COMPLETE Guide: How to Apply for a Work Visa in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, with its stunning skyline, high quality of life, and thriving service economy, has become a hotspot for non-local workers seeking new and big opportunities.

However, before a foreign national can legally take up any sort of employment and live in the city, he/she is required to apply for and obtain an employment or work visa in the city.

This can be an arduous process, but we’re here to help you start a career in this bustling city! Today, we’ll walk you through all the work visa types, eligibility requirements, and application procedures involved in getting a Hong Kong work visa.

Who is eligible for a work visa in Hong Kong?

In general, a foreign national or non-local can apply for a Hong Kong work visa if he/she possesses solid educational qualifications as well as skills, knowledge, and experience that are of value to or look promising enough for Hong Kong’s local economy and society.

Of course, it’s not just limited to that because work visa eligibility can still depend on the work visa type, applicant’s qualifications, and employing company’s requirements.

What are the types of working visas in Hong Kong?

The most common working visa types available in Hong Kong are the General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa.

Besides that, other work visa types in Hong Kong include the following: Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Visa, Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) Visa, Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) Visa, Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Visa, and Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG) Visa.

We’ll discuss each Hong Kong work visa type below, along with their eligibility and document requirements.

General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa in Hong Kong

The General Employment Policy Visa (GEP) Visa is a quota-free and non-sector visa that’s applicable for non-local professionals who can take up job positions that can’t be filled by the local workforce.

Eligibility Requirements for a GEP Visa in Hong Kong

Here’s an overview of the specific eligibility requirements for a General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa:

The applicant must not have any criminal records or security objections
The applicant must have a good educational background (at least an undergraduate degree in the relevant field but can also be documentary evidence of good technical qualifications and relevant professional experience, abilities, and achievements)
The employing company must have a genuine job vacancy
The applicant must have confirmed employment offer (the job offer must match the applicant’s academic qualifications and/or work experience, and the job can’t be readily taken up by local professionals)
The applicant’s remuneration package/compensation (income, accommodation, medical, and other compensation) must be in line with Hong Kong’s market norms and standards for local professionals

Documents Required for GEP Visa

Listed below are the required forms and documents that need to be submitted by the GEP Visa applicant:

Accomplished and signed Application for Entry for Employment as Professionals (Form ID990A)
Recent photograph attached on page 2 of Form ID990A ( must show the full frontal face, should have a plain white background, and must be 50mm (height) X 40mm (width)
Photocopy of valid travel document
Photocopy of valid travel document with latest landing slip/arrival stamp/extension of stay label (if applicant is currently staying in Hong Kong)
Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any)
*Copy of transcripts/records/proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience
Photocopy of People’s Republic of China (PRC) Identity Card (if the applicant is a resident of Mainland China with no available travel document)
Photocopy of Macao Identity Card (if the applicant is a resident of Macao Special Administrative Region)
Photocopy of household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan Identity Card (if the applicant is a resident of Taiwan)
Copy of record/proof of the applicant’s residence overseas; this includes official documents endorsed by overseas authorities showing the applicant’s conditions and limits of stay (for Chinese nationals holding PRC passports only)

Meanwhile, here are the required forms and documents that need to be submitted by the employing company:

Accomplished and signed Application for Employee Professionals in Hong Kong (Form ID990B)
Photocopy of the employing company’s employment contract/or letter of appointment to the applicant (must contain information about the job post, employment period, salary, and other extra compensation)
*Photocopy of the employing company’s Business Registration Certificate
*Copy of proof of the employing company’s financial standing (latest profit tax return, audited financial report, or trading profit and loss account)
*Documents containing details about the company’s background such as mode of operation, business activities, connection/background, sources and markets, product ranges, etc.)
*Detailed business plan if the employing company is set up within 12 months upon application (information on estimated capital injection, source of fund, mode/nature of business activities, sales volume, etc.)

Note that forms/documents with (*) are not required or might just be categorized as supporting documents if the applicant or the employing company meets the GEP Facilitation Measures.

