Can foreigners work in Hong Kong right now?
Hong Kong Work Visa Valid Work Visas are required for foreigners by the Immigration Department before taking up any sort of employment whether it is paid or unpaid, short-term or long-term, unless you have been provided a Right of Abode, a Right to Land or an Unconditional Stay in Hong Kong.
Is it hard to get a Hong Kong work visa?
Getting a job that allows you to move to Hong Kong is usually the trickiest part of getting a Hong Kong visa. However, once you have that settled, the bureaucratic side of getting a work permit or employment visa in Hong Kong is not too complicated. In addition to that, Hong Kong work visa costs are free of charge.
Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong?
Do I need a visa for Hong Kong? Nationals of about 180 countries may visit Hong Kong without a visa for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days. 1. Nationals of UK to visit Hong Kong for a period up to 180 days.
How many work permits can I get in Hong Kong?
The work permit issued to skilled foreign professionals comes under the Employment for Professionals scheme of the country. There is no limit to the number of visas, and these permits are issued to individuals based on the assessment of their qualifications and specific skills set that are not possessed by the Hong Kong local citizens.
Can I work in Hong Kong without a visa?
If you're working in Hong Kong (paid, unpaid or temporarily transferred in) but do not have an employment visa sponsored by your current employer you are breaking the law and could be subject to 3 years imprisonment and/or up to a HKD350,000 fine.
How do I get a work visa for Hong Kong?
Applicants need to have the following documents to avail a Hong Kong work visa/permit:Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.Employment visa application form (fully filled).Job offer letter.Recent passport sized photographs (2 to 3).Travel Insurance.Health Insurance.More items...
Can foreigners work in Hong Kong?
Foreign applicants who possess special skills, experience and knowledge not readily available in Hong Kong are allowed to take employment in Hong Kong. To work in Hong Kong, a foreigner must have a valid work visa. Employers are required to apply for a work visa on behalf of your employee.
Are you legally permitted to work in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Work Authorization After receiving a visa to enter Hong Kong, a worker needs to apply for a work permit. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, so it works under different regulations than other areas in the country.
How long does HK work visa take?
4-6 weeksThe processing time of a Hong Kong working visa is normally 4-6 weeks from the date of submission. Upon approval of the application, a two-year work visa will be granted. The applicant will then be allowed to apply a resident Hong Kong Identity card.
How much is the working visa in HK?
30 USDIssuance of the self-employment visa costs as much as a business visa, 230 HKD (30 USD).
How long can you work in Hong Kong without a visa?
This means that people from around 170 different countries around the world can visit Hong Kong visa free for periods ranging between seven days and 180 days, while you'll still need a visa to work, study or live permanently in Hong Kong.
How long can you stay in Hong Kong without a visa?
U.S. citizens may visit Hong Kong for up to 90 days without a visa, but a visa is required for those to work, study, establish or join in any business or to take up residence.
Who has the right to work in Hong Kong?
Employment. As a general rule, any person other than those who have the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong, must obtain an employment visa before taking up employment. Please visit the Hong Kong Immigration website for further information.
How can a foreigner get a job in Hong Kong?
It is relatively hard to get a job in Hong Kong. The employers are picky when choosing foreign workers and fill visa application. The workers need to meet strict qualifications to land a job, and the employer needs to prove that they cannot pick a local resident for the job instead.
Can I work without visa?
Most countries have some sort of work permit restrictions or require you to prove that you have a large sum of money stashed away before giving you a working visa. Depending on the country you wish to work and travel in, it might be almost impossible to get the right visa without proof of employment.
How can I be eligible to work in Hong Kong?
Eligible applicants must have good educational qualifications and possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the Hong Kong in order to obtain Hong Kong employment visa. There is no quota system limiting the number of Hong Kong work visas under this scheme.
How can a foreigner get a job in Hong Kong?
It is relatively hard to get a job in Hong Kong. The employers are picky when choosing foreign workers and fill visa application. The workers need to meet strict qualifications to land a job, and the employer needs to prove that they cannot pick a local resident for the job instead.
Do you need permission to study in Hong Kong?
All dependants do not require prior permission from the Director of Immigration to study in Hong Kong.
Can you extend your stay in Hong Kong as a dependent?
Applications for extension of stay for residence as dependants in Hong Kong will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependants (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR.
How to apply for a work permit in Hong Kong?
If your employees are applying for a Hong Kong work permit under the GEP, they need to include a statement from you describing the position. The Immigration Department will assess the application for: 1 A graduate degree 2 Necessary professional experience 3 Salary and working conditions comparable to local standards 4 Contribution to the local economy 5 Lack of a local to fill the particular position
How to get a visa for a Chinese employee?
