Work Visa
in Hong Kong.

Start hiring in Hong Kong

Hire and pay talents
with Horizons in
180+ countries

[hiring_sidebar]

Types of work visas in Hong Kong

The main types of employment visas available in Hong Kong are:

The General Employment Policy visa – open to professionals, managers, and executives from outside Hong Kong who have been offered a job by a Hong Kong company that cannot be taken up by a Hong Kong resident.
The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) – open to Professionals from the Mainland who are interