Hong Kong Residence Permit Through Employment: Professional Advice and Common Mistakes

Working and living in Hong Kong attracts many foreigners due to the developed economy, high standards of living and the international status of the SAR. However, for legal work and long-term stay, a work visa is required, which subsequently opens the door to a permanent residence permit (PR). In this article, we explain in detail each step of the application, requirements and advice on obtaining a visa, as well as analyze common mistakes to avoid. 

Main types of work visas in Hong Kong 

Hong Kong offers several work visa programs depending on the applicant’s qualifications and professional experience. Each program has its own characteristics, and choosing the right one depends on income level, citizenship, education and a number of other factors. Familiarization with the main programs will help you understand which visa is best for you. Below are the main categories of work visas and their requirements. 

General Employment Policy (GEP) 

The program is designed for highly qualified and experienced professionals. GEP requires an offer from a Hong Kong company and allows for a stay of 36 months with the possibility of extension. The employer must provide evidence that the salary offered is in line with market standards, and the candidate has unique experience or knowledge that cannot be found in the local market. 

GEP has no quotas and is not tied to any sector. This entry procedure does not apply to: 

• Nationals of China residing on the mainland; and 
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of). 

Mainland China Specialist Visitor Program (ASMTP) 

ASMTP targets skilled workers from mainland China, supporting key industries important to Hong Kong’s economy. To obtain an ASMTP visa, you must demonstrate relevant work experience and qualifications required for a specific position. 

Quality Migrant Admissions Scheme (QMAS) 

QMAS operates on a points system that evaluates parameters such as education, professional experience and language skills. The program is designed for highly qualified specialists who can contribute to the development of Hong Kong. The advantage of QMAS is the ability to obtain a visa without being tied to a specific employer.. 

Immigration Agreements for Graduates (IANG) 

The IANG is designed for graduates of Hong Kong and global universities and allows them to begin their careers without prior work experience. The visa is issued for up to three years and is renewable. 

Top Talent Placement Program (TTPS) 

TTPS is aimed at highly skilled individuals and is divided into three categories: 

• Category A: Requires income of at least HK$2.5 million in the last year. 
• Category B: A degree from a top university and at least three years of work experience. 
• Category C: A degree from a top university and less than three years of work experience. Applicants in this category must take into account the limited annual quota. 

General requirements for obtaining a work visa under the GEP 

To obtain a work visa under the GEP you must: 

1. Have no problems with the law and safety. 
2. Have a higher education or high qualifications and experience. 
3. There must be a corresponding vacancy on the market. 
4. Pass the selection and receive a job offer that local specialists cannot satisfy. 
5. Have a salary and benefits at the level of market standards in Hong Kong. 
6. Have no problems with housing. Be able to easily pay for it from your salary or the employer must guarantee to provide it. 

Overseas Chinese nationals can apply if they have a permanent residence abroad or have lived there for at least one year prior to applying. “Overseas” refers to countries outside the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. 

Each application is assessed individually and the applicant must meet standard immigration requirements, such as holding a valid travel document and having a clean criminal record. 

GEP applicants can apply for entry for their spouses or partners if their marriage or partnership is officially recognized. Their stay will be the same as that of the sponsor. Extensions are possible if the conditions have not changed. Dependents can work or study in Hong Kong. Dependent children under 18 can also apply. 

This procedure does not apply to former Mainland Chinese residents in Macau and nationals of Afghanistan and North Korea. 

A common-law marriage can be recognized if it is officially registered and regulated by law. 

Applications take about four weeks to process after receiving all documents. Processing begins only after all necessary information has been provided. 

General Requirements for Obtaining a Work Visa under the Mainland Chinese Specialist Visitor Program (ASMTP) 

To obtain a work visa under the ASMTP program for specialists from mainland China, you must: 

1. Be a Mainland Chinese resident with unique skills that are needed in Hong Kong. 
2. Have no security issues or serious criminal record. 
3. Have a university degree in the required field or high qualifications and experience. 
4. Have a real vacancy and job offer that local specialists cannot fill. 
5. Receive a salary and benefits at the level of market standards in Hong Kong. 

The program has no quotas and is not limited by sectors. 

Applicants may also apply for entry for their spouses or partners, if their marriage or partnership is recognised. An application may also be made for dependent children under 18. To do this, you must: 

• Prove a genuine relationship with the dependent. 
• Have no recorded facts that would cause harm to the dependent. 
• Provide the dependent with housing and funds above the subsistence minimum. 

These rules do not apply to former residents of mainland China in Macau and nationals of Afghanistan and North Korea. 

Dependents may stay in Hong Kong for the same period as their sponsors and may work or study. Applications for extension of stay will be considered if the conditions have not changed. 

Applications take approximately four weeks to process once all documents have been received. Processing will only begin once all required information has been provided. 