First, employees need to fill out the right application form for their requested visa and attach all the required documents. If the documents are in any other language besides English or Chinese, the employee must provide a translation. They will also need a valid travel document from their home country.
How long does an employment visa last?
While the typical employment visa is valid only in the short-term, employees can get an extension once it expires. They should apply at least four weeks before the expiration date. Most employment visas will follow a two-three-three-year extension pattern.
How long can a non-local student stay in Hong Kong?
Immigration arrangements for non-local graduates: This visa is for people with a degree from Hong Kong. Within six months of graduation, they can apply to stay in the city for up to a year to look for local employment.
What is a technology talent visa?
Technology talent admission scheme: This work visa is for professionals who specialize in certain technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and financial technologies.
Where to apply for a Chinese visa?
If your employee is a foreign national living on the Chinese Mainland, they can submit their visa application in Beijing at the Hong Kong government’s office. Another option is to file the application through a local sponsor, such as a prospective employer.
Do you need a statement to get a work permit in Hong Kong?
If your employees are applying for a Hong Kong work permit under the GEP, they need to include a statement from you describing the position. The Immigration Department will assess the application for:
How might my Hong Kong work visa affect my spouse and family members?
If you have a visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP), including the entrepreneur stream of this visa type or the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme , you can bring your spouse and dependant children under 18 to Hong Kong with you.
How can I move my money to Hong Kong from my bank account abroad?
If you plan to open a bank account in Hong Kong, or know someone there with a bank account, consider using a money conversion company like Wise to send money to Hong Kong and avoid unfair exchange rates.
Do I need a Hong Kong work visa?
Most foreigners will need some form of permit to work in Hong Kong. The exact visa that applies to you will vary according to the circumstances.
How to apply for a work visa in Hong Kong?
Advise the applicant and the sponsoring company on their alternatives and the likelihood of success;#N#3. Obtain the applicant/sponsoring company’s signature on the letter of engagement;#N#4. Obtain deposit payment;#N#5. Prepare a tailor-made document checklist for the application;#N#6. Complete immigration forms, drafts and letters;#N#7. Review the collected documents to ensure they are correctly presented;#N#8. Draft all letters required for submission to Immigration Department;#N#9. Ongoing liaison with Immigration Department;#N#10. Reply Immigration Department’s enquiries on the applicant’s behalf;#N#11. Accept the visa approval and collect the visa label from Immigration Department ;#N#12. Deliver the visa to the applicant;#N#13. Provide guidance on Hong Kong Identity Card application.
How long does it take to get a Hong Kong work visa?
The processing time of a Hong Kong working visa is normally 4-6 weeks from the date of submission. Upon approval of the application, a two-year work visa will be granted. The applicant will then be allowed to apply a resident Hong Kong Identity card.
What are the requirements for a Hong Kong visa?
1. An individual should have secured an employment/job offer before the visa application is submitted ; 2. An individual should possess unique qualifications and relevant working experience that are not readily available in Hong Kong in order to fulfill the visa requirement. 3.
Can an overseas employee be transferred to Hong Kong?
If the applicant has only been employed by the company overseas for a few months, then the application will probably be treated as a “new” application instead of an “internal transfer” application, and thus more supporting evidence as to why the position could not be filled locally will be necessary .
How long do you have to apply for an extension for a work visa?
You should apply for an extension of your work visa within four weeks before you complete the approved limit of stay. It is important to present proof of income for salaries tax. You should keep a copy of the latest tax return on salary tax received from the Inland Revenue Department.
Is Hong Kong a good place to work?
Hong Kong is an excellent destination to work. You may be eligible for a work visa in Hong Kong if you possess the right combination of skills, experience and qualifications. The Hong Kong government takes interest in work visa applications that look promising enough to contribute to the local economy and society.
Does the immigration department accept visas?
The immigration department does not accept visa applications via email or fax. Visa application may be filed through a local sponsor or prospective employer. The processing of work visa application starts after the submission of all relevant documents. Payment of fees should only be made upon collection of visa.
How long is a passport valid in Hong Kong?
All visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least one month to six months (depending on nationality) after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong. If you want to travel from Hong Kong to China mainland, you may need to apply for a China visa. See our top mainland China tours from Hong Kong.
How long does it take to get a visa?
It normally takes four weeks to process a visa application upon receipt of all required documents.
Is Hong Kong a SAR?
Although Hong Kong is part of the People's Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own visa policy and requirements.
What are the Requirements for Working in Hong Kong?
The workers themselves need to meet some relatively strict qualifications and experience guidelines, and the employer must be able to prove they could not find a suitable local resident alternative for the role.
What are the Average Wages and Salaries for Foreigners in Hong Kong?
When looked at from the perspective of average and median salaries, Hong Kong does in fact seem to offer low remuneration:
What Is the Culture and Etiquette of Hong Kong Business?
