Visa & Immigration Services
Marbury specialises in assisting global clients establish and conduct their business in Asia
Marbury specialises in assisting global clients establish and conduct their business in Asia
Work visas are required in most countries where you are not a resident before you can take up any form of work (including unpaid voluntary work). For visa requirements in Hong Kong, Marbury can help you navigate the application procedures with an expert team dedicated to visa processing.
We ensure professionalism, expertise and consultative advice when handling your case, boasting a 100% approval success rate. Marbury will assist you in processing and finalising the visa efficiently on your behalf.
The most commonly processed visas are listed below, but we can help with the full range of visa applications.
Visa Types
Hong Kong Employment Visa
To get your hands on a Hong Kong work visa, you must apply for an Employment visa before you arrive.
Learn MoreHong Kong Business Investor Visa
Wish to relocate to operate your own business in Hong Kong? This visa scheme is a work permit issued to entrepreneurs.
Read MoreHong Kong Dependent Visa
A relocation visa for the immediate family of a sponsor, find out more on how this scheme benefits your family.
Read MoreVisa Extension
Resources you can rely on to take away the frequent hassles of the Hong Kong visa extension process.
Read MoreHong Kong Employment Visa
Hong Kong is a unique cosmopolitan city where East meets West and old meets new. It is distinctive in terms of its well-established infrastructure, internationally recognised commercial and financial centre and close proximity to Mainland China that serves as a golden gateway for businesses.
Hong Kong is also favoured for its income tax reasons whereby, income that is not sourced in Hong Kong is not subject to tax in Hong Kong. In addition, there is no capital gains tax, estate tax, and sales tax either.
The personal income tax rate is between 0 and 17% on a progressive scale or 15% flat, whichever is lower.
The uniqueness of Hong Kong not only attracts foreigners coming for visits, but also attracts them to relocate, most of the time with their family members, to work and live in Hong Kong. Any person other than those having the right of residence or right to land in Hong Kong, must get an employment visa before coming to Hong Kong for the purpose of employment, investment, residence or training.
Hong Kong Employment Visas are further divided into: General Employment Policy (GEP) and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP). As a trusted visa agent, Marbury can help with information and individual advice.
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Foreigners who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong may apply to come to work under the GEP.
An application for a visa/entry permit to take up employment under the GEP may be favourably considered if:
- the applicant has a good education background, technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and relevant experience;
- there is a genuine job vacancy and a confirmed offer of employment;
- the vacancy cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and
- the remuneration package is commensurate with the prevailing market level.
Besides the merit of the applicant, the Immigration Department also assesses the sponsoring company on the basis of the substance and sustainability of the business and its benefits to Hong Kong in the long term such as enhancement of Hong Kong’s economic development and creation of job opportunities for the local workforce.
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)
Mainland Chinese citizens who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong may apply to come to work under the ASMTP.
An application for an entry permit to take up employment under the ASMTP may be favourably considered if:
- the applicant has a good education background, technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and relevant experience;
- there is a genuine job vacancy and a confirmed offer of employment;
- the vacancy cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and
- the remuneration package is commensurate with the prevailing market level.
Hong Kong Business Investor Visa
The Business Investor Visa scheme is for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to operate their own business in Hong Kong. It is essentially a type of work permit that is issued to the owner of a business as an employee of his/her Hong Kong Company.
One of the main criteria lies in whether the applicant is able to prove that the business will make a significant contribution to the economy of Hong Kong. The entrepreneur visa is generally issued for a two-year period initially and is then renewable thereafter as long as the business remains viable. The person is eligible to apply for Hong Kong permanent residence in due course.
Requirements
There is no minimum investment requirement.
However, at the time of processing the application, the authorities will closely examine the proposed business plan to assess if the proposed investment is sufficient to set up the business. In this regard, the applicant must ensure that the proposed investment covers the startup and operational expenses of the business for at least the initial 3 – 6 months period.
Hong Kong Dependent Visa
The spouse and children of persons admitted to work and reside in Hong Kong may apply for a Dependent Visa. A Dependent Visa is not subject to any conditions of stay and is normally granted for the same period the main visa holder is eligible to remain in Hong Kong. In support of a Dependent Visa, the sponsor, ie the main visa holder, may be required to provide proof of his/her financial capacity to support his/her spouse and children.
Hong Kong Dependent Visa Scheme
The Dependent Visa Scheme is essentially a relocation visa for the immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children below 18 years of age) of foreign nationals who hold a valid Hong Kong visa for employment, investment, training or study in Hong Kong or who are permanent residents in Hong Kong.
