Share this article
Contents
Contents
This Hong Kong immigration guide provides an overview of the different visa, criteria and stay duration. There are a variety of visas and passes for foreigners and their family members who wish to stay in Hong Kong, including visas for employment, investment, training and permanent residence.
Employment/investment
General employment policy (GEP) – Work visa
General Employment Policy is suitable for the entry of those who want to stay in Hong Kong for employment as professionals. The GEP is non-sector specific, so those who have special skills, knowledge or experience that is not available in Hong Kong may apply to work under the GEP.
This entry does not apply to:
- Mainland China residents
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.
Eligible criteria | You will be eligible to apply for the GEP if you meet the following requirements:
Overseas Chinese nationals holding a People’s Republic of China passport who meet the requirements as stated above may apply for the GEP if:
|
Processing time | Approximately four weeks |
Stay duration |
|
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
Criteria to be met:
|
Right to abode | Individuals under the GEP who have stayed in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply for the right to abode. |
Get our in-depth guide covering everything you need to know about starting and managing your business in Hong Kong.
- Discover foreign registration options & restrictions
- Learn about available government incentives & promotions
- Understand all compliance requirements

Admission scheme for mainland talents and professionals (ASMTP)
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals is for Mainland China residents who want to stay in Hong Kong for employment as professionals.
The ASMTP does not apply to a specific sector, and Chinese residents of the Mainland who have special skills, knowledge or experience not available in Hong Kong may apply.
Eligible criteria | A candidate who applies for an ASMTP may be considered if:
|
Processing time | Approximately four weeks |
Stay duration |
|
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
Criteria to be met:
The entry does not apply to:
|
Right to abode | Individuals under the ASMTP who have stayed in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply for the right to abode. |
Technology talent admission scheme (TechTas)
This permit applies to companies who want non-local technology talent to engage in research and development (R&D) roles for them in Hong Kong.
The company would first have to apply for a quota, and once the company received a quota from the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), the company can sponsor a person suitable for the employment within the 12-month quota period. This pass does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam.
Eligible criteria | A candidate will be able to apply for the TechTas if the candidate has:
|
Processing time | Approximately two weeks |
Stay duration |
|
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
Criteria to be met:
The entry does not apply to:
|
Right to abode | Individuals under the TechTas who have stayed in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply for the right to abode. |
Investment as entrepreneurs scheme – Investment visa
Those who are seeking to establish or join a business in Hong Kong may apply for the investment visa.
This permit is not eligible for:
- Chinese residents of Mainland China
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam
Eligible criteria | The application to enter Hong Kong through the Investment as Entrepreneur Scheme may be considered if:
Those who want to set up or join a startup may also apply for the Investment as Entrepreneurs Scheme. |
Processing time | Approximately four weeks |
Stay duration |
|
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
|
Right to abode | Individuals who have applied for investment and stayed in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply for the right to abode. |
Imported workers
This scheme is suitable for individuals who wish to enter Hong Kong under the Supplementary Labour Scheme for employment. This scheme allows employers or companies with difficulties to find local employees that are suitable for the work scope to be able to import workers from outside of Hong Kong.
This scheme does not allow imported workers to bring their dependants, and does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.
Eligible criteria | To be eligible for this entry, the worker must fulfil the following requirements:
|
Processing time | Approximately six weeks |
Stay duration |
|
Levy |
|
Training
The training visa is suitable for those who want to enter Hong Kong to receive skill training related to their current work field.
This pass is not eligible for those who are:
- Mainland China residents
- Nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Nepal
Eligible criteria | Individuals who are eligible to apply for the training entry must meet the following requirements:
|
Processing time | Approximately four weeks |
Stay duration | Maximum 12 months |
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
|
Residence
Quality migrant admission scheme (QMAS)
Those who are skilled individuals and wish to stay in Hong Kong to build their career in Hong Kong may apply for this scheme. To enter Hong Kong under the QMAS scheme, you must fulfil the prerequisites, pass a point-based test and compete for the quota.
Eligible criteria | Applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites:
Those who fulfil the prerequisites must pass either the General Points Test or Achievement-based Points Test. |
Processing time | Approximately 15 days |
Stay duration | Those who entered through the General Points Test can stay for 24 months Those who entered through the Achievement-based Points Test can stay for eight years |
Passes for family | Dependant pass for:
|
Dependant visa
A dependant visa is for the family members of an individual who holds a Hong Kong visa for employment, investment, training or are permanent residents in Hong Kong. The dependant is permitted to stay in Hong Kong for the same period as the sponsor’s stay.
Eligible criteria | Sponsors who are a Hong Kong permanent resident:
Sponsors who hold a visa for employment, investment or training:
|
Processing time | Approximately six weeks |
Stay duration |
Once the renewal is approved:
|
Right to abode | Dependants who have stayed in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply for the right to abode. |
Conclusion
Every year a high number of people travel to Hong Kong for business and residence because of the many pull factors including high quality of life, career opportunities, ease of starting a business and low tax rates that are offered to residing foreigners and international investors.
Hong Kong has introduced immigration programmes that support these pull factors through schemes and policies to welcome individuals who desire to enter Hong Kong. If you are interested in migrating to Hong Kong, allow Acclime to support you through the process.
Share this article