HONG KONG WORK VISAS & WORK PERMITS
Though it is a part of China, the special administrative territory of Hong Kong has its own laws and employment restrictions. Because of its colonial past, Hong Kong has legal norms that are different from those in the rest of China. If you wish to hire people from outside the country, you’ll need to learn how the work visa system works.
The procedure of applying for and obtaining a Hong Kong work visa for your staff can be lengthy and difficult. Complying with the regulations and processes can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, which could put a damper on your expansion ambitions and cost you money.
For foreign companies looking to expand into Hong Kong, Primex’ global expansion specialists offer complete Hong Kong visa services, immigration guidance, and individualised support to get them up and running as soon as possible while maintaining all necessary regulatory compliance.
CRITERIA FOR OBTAINING A WORK VISA IN HONG KONG
There are a variety of work visas available in Hong Kong, each with its own set of requirements. A employment offer is typically required in order to obtain a work visa for Hong Kong, though this is not always the case. In most cases, candidates will also need to meet educational and experience requirements. It is crucial to understand which visa category best applies to each employee before beginning the application process.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF WORK VISAS
To work in Hong Kong, most foreigners need one of the following visas:
- Employment Visa
- Entrepreneurial Permits
- Skilled-based Visa
APPLICATION PROCESS
The steps involved in applying are as follows:
- receive a free consultation on applying for a work visa
- give the applicant and the sponsoring firm your honest assessment of their options and their chances of success.
- Have the applicant/sponsoring company sign the letter of engagement.
- Collect initial payment (deposit)
- Create a personalised application document checklist
- Finalize all immigration-related draughts, letters, and forms
- Double-check the gathered paperwork for proper formatting
- Create all letters to be sent to the Immigration Office
- Regular communication with the Immigration Service.
- Provide the applicant’s information to the Immigration Department;
- Don’t forget to pick up your visa label from the Immigration Office after your application has been approved.
- Get the visa to the applicant.
- Instruct applicants on how to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Signature pages from both the applicant and the sponsoring company on Visa Application Form ID(E) 990A; a copy of the applicant’s passport; a copy of the applicant’s service contract with the sponsoring employer; copies of the sponsoring employer’s articles of incorporation and financial documents; and a copy of the applicant’s passport.
TIME TO PROCESS:
From the time a visa application is submitted, it might take anywhere from four to eight weeks to be processed.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you’ve already gotten your visa, it’s good for another 24 months (sometimes less). The candidate can then apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card once their visa has been accepted.
When a work visa is about to expire, the applicant can request for an extension if he or she is still employed by the same company. A three-year extension is typically given under regular circumstances.
Even if the work visa has not yet expired, the applicant must submit a change of sponsorship application if he or she resigns from the current position and accepts a position with a different company.