As a general rule, any person other than those with permanent residency status in Hong Kong must obtain a visa before they arrive in Hong Kong for education, taking up employment, training, investment or residence. Passports must be valid for at least six months when applying for any visa.

• For full details from Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the of the different types of visas, and to download application forms: Click here

Work Permits

There are various types of work permits issued.

Employment as a professional or entry for investment

An application for an entry visa/permit to enter Hong Kong for either work or investment will be considered more favourably if the following criteria are met:

• The applicant has no criminal record
• The applicant has good qualifications and/or professional experience
• The applicant already has an employment offer
• The employer is offering a package that includes income, accommodation, medical and other benefits on the same level as for professionals in Hong Kong

Other things taken into consideration include whether the vacancy can be filled locally, if the applicant's skills are relevant to the job, whether the applicant has any special skills and whether there is a genuine vacancy for the job in Hong Kong.

• For comprehensive information from the Immigration Department: Click here

If the application is successful the person may bring in their spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. When applying for the entry visa, passports and birth certificates will be required and spouses will need to provide a copy of their marriage certificate.

Self-employed people

Anyone applying for an investment visa for self-employment must provide documentation detailing the following:

• Educational background
• Professional qualifications
• The proposed business and capital
• Information about how the business will benefit Hong Kong and whether a local work force will be employed

Investment-based employment visas are becoming more difficult to obtain. The most important criteria includes proof that the business is well capitalised and will be able to set up office and employ local staff fairly immediately, and the support of another well-established business, whether local or overseas.

• For a list and information from teh Immigration Department on all the documents required to make an application: Click here 

Other work visas

A number of other work visas are available under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, Working Holiday Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.

• Full details of quotas and necessary documents are available from the Immigration Department: Click here

How to Apply for an Employment Visa

Applications are usually made by the company that is sponsoring the employee, although in some cases the employee needs to make the application themselves.

To submit an application, the applicant should complete the relevant form, attach a photograph and send it to the Hong Kong Immigration Department with the following:

• Photocopy of the sponsor's Hong Kong identity card
• Photocopies of the applicant's passport containing personal details, date of issue, date of expiry and details of any re-entry visa held
• One additional identical photograph of the applicant 

Where to apply

Visa applications can be sent directly or by the Hong Kong-based sponsor to:

• The Receipt and Despatch Unit
  Hong Kong Immigration Department
  At: 2/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

It may take between four and six weeks to process the employment visa. Visas are usually valid for one year and can be renewed for one, two or three years depending on the type of work contract.

Note: Employment visas can not be transferred from one job to another so anyone leaving a job must apply for another visa before starting a different job. If a sponsored employee leaves a company, the employer should notify the Immigration Department.

For more information, contact:

• The HKSAR Immigration Department
  Tel: 2824 6111
  Fax: 2877 7711
  Website

Further Information

• Hong Kong Labour Department (Offices of the Labour Relations Division)
  At: 12/F AXA Centre, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2717 1771
  Website
• The Inland Revenue Department
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Residency in Hong Kong
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Job Contracts in Hong Kong

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