Hong Kong work visa (GEP)

You need a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field; in special cases strong technical qualifications, proven professional ability or documented experience and achievements can be accepted instead. There must be a genuine vacancy that cannot readily be filled locally, a confirmed job offer relevant to your qualifications, and a remuneration package (salary, housing, medical and other benefits) broadly in line with market rates for professionals in Hong Kong.

You must have no security objection and no known record of serious crime. The GEP does not apply to Chinese residents of the Mainland, who use the ASMTP, or to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the DPRK. A separate, quota-limited Technical Professionals Stream (GEP(TP)) covers non-degree professionals aged 18 to 40 in specified skilled trades.

From you: a recent photo, your passport, a Hong Kong identity card if you have one and proof of your academic qualifications and work experience. From the employer: the employment contract or letter of appointment, the Business Registration Certificate, proof of financial standing, company background material and, for companies set up within the past 12 months, a business plan. Under the facilitation measures some company documents can be waived.

Diplomas, transcripts and reference letters not in English or Chinese must be accompanied by certified English or Chinese translations. Making a false statement is a criminal offence.

The GEP is a specified scheme. Each applicant, including each dependant, pays a non-refundable application fee of HK$600 when applying. After approval a visa issuance fee is payable: HK$1,300 if the permitted stay is more than 180 days, or HK$600 if it is 180 days or less. Payment can be made by credit card, PPS, FPS or Mainland e-wallets, and the e-Visa can then be downloaded or printed.

The applicant, any accompanying dependants and the employer submit the application online through GovHK, upload all documents and pay the fee. ImmD normally decides about four weeks after everything has been received. Approval is discretionary: the Director of Immigration may refuse an application even if the criteria appear to be met.

The first stay is up to 36 months, or the contract period if shorter, on the condition that you work for the approved employer. Extensions follow a 3-2 year pattern on the same employment condition. After at least two years under the GEP, holders whose assessable income for salaries tax was at least HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment can receive a five-year extension on time limitation only, without the employment condition.

Apply for an extension within the three months before your stay expires and at least six weeks before; processing takes about two to three weeks. You must leave Hong Kong when your stay expires, even if the extension is still pending, unless the Director approves otherwise. Because the stay is tied to the approved post, contact ImmD before any change of employer.

Your spouse or registered same-sex or opposite-sex partner and unmarried children under 18 can come as dependants if the relationship is genuine and you can support them well above subsistence level with suitable accommodation. Their stay is normally linked to yours, and they are not prohibited from working or studying in Hong Kong.