 million Net (or equivalent in foreign currencies) throughout the two years preceding the date he/she lodged the application for net asset assessment;
- Investment in permissible investment assets – makes investment of not less than HK$30 million Net (or equivalent in foreign currencies) in the permissible investment assets to which he/ she is absolutely beneficially entitled;
- No adverse record – demonstrates that he/she has no adverse immigration record and meets normal immigration and security requirements; and
- Others – demonstrates to the Director of Immigration that he/she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself/herself and his/her dependants, if any, on his/her own without relying on any return on the Permissible investment assets, employment, self-employment, office, business or public assistance in or carried on in Hong Kong as the case may be. In addition, the entry of dependants will be subject to any other policy applicable to such entry at the time.
New CIES holders can stay in Hong Kong for up to two years and are eligible to seek employment without needing a pre-existing job offer. The scheme also allows family members to join and stay in Hong Kong, offering a stable living environment for accompanying family members.
With these diverse visa programs, the Hong Kong Immigration Department caters to the needs of individuals and businesses looking to establish themselves in Hong Kong. Each visa has specific eligibility criteria and benefits, so it is essential to choose the one that best fits your purpose. Prepare for a successful stay in Hong Kong by understanding and selecting the most suitable visa type for your needs!