General requirements for obtaining a work visa under the Quality Migrant Admissions Program (QMAS) 

This program is designed to attract highly skilled and talented people to enhance Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness. Applicants do not need to have a job offer in Hong Kong before applying for the program. Successful applicants may bring their spouses, civil partners, or married partners if their status is officially recognized by the local authorities. Dependent children under 18 years of age may also be brought if the applicant is able to provide for their maintenance and housing without government assistance. 

The program does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of). 

Selection under the QMAS program 

Step 1: Prerequisites 

Candidates must first meet a number of prerequisites before proceeding to the next stage of assessment. These are: 

• Applicant must be over 18 years of age 
• Have a valid passport for international travel 
• Have the ability to independently provide accommodation in Hong Kong 
• Prove that they have the financial means to live in Hong Kong 
• Have no legal problems 
• Have a university degree or proven experience and achievements 

Step 2: Assessment Paths 

After completing the prerequisites, candidates can choose one of two tests: 

• General test 
• Achievement-based test. 

The General Test has 12 criteria, while the Achievement Test has two. There is a cut-off score for the General Test, and candidates are advised to assess their chances before applying. 

General test criteria: 

Age 

1. Applicant must be 50 years of age or younger. 
2. Master’s or PhD degree from a recognized university. 
3. Master’s or PhD degree must be in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). 
4. Applicant must be bilingual, both spoken and written. 
5. Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory. 
6. At least five years of work experience at the graduate or professional level. 
7. At least three years of experience in multinational companies or reputable enterprises such as The Global 2000, Fortune Global 500, and Hurun China 500 companies. 
8. At least three years of experience in the fields of innovation and technology, finance, or international trade. 
9. At least two years of international work experience at the graduate or professional level. 
10. Must have annual income of HK$1 million or more, or equivalent in foreign currency, in the year prior to application. 
11. Own a business with annual profits of HK$5 million or more, or equivalent in foreign currency, in the year prior to application. 
12. Own a listed company. 

General Test Pass Threshold 

To successfully pass the General Test, applicants must achieve 6 out of 12 possible points. This threshold allows applicants to apply through the online system. We recommend that candidates pre-assess their data to ensure that they meet the threshold. Please note that the threshold is subject to change without notice. 

Merit-Based Test 

The program is also open to individuals with exceptional talents and skills who can demonstrate outstanding achievement. For them, there is a separate merit-based test, with high requirements. Candidates who meet at least one of the criteria will be selected for further assessment by a panel. Applications that do not meet the criteria will be rejected. 

The assessment criteria include: 

Having received awards for exceptional achievements, such as an Olympic medal, Nobel Prize or other national/international awards.Признание работы заявителя коллегами или значительный вклад в развитие своей области, подтвержденный, например, наградой за достижения всей жизни. 

Stage 3: Qualifying Events 

Selection exercises are held regularly. Applicants who meet the prerequisites and pass the score (for the General Test) or one of the criteria (for the Attainment Test) are considered. Not all applications that meet the conditions will be accepted. Applications that meet more criteria have a greater chance of success. 

The Director of Immigration may seek advice from an assessment committee chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare. The committee takes into account the needs of various sectors, the socio-economic needs of Hong Kong, and the background and qualifications of candidates. Selection is based on merit and individual circumstances. 

As processing of applications takes time, candidates may consider their applications pending until they receive notification of the result from the Immigration Department. 

Stage 4: Issuance of visa/entry permit 

Successful applicants will be issued a visa or entry permit in the form of an ‘e-Visa’ under the Hong Kong Residence Programme. 

General requirements for obtaining a work visa under the Immigrant Agreement for Graduates (IANG) program 

Applicants who are or have been overseas students (those who entered Hong Kong on a Student Visa or Entry Permit issued by the Director of Immigration) and have completed a full-time accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in Hong Kong may apply to stay or return and work in Hong Kong under the IANG programme. 

Also, graduates who have completed a full-time bachelor’s degree or higher in higher education institutions in the mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly established by universities on the mainland and Hong Kong may apply to come and work in Hong Kong under the IANG programme. 

The IANG programme has no quotas and is not restricted to certain sectors. It does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea. For nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam, the IANG only applies to those who: 

a) Has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher under an accredited full-time programme in Hong Kong funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC), except: 

• Self-financing programs; 
• Continuing and professional education programs; 
• Exchange or short-term training programs. 

b) Is a graduate of the GBA campus. 

Overseas Graduates 

These are students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or above from a full-time accredited program in Hong Kong. 

Recent Graduates are those who apply within six months of completing their studies (date stated on the certificate) and are considered recent graduates. They can apply to stay and work in Hong Kong without a job offer. They are granted a 24-month time-limited stay, subject to immigration requirements. If the results of their studies have not yet been received, they can apply for an extension of stay. A confirmation from the educational institution that they have completed their studies is sufficient for the application. 

Late Graduates: Those who apply more than six months after completing their studies are also considered recent graduates. However, they need a job offer to return to work in Hong Kong. Applications will be approved if the job is at the graduate level and the salary is in line with the market rate. 

