• Short-Term Visa Options
• Long-Term Work Permit Options
• Useful Links

Short-Term Visa Options

Business Visitors

Hong Kong has an extremely liberal visa policy and citizens of more than 170 countries are not required to obtain business visas for periods of stay up from seven (7) days up to six (6) months. U.S. citizens and EU nationals (excluding UK nationals) usually are granted ninety (90) day stays.

Business visitors traveling to Hong Kong are prohibited from engaging in work related activities without a work permit. This option is ideal for sightseeing or visiting family or friends and is often used by employees who wish to enter Hong Kong and remain for a short period of time to arrange housing, schooling and other details associated with their relocation.

Business visitors from countries that are not subject to the liberal visa policy may apply for a Hong Kong visa/ entry permit in several ways:

• Applications may be submitted to the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad; or
• Applications may be submitted directly to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Immigration Department by mail, local counsel or a sponsor.

Generally, the applicant must submit proof that they have sufficient funds at their disposal with which they can support themselves for the duration of their stay in Hong Kong. Additionally, they must show proof of employment, a copy of the Hong Kong Identity Card of their corporate sponsor, an invitation letter and flight itinerary. The visa takes about four (4) business days to process if submitted to a Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad and four (4) to six (6) weeks if the application requires transfer to the HKSAR Immigration Department. Once the visa is issued, the applicant must travel to Hong Kong before the expiry date on the visa label, generally three (3) months from the date of issue.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card

The APEC travel card allows citizens of member countries who travel frequently for business purposes between the APEC countries to receive fast track entry at Hong Kong international airports. APEC business travel card holders are cleared for entry into Hong Kong. APEC business travel cards are multiple entry cards that entitle the holders to visa free access for business purposes and allow them special access rights at airports. Citizens of the APEC member countries, must obtain the business travel card in their country of residence prior to entering Hong Kong as an APEC business visitor. The APEC business travel card usually takes about thirty days (30) to process and be issued and is valid for multiple entries into Hong Kong for a period up to three (3) years. For the latest information on APEC member countries please visit http://www.apec.org.

For more information on different types of visas to Hong Kong and specific individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com.

Long-Term Visa Options

Employment Visa

Individuals entering Hong Kong for the purposes of:

• Investment;
• Training; or
• Entry as a professional (new hire or intra-company transfer).

must obtain an employment visa. Entry visas for Hong Kong are specific to the employer and prior to commencing work for another employer, the employee must secure the consent of the HKSAR Immigration Department through an approved Change of Sponsorship application.

Employees may apply for a Hong Kong employment visa in several ways:

• Applications may be submitted to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate abroad in person or by a representative; or
• Applications may be submitted directly to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Immigration Department by mail, local counsel or a sponsor

The following documents must be submitted in support of the employment visa application:

1. An application form ID(E) 936, with relevant parts duly completed and signed;
2. A copy of the sponsor's Business Registration Certificate, Certificate of Incorporation and/or Memorandum of Incorporation and Articles of Association;
3. Financial standing of the sponsor/sponsor's company (income tax return, trading profit and loss account, profit tax return);
4. Company staff list with salary offered and position held as well as a list of expatriate staff previously or currently recruited from overseas;
5. A copy of the applicant's service contract or letter of appointment with details of post, salaries and benefits and a full description of the applicant's post;
6. Details, with proofs, of applicant's academic qualifications and experience relevant to the post, e.g. copies of diplomas, certificates and testimonials;
7. A letter, with supporting proof from the employer (if possible), stating the reason why the post cannot be filled locally. Also, if the applicant is to replace someone already working in Hong Kong, the personal particulars and his whereabouts (if known) should be given;
8. If the applicant is to fill a new post, an explanation of why his/her services are essential; and
9. Evidence of the applicant's past residence in Hong Kong (if any).

Employment visa applications generally take from four (4) to six (6) weeks to process be issued. They are valid for a period of one (1) year. They may be renewed in a 2-2-3 pattern.

Dependents

The employee’s immediate family members under the age of eighteen (18) are permitted to accompany the employee as dependents to Hong Kong. Hong Kong law does not recognize common law or same-sex domestic partners as spouses. However, the law grants extended visitor status in certain cases if there if proof of a genuine relationship between the heterosexual parties and the transferee has the financial means to support both parties. Hong Kong requires dependents to apply for permission to work (for both paid and unpaid positions) at the time that they submit their employment visa application. Individuals with extended visitor status are not permitted to engage in employment, start a business or engage in a formal course of study.

For more information on different types of visas to Hong Kong and specific individual entry requirements please contact the head of GT’s Global Outbound Immigration Group, Dawn Lurie at luried@gtlaw.com.

Useful Links

• Government of Hong Kong
• Immigration Department of Hong Kong
• Information on Visas to Hong Kong from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
• Asia Times Online
• South China Morning Post
• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Travel Handbook
• The Universal Currency Converter