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa in Hong Kong

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa is a quota-free and non-sector visa scheme that’s only available for Mainland China Chinese residents with special skills/knowledge/experience that are of value and not readily available in Hong Kong.

Eligibility Requirements for an ASMTP Visa in Hong Kong

Here’s a list of specific eligibility requirements for an Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa:

The applicant must not have any criminal records or adverse immigration records/security objections in Hong Kong or elsewhere
The employing company must have a genuine job vacancy
The applicant must have a good educational background (normally an undergraduate degree in the relevant field, but in some circumstances, can also be documentary evidence of good technical qualifications and relevant professional experience, abilities, and achievements)
The applicant must have confirmed employment offer (the job offer must be relevant to the applicant’s academic qualifications and/or work experience, and the job can’t be readily taken up by local professionals)
The applicant’s remuneration package/compensation (income, accommodation, medical, and other compensation) must be in line with Hong Kong’s market norms and standards for local professionals

Documents Required for ASMTP Visa

Here are the necessary forms and documents that need to be submitted by the ASMTP Visa applicant:

Accomplished and signed Application for Entry for Employment as Professionals (Form ID990A)
Recent photograph attached on page 2 of Form ID990A ( must show the full frontal face, should have a plain white background, and must be 50mm (height) X 40mm (width)
Photocopy of valid travel document
Photocopy of People’s Republic of China (PRC) Identity Card (if the applicant is a resident of Mainland China with no available travel document)
Photocopy of valid travel document with latest landing slip/arrival stamp/extension of stay label (if the applicant is currently staying in Hong Kong)
Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any)
*Copy of transcripts/records/proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience
Consent letter from the applicant’s current employer or relevant authorities in Mainland China (must be attached on page 8 of Form ID990A)

On the other hand, the ASMTP Visa’s list of required forms and documents for the employing company are just the same as the ones under the GEP Visa. Just refer to the list we provided above.

Also, the forms/documents with (*) are not required or might just be categorized as supporting documents if the applicant or the employing company meets the ASMTP Facilitation Measures.

Other Work Visa Types in Hong Kong

Work Visa Types	Eligibility Requirements	Documents Required (for applicant)	Documents Required (for employing company)
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Visa – A QMAS Visa is only applicable to highly skilled or talented individuals who meet a set of prerequisites/eligibility criteria and will settle in Hong Kong to improve the city’s economic competitiveness.	• The applicant must be 18 years old or above • The applicant must not have any criminal records or adverse immigration records/security objections in Hong Kong or elsewhere • The applicant must be able to support, provide, and accommodate themselves (and their dependents, if any) using his/her own financial sources without recourse to public funds/assistance during their stay in Hong Kong • The applicant must have a good educational background (normally an undergraduate degree in the relevant field, but in some circumstances, can also be documentary evidence of good technical qualifications and relevant professional experience, abilities, and achievements) • The applicant must be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Cantonese or Putonghua) or English (must have IELTS/TOEFL exam scores as proof) • The applicant must not be a national of the following countries: Laos, Vietnam, North Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, or Nepal The applicant must receive at least a minimum passing mark under the General Points Test or Achievement-based Points Test **Note that meeting all the eligibility requirements, receiving a minimum passing mark, or having a high-scoring application doesn’t guarantee quota allotment because Hong Kong’s Advisory Committee still needs to consider socio-economic needs and other relevant factors.	**Required forms and documents for the QMAS Visa applicant are just the same as the ones under the ASMTP Visa (except Form ID990A). Applicant must accomplish Form ID(C)981 (Chinese Version) or Form ID(C)981 English Version)	**A job offer is not required for a QMAS Visa