Hong Kong is a place of hard working people, where Saturday is usually considered a work day. Working hours are usually 9am to 6pm, with shorter hours on Saturday if you are required to work them. You’ll probably work an average of 50 hours per week, but 60 hours plus per week is not unheard of.
What is HKCR team?
Our experienced team at HKCR consists of advisors who can help you successfully move to and work in Hong Kong.
How to network in Hong Kong?
Thankfully, networking in Hong Kong is the same as most other Western countries — turn up to a seminar or other business/social event, bring a business card, and mix and mingle. There shouldn’t be a language barrier, as English is one of the official languages in Hong Kong.
What do you wear in Hong Kong?
Dress neat but conservatively. Be aware of the colours you wear, as they have significance in Hong Kong/Chinese culture. For example red is a lucky colour, while white is a sign of mourning. Wearing dark, and muted grey colours is mostly considered acceptable.
Why are employers picky when choosing foreign workers?
The employers are picky when choosing foreign workers and fill visa application. The workers need to meet strict qualifications to land a job, and the employer needs to prove that they cannot pick a local resident for the job instead.
Work Permits and Employment Based Visas
- Getting a job that allows you to move to Hong Kong is usually the trickiest part of getting a Hong Kong visa. However, once you have that settled, the bureaucratic side of getting a work permit or employment visa in Hong Kong is not too complicated. In addition to that, Hong Kong work visa …
Required Documents
- In your visa application, you have to include a statement by your potential employer describing the open position. When assessing your application, the Immigration Department is likely to rule in your favor if you meet the following requirements: 1. You have a graduate degree as well as the necessary professional experience for the position. 2. Your salary and other working conditions …
Family Visa
- Professionals that move to Hong Kong for work are allowed to bring dependents along with them. Qualifying dependents are: 1. Spouses (same or opposite sex) 2. Children under 18 years old The application will be favored if: 1. There is reasonable proof of genuine relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. 2. There is no record to the detriment of the applicant. 3. The sponso…
Other Visa Options
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is a great opportunity for expats of certain professions to relocate to Hong Kong. It offers 1,000 slots to IT, financial, legal, and creative professionals who do not need an existing job offer to be eligible for the visa. Find more information about it on the Working sectionof our guide. If you have obtained a degree in Hong Kong, you fall under the so-c…
How to Apply For A Visa
- Fill out the appropriate application formand attach all the required documents. If your documents are in a language other than English or Chinese, you need to provide a translation. Also, please remember that you need a valid travel document from your home country in order to obtain a visa for Hong Kong. You can submit your visa application either directly to the Hong Kong Immigratio…
Is It Possible to Extend The Visa?
- You can usually apply for an extension of your stay before your visa expires. Make sure that you apply at least four weeks before the expiration date. If you only have a visitor visa for Hong Kong though, it is usually enough to request an extension seven days in advance. Expats with an employment visa usually get extensions following a 2-3-3-year pattern. If their job contract runs …
If You Want to Change Jobs While in Hong Kong
- Keep in mind that if you wish to change jobs while you are residing in Hong Kong, you will need to restart the whole visa process under a new sponsor. Your former employer will need to inform the authorities about your departure, and you will not be able to start another job (full- or part-time) until you get your new visa processed. The applying procedures in this case do not differ from th…
What Are The Visa Exemptions For Visitors?
- As a general rule, foreign citizens need a visa to enter Hong Kong. However, if you wish to visit the country only for a short while, and you are not planning on studying or conducting business, you might be able to avoid the hassle. All you need to do to qualify for this visa exemption is have a valid document, a ticket back home, and proof that you have sufficient funds for your stay. The l…
Types of Work Visas in Hong Kong
Requirements to Obtain Hong Kong Work Visas
- If your employees are applying for a Hong Kong work permit under the GEP, they need to include a statement from you describing the position. The Immigration Department will assess the application for: 1. A graduate degree 2. Necessary professional experience 3. Salary and working conditions comparable to local standards 4. Contribution to the local...
Application Process
- First, employees need to fill out the right application form for their requested visa and attach all the required documents. If the documents are in any other language besides English or Chinese, the employee must provide a translation. They will also need a valid travel document from their home country. Applications can be mailed or handed in personally. They can go either directly t…
Other Important Considerations
- While the typical employment visa is valid only in the short-term, employees can get an extension once it expires. They should apply at least four weeks before the expiration date. Most employment visas will follow a two-three-three-year extension pattern. The only exception is a fixed employment contract that runs out before the visa expires, in which the extension will be s…
Learn More About Globalization Partners
- Need to onboard international employees right now? We can help with your global hiring needs. Contact usand request a proposal. – For this particular location, Globalization Partners may offer support processing certain work visas and permits. Contact us todayto assess your specific needs.