| Business Residency Permit Requirements | All business persons wishing to enter Hong Kong, China for any type of employment or investment must obtain a visa/entry permit before entry. Intending temporary business persons at professional and managerial levels must possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong, China or be in a position to contribute substantially to the local economy. This policy is flexibly applied. Each application is considered on its merits. A visa holder may only conduct the business or employment for which his visa has been approved.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4_2.htm |
| Categories of Permits | Intending temporary business persons should apply for an employment visa or an investment visa as appropriate. Chinese residents of Mainland China and Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei should apply for an equivalent entry permit. |
| Arrangements for Intra Company Transfers and Specicalists | Streamlined procedures are adopted to process visa applications for intra-company transfer of executives and senior managers. The average processing time is 3 weeks. |
| Documentation Required | The following basic documents or information should be submitted:
- Completed application form
- One photograph
- Local sponsor
- Photocopy of the applicant's valid travel document showing personal particulars, nationality and dates of issue and expiry
In addition, the following documents must accompany an application for an employment visa:
- Name, address and telephone and fax numbers of the employer
- Copy of service contract or letter of appointment with details of post, salary and benefits
- Full job description
- Details of academic qualifications including supporting documents (diplomas, etc.)
- A letter from the employer explaining why the post cannot be filled locally
The following information must accompany an application for an investment visa:
- Description of the nature, size and financial undertakings of the proposed business
- Name, address and telephone and fax numbers of any partners in the business
- Number of local and expatriate employees
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| Method of Lodgement | For employment and investment visa applications other than from Chinese residents of Mainland China and Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei, the applicants may send their applications to the Hong Kong Immigration Department directly or through the sponsor in Hong Kong, China. Applicants may also submit their visa applications to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in their place of residence.
For Chinese residents of Mainland China, employment entry permit applications may be submitted through the local employer in person or by post directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei may apply for employment entry permits through an authorised airline office in Chinese Taipei. They may also send their applications to the Hong Kong Immigration Department through their sponsors (by post or in person) in Hong Kong, China. |
| Processing Time | The usual processing time is 4 weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents. |
| Length of Validity and Stay | An employment or investment visa is normally valid for 3 months and good for an initial stay of 12 months. |
| Application Fee | Applications submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department by post or through a local sponsor attract a fee of HK$160. Mailed applications should include a cashier order or bank draft in Hong Kong currency issued by a bank with a connected bank in Hong Kong, China and made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". Persons applying to a Chinese diplomatic and consular mission should consult the relevant mission for the fee. |
| Extension | Temporary business residents may apply to extend their stay. They should supply documents certifying that their employment circumstances remain unchanged. Applicants are not normally required to leave Hong Kong, China. If approved, an extension fee of HK$160 will be charged. Normal processing time is 2 to 3 weeks.
To further enhance the travel convenience of Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei working or residing in Hong Kong, China, a new Multiple Entry Permit was introduced. The permit allows the holder to re-enter Hong Kong, China anytime within the period of permitted stay and will facilitate endorsement for extension of stay. |
| Rules Relating to Accompanying Dependants | Dependent spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 may accompany the principal visa holder. They are normally permitted to stay for a period in line with that of the visa holder. |
| Review/Appeal Procedures | Applicants who have been refused a visa or entry permit may lodge objection to the decision with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. |
