All about Hong Kong Visas

Requirement of Hong Kong Visa application

You are required to obtain a Hong Kong visa before moving into the country either to live, work, or study. If you are an expat, you will have to move to Hong Kong on an employment visa. However, if your company is sponsoring or facilitating your move to Hong Kong, they will process everything on your behalf. If you are planning to obtain a visa independently then you will have to research the requirements and any limitations to obtaining a Hong Kong Visa.

The Hong Kong visa application into Hong Kong may be favorably considered for a visitor for whatever reason if:

• The applicant has no doubtful bona fides
• The applicant shows proof of adequate funds to cover their stay for the period requested without having to work in Hong Kong
• The final destination of the applicants should not be Mainland China or Macao

Hong Kong Student Visa

The Hong Kong student visa is for persons who are seeking to study in Hong Kong. When applying for the student visa, you will be required to provide your official documents that include the institution’s acceptance letter, evidence that you have enough funds to pay for your studies as well as cater for the cost of living in the country.

Hong Kong Training Visa

According to the immigration department of Hong Kong, the training visa allows those who use it to stay in Hong Kong for a brief period, usually not more than 12 months. The visa is granted to those who are coming to Hong Kong to acquire a skill or knowledge that is not available in the applicant’s country. The applicant should not have committed a serious crime. It can also be favorably considered if the applicant has an agreement with the sponsoring company that is well known for its training capability.

Business Visa

This type of visa allows potential investors to relocate to Hong Kong purposefully to conduct business. For you to be viable for the visa that grants entry to do business in Hong Kong, it is necessary that the business can positively contribute to the economy of Hong Kong. Besides, the ability of the company that you are intending to incorporate to create employment opportunities for the residents will be an added advantage when seeking an investment visa to Hong Kong.

You will have higher chances of being successful in the application if the company that you are about to start in Hong Kong offer services that the country enjoys clear advantages like:

• Innovation and technology
• Manufacturing industries
• Trading and logistics industry
• Tourism
• Financial services
• Professional services
• Transportation sector
• The cultural and creative industry

Who is eligible for the Business Visa?

• The applicant need not have any records of serious offense/crime
• The applicant must prove that he/she has a good educational background
• Proof that the company or business will have a positive contribution to the economy of Hong Kong.
• The company must be in existence.

Hong Kong Work Visa

If you are planning to move to Hong Kong purposefully for work then you will need a visa application under the General Employment Policy (GEP). For you to be viable for the work visa application, you will need to have a confirmed job offer. During the application for the work visa in Hong Kong, the immigration department will require you to submit a statement from your employer describing the job offer and position as they assess your application. Besides, they will assess your qualifications, professional skills, and experience to ensure that you will be positively contributing to the country and ascertain that there is no local person who can fill that vacancy.

Once the GEP approves your visa, you will be allowed to come to your spouse and dependents who are less than 18 years old. Besides, your spouse will be allowed to get a job in Hong Kong without having an extra work permit.

Employer Information

For the potential employers who are seeking to hire non-Hong Kong residents, it is your responsibility to ensure that your employees are lawfully employable. Further, the employer should note that even if the potential employee holds a valid Hong Kong identity cards then they are employable. Therefore, non-Hong Kong permanent identity holders still need to have a valid employment visa for Hong Kong for them to be able to work in Hong Kong.

Any employer who breaches the law by hiring illegal workers in Hong Kong may face up to 3 years of imprisonment and will be liable to pay a fine of up to HKD 350,000. Avoid the fines and penalties by working with Paul Hype Page services for your Hong Kong hiring services. We will not only provide you with the relevant information regarding the hiring process but also ensure that you hire qualified and lawfully employable persons in Hong Kong.

A Hong Kong employment visa is a special working permit that grants non-Hong Kong professionals to be legally viable to work in Hong Kong. Currently, there are several working visas or permits that are legally granted to professionals who are seeking to work in Hong Kong. The visas are issued by the government branch known as the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

If you are a foreigner who is already working in Hong Kong and intending to change to a new job to work with a new employer then you will be required to obtain a new employment visa.

Who is eligible for a Hong Kong employment visa?

The applicant of a Hong Kong working visa:

• Must not have any records of serious crimes or offenses
• Must not have had any security objection in the past
• Proof of educational qualifications including professional skills and knowledge
• Needs to have unique skills or expertise which is rare in the Hong Kong market
• Needs to have a valid contract or employment agreement.

However, you need to note that the eligibility may not only vary with time but also with the country of origin. Hence, you need to take personal initiative to inquire about the eligibility of your country and contract terms when applying for a Hong Kong employment visa to obtain all the relevant information about the Hong Kong visa.

Necessary documents when applying for a Hong Kong employment visa

You will need to present the following when applying for a Hong Kong working visa:

1. Application form: you need to submit an application form for entry as a professional
2. A recent passport photographs
3. You will need to attach proof of relevant work experience
4. Proof of overseeing residency
5. A photocopy of a valid travel document
6. A photocopy of Hong Kong/ Taiwan/ Macau identity card only if applicable
7. Educational qualification

There is a lot that revolves around the Hong Kong visa application process that you need to know. Further, certain countries are allowed into Hong Kong without necessarily applying for a visa. However, the stay period is limited and ranges from 7 to 80 days (about 6 months).