GBA Campus Graduates 

These are students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in a full-time program in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly run by universities on the mainland and Hong Kong. 

Recent GBA Campus graduates are those who apply within six months of graduation and can apply for jobs in Hong Kong without a job offer. They are granted a 24-month stay with a time limit, subject to immigration requirements. A confirmation from the educational institution that they have completed their studies is sufficient to apply. 

Late Graduates – A job offer is required to work in Hong Kong. Applications will be approved if the job is at the graduate’s level and the salary is in line with the market rate. 

Family Members 

Applicants accepted under the IANG program can bring their spouse or civil partner and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age to Hong Kong. This is possible if their relationship is officially recognized by the local authorities in the place of marriage. Applicants will sponsor their dependents in Hong Kong. The application for entry of a dependent may be approved if the following conditions are met: 

• Proof of genuine relationship between the dependent and the sponsor. 
• No negative records regarding the dependent. 
• Ability of the sponsor to support the dependent at a level above the subsistence level and provide suitable accommodation in Hong Kong. 

This procedure does not apply to: 

• Former residents of Mainland China who have resided in Macau for less than seven years unless they have obtained residence under the Unilateral Permit Scheme. 
• Citizens of Afghanistan and North Korea. 

The duration of stay of dependants will be linked to that of their sponsors. Extension of stay is possible if the applicant continues to meet the criteria and the sponsor remains a Hong Kong resident. Dependents may work or study in Hong Kong in accordance with the current policy. 

Top Talent Placement Program (TTPS) 

The TTPS program aims to attract highly skilled professionals and graduates from leading universities around the world to work in Hong Kong. It does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea. 

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants are not required to have a job offer in Hong Kong when applying. They may be granted a stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C) with a time limit. Applications are accepted under the following categories:

• Category A: Individuals with an annual income of HK$2.5 million or more in the previous year.
• Category B: Graduates from recognized universities with at least three years of work experience in the past five years. 
• Category C: Graduates from recognized universities in the past five years with less than three years of work experience, subject to the availability of annual quota. An exception is made for overseas students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in Hong Kong. 

Application Conditions 

An application may be approved if: 

• There are no objections on security grounds and no serious criminal record. 
• An annual quota is available (for Category C). 

Successful applicants will be granted an initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C), with a time limit. 

Special Conditions for Chinese Nationals 

Chinese nationals holding PRC passports who reside overseas may apply if they: 

• Have a permanent residence abroad. 
• Have resided overseas for at least one year prior to applying and apply from overseas. 

Common factors in programs 

Regardless of the visa type, applicants must meet a number of requirements set by the Immigration Department to obtain a work permit in Hong Kong. Success in the application process depends on careful preparation of documents and compliance with the established rules. In this section, we will look at the key requirements that should be taken into account before submitting an application. 

Proof of qualifications 

• All applicants are required to provide certified copies of diplomas and certificates. Documents written in languages ​​other than English or Chinese must be translated and certified. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in visa refusal. 

Financial stability of the employer or the candidate 

• The employer or the candidate must prove their financial solvency. Under the TTPS, Category A requires an income of HK$2.5 million in the last year. 

10 Common Mistakes When Applying for a Work Visa in Hong Kong 

The work visa application process requires attention to detail, and even a small mistake can lead to a delay or refusal. Many applicants encounter difficulties due to an incomplete understanding of the requirements or missing documents. Most refusals occur due to common mistakes that can be avoided if you know about them in advance. 

We will look at the most common mistakes and give you tips on how to avoid them so that you can successfully complete the application process. 

1. Incorrectly completed or incomplete application form: 
   • Rushing to complete the form may result in errors and delays in processing. 
2. Not meeting the criteria set by the Immigration Department: 
   • Failure to meet the requirements for a specific visa type, such as no genuine job offer or documentary evidence of financial means. 
3. Providing misleading or false information: 
   • Providing incorrect information may result in visa refusal and entry into the country. 
4. Failure to provide sufficient documents: 
   • Lack of necessary supporting documents, such as proof of employment or financial support. 
5. Misunderstanding of visa requirements: 
   • Unawareness of the need for a visa for citizens of certain countries or the length of visa-free stay. 
6. Missing deadlines: 
   • The Immigration Department gives a certain period of time to provide missing documents. Missing this deadline may result in the closure of the case 
7. Errors in the business plan or its unrealisticness (for Entry for Investment): 
   • Lack of comprehensive details in the business plan. 
   • Insufficient information about capital investments and business funds. 
   • Unrealistic indicators or unsupported data. 
8. Incomplete information: 
   • Applicants do not provide all required information or do not realize that certain information is required. 
9. Mistakes in work visa sponsorship: 
   • Ignoring sponsor requirements. 
   • Unreliable financial condition of the sponsor-employer. 
10. Choosing the wrong moment: 
    • It is important to choose the right time to submit your application. If you are not ready, make a list of shortcomings and correct them before submitting.