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Visa – TTPS Visa is a visa scheme applicable for non-local professionals with rich work experience and good academic qualifications, including high-income talents/graduates from top universities worldwide.	• The applicant has received an employment offer in Hong Kong The applicant must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements: • Must have an annual income of HK$ 2.5 million or above (taxable employment/business income/profits from self-owned companies) or its equivalent in other currency, the year he/she submits an application • Degree graduate of an eligible university with at least a work experience of three years in the past five years directly preceding the date of visa application • Degree graduate of an eligible university with less than three years of work experience in the past five years directly preceding the date of visa application (still subject to an annual quota and not applicable for non-local students with an undergraduate qualification in a full-time and locally accredited program in Hong Kong)	**Required forms and documents for the TTPS Visa applicant are just the same as the ones under the GEP Visa (except Form ID990A) Additional requirement: • Documentary evidence/proof of the applicant’s annual income of HK$ 2.5 million or above or its equivalent in other currency, the year he/she submits an application	**Required forms and documents for the employing company are just the same as the ones under the GEP Visa (except Form ID990B)

Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) Visa – TechTAS Visa is applicable for non-local technology professionals who can take up research and development (R&D) work under eligible companies (companies are subject to quota allocation by the Innovation and Technology Commission/ITC).	• The applicant must not have any criminal records or adverse immigration records/security objections in Hong Kong or elsewhere • The employing company must have valid quota allocation approved by the ITC • The applicant must be a full-time employee in Hong Kong by the employing company • The applicant must be engaged in R&D work in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, green technology, data analytics, etc.) • The applicant must be a STEM degree-holder from recognized and top-ranked universities around the globe (ranking websites to refer to: Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, Times Higher Education, U.S. News and World Report)	**Required forms and documents for the TechTAS Visa applicant are just the same as the ones under the GEP Visa (except Form ID990A). Download Guidebook for TTPS to know other supporting documents required for online application.	• TechTas Application for Visa/Entry Permit • Quota allotment letter from ITC • Photocopy of the employing company’s employment contract/or letter of appointment to the applicant (must contain information about the job post, employment period, salary, and other extra compensation) • Business Registration Certificate (only required if the employing company isn’t listed on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) Visa – IANG Visa is for non-local graduates of a university in Hong Kong or joint Hong Kong-Mainland China campus in one of the Mainland cities (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area).	The applicant must meet one of the following eligibility requirements: • The applicant must be a non-local graduate with undergraduate/higher qualifications in a full-time and locally accredited program in Hong Kong • The applicant must be a non-local graduate with an undergraduate/higher qualification in a full-time program (the program must be offered by a joint Hong Kong-Mainland China campus in one of the Mainland cities (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area)	• Consent letter from the applicant’s current employer or relevant authorities in Mainland China (must be attached on page 10 of Form ID990A) (applies to Mainland residents only)Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any) • Photocopy of People’s Republic of China (PRC) Identity Card (if the applicant is a resident of Mainland China with no available travel document) • Photocopy of valid travel document with latest landing slip/arrival stamp/extension of stay label (if the applicant is currently staying in Hong Kong) • Official transcript of academic qualifications, graduation certificate /supporting letter from the institution as proof that the applicant’s attainment of undergraduate/higher qualification in a full-time program (program must be offered by a joint Hong Kong-Mainland China campus in one of the Mainland cities (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area)**Note that all IANG Visa applicants are required to submit their applications online.	• Photocopy of the employing company’s employment contract/or letter of appointment to the applicant (must contain information about the job post, employment period, salary, and other extra compensation) **Note that this requirement is for applicants that are non-recent graduates)

Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG) Visa – ASSG Visa is only offered to applicants who are second-generation of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents from overseas who plan to return to work in Hong Kong.	• The applicant should be second-generation of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents from overseas (must be born overseas and not in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao SAR, or Mainland China) • The applicant must be 18 to 40 years old upon application • The applicant must have a good educational background (normally an undergraduate degree in the relevant field, but in some circumstances, can also be documentary evidence of good technical qualifications and relevant professional experience, abilities, and achievements) • The applicant must be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Cantonese or Putonghua) or English (must have IELTS/TOEFL exam scores as proof) • The applicant must be able to support, provide, and accommodate themselves (and their dependents, if any) using his/her own financial sources without recourse to public funds/assistance during their stay in Hong Kong	• Photocopy of valid travel document with latest landing slip/arrival stamp/extension of stay label (if applicant is currently staying in Hong Kong) • Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any) • Documentary proof confirming the applicant’s relationship with their Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Resident parent/s • Valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card of the applicant’s parent/s • Copy of transcripts/records/proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience • Photocopy of proof of financial standing (savings accounts, bank statements, salary slips, etc.) **Download the Guidebook for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents to know other supporting documents required for online application.	**Required forms and documents for the employing company are just the same as the ones under the GEP Visa

How can I apply for a work visa in Hong Kong?

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on the work visa types and all the things you need to qualify, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how you can apply for a Hong Kong work visa.

Accept the employment offer.

In general, you can’t get a work visa in Hong Kong without a confirmed employment offer. That’s why it’s essential to have a job offer and accept it as soon as you and the employer have agreed on the details of your job, terms of employment, and remuneration package.

Accomplish all the required forms and prepare all the required documents for your Hong Kong work visa type.

Gathering and accomplishing all the required forms and documents for the work visa type you’re applying for can be confusing. We suggest you create a checklist of all the documents you need so you don’t forget one and submit your application on time.

Submit all the required forms and documents to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

In most cases, the applicant needs to send all the required forms and documents straight to the Hong Kong Immigration Department through the Chinese mission/embassy in their home countries. However, there are some employing companies that prefer applicants to hand over their applications and documents to them first, and then these companies will forward everything to the immigration department.

Nonetheless, here’s some information that you might need to successfully send your work visa application:

Mailing Address	Receipt and Despatch Sub-Unit, Hong Kong Immigration Department, 2/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Fax (Hong Kong Immigration Department)	(852) 2824 1133
Contact Information (Hong Kong Immigration Department)	General Inquiries Hotline: (852) 2824 6111 Email: [email protected]

Wait for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to review your application.

Once you’ve handed in all the forms and documents needed for your work visa, the immigration department will process and review it. The entire process can take around four to eight weeks after the submission date, so just sit back and wait patiently.

Receive the visa/entry permit label issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

When your work visa application is approved, the immigration department can send you your visa/entry permit label directly via courier. Just attach the label on your travel document’s blank visa page, and you’re done!

FAQs About Working Visa in Hong Kong

Is it hard to get a working visa in Hong Kong?

Getting a work visa in Hong Kong can be a long and tiring process, because as a non-local professional, you have to prepare documents and proof that will demonstrate the skills, knowledge, or experiences you have that can’t be done by a local.

How much is a Hong Kong work visa?

A work visa in Hong Kong costs HK$ 230.

How long does it take to get a work visa in Hong Kong?

In general, a Hong Kong work visa can be processed in around four to eight weeks after you submit all the required documents.

What are the common reasons why a Hong Kong work visa application gets rejected:

Here’s a list of the common reasons why a work visa in Hong Kong gets rejected:
• Applicant’s lack of special/unique skills/knowledge/experience
• Applicant’s inadequate academic qualifications or work experience
• Employing company’s inadequate remuneration package/benefits/compensation
• Applicant’s/Employing company’s breaches of immigration and/or other adverse track records
• Employing company’s unsatisfactory financial standing and record
• Applicant’s incorrect or incomplete supporting documents
• Health or security concerns

Can I convert a tourist visa to a work visa in Hong Kong?

Yes, it’s possible to change your Hong Kong tourist visa into a work visa. However, you must leave Hong Kong first and follow the application process to get a work visa. If your application is approved and you receive your work visa, you can then re-enter Hong Kong.

How long is a Hong Kong work visa valid?

The first issued Hong Kong work visa is generally valid for up to 24 months. Note that if you need to apply for a work visa extension, you must do it four weeks before your valid work visa expires.