A Few Points To Note
- A separate application needs be filed for each family member and must be sponsored by the principal visa holder.
- The dependent’s length of stay in Hong Kong is tied to the sponsor’s length of stay. This means that the Dependent Visa holder can live, work and study in Hong Kong for the period during which the principal visa holder is permitted to stay in Hong Kong.
- Dependents of persons who have been admitted into Hong Kong to study are not permitted to work on their Dependent Visa and would need to apply for an Employment Visa before commencing employment.
Who can apply?
- Spouse
- Unmarried children below 18 years of age (including legally adopted)
Documents need to be submitted by the applicants:
- Completed Dependent Visa Application Form. For a child applicant under the age of 16, the form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian of the child.
- Dependents whose sponsors are applying for visas either for employment as a professional, for investment to join in/establish a business, for training or for studies, need not fill in the separate Dependent Visa Application Form. This is because the application forms for employment visas, investment visas, training visas and visas meant for studies have a built-in section for dependents and can be completed along with the sponsor’s principal application and submitted together.
- A copy of the personal particulars page of your passport. If you are currently staying in Hong Kong, a copy of your passport page containing the latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label in Hong Kong.
- A copy of your Hong Kong identity card (if any)
- A copy of proof of your relationship with the sponsor, eg marriage certificates, birth certificates, family photographs, family letters, census record book and Privilege Card for Single Child (if applicable).
Documents to be submitted by the sponsor:
- Part B of the Dependant Visa Application Form
- A copy of the sponsor’s Hong Kong identity card (if any)
- A copy of the personal particulars page of the sponsor’s passport. If the sponsor is currently staying in Hong Kong, a copy of the sponsor’s passport page containing the latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label in Hong Kong
- A copy of proof of the sponsor’s financial standing, eg bank statements, savings accounts passbooks, tax receipts and salary slips
- A copy of proof of sponsor’s accommodation, eg rental receipts
Note: In the case of built-in applications, where both the sponsor as well as the dependent are applying at the same time, it may not be possible for the sponsor (ie principal applicant) to furnish certain details like salary slips or rental receipts. In such cases, the principal applicant’s sponsor should provide affirmation by furnishing a copy of the principal applicant’s employment contract stating salary, benefits etc, or any other document that demonstrates the principal applicant’s ability to support his/her dependents.
All documents submitted must be in English or Chinese or translated into English or Chinese by a certified translation body. The Immigration authorities reserve the right to demand further documents from the applicant or sponsor as and when necessary.
Application procedure and timeline
- Both you and your sponsor must prepare and complete all the necessary documentation
- Once the application forms and supporting documents are ready they must be submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department
- If you are residing overseas, you can submit the documents in person to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country
- In the case of built-in applications, your sponsor can submit the application along with his principal visa application form – employment, investment, training or study (as the case may be).
- Once all the documents have been submitted, the processing of your Dependent Visa Application will on an average take around six weeks
- If your application has been successful, the Immigration Department will issue a Visa/Entry Permit label. Your sponsor can collect it in person on your behalf and then proceed to post it to you
- Upon receipt of the Visa/Entry Permit label, you must affix the same on a blank visa page of your passport. This must be presented to the Immigration Officer upon your arrival to Hong Kong
Hong Kong Visa Extension
In general, non-permanent residents may apply for an extension of stay and their visa in Hong Kong within 4 weeks before the limit of stay expires where the immigration status remains unchanged.
General Employment Policy Entrants (GEP)
Foreigners admitted as employees or business investors under the GEP in Hong Kong may apply for an extension of their visa and that of their dependents. Employees are required to provide a confirmation from their employer that they are still employed with them. For business investors, the documentation requirements usually include a review of the circumstances and progress of their business plan initially submitted.
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)
ASMTP applications for extension of stay will be considered only if the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria under the policy. Extension of stay, if approved, will normally follow a 3 years pattern.
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
Persons admitted under the IANG will normally be granted an initial stay of 12 months on time limitation only without other conditions of stay upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in Hong Kong within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. In order to apply for extension, non-local graduates are required to have secured an offer of employment which is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level.
Change of Sponsor
When a visa holder, whether GEP or ASMTP, changes employment and would like to work for a new employer, the approval of the Director of Immigration must be obtained prior to the commencement of a new employment. The conditions of stay allow only the employment by the sponsoring company approved by the Department. The application is generally similar to a new application.
The most commonly processed visas are listed above, but Marbury can help with the full range of visa applications and our process includes advising which visa options best suit your situation.
Want to know more? Simply fill in your details and leave a message. We’ll be in touch within the next business day to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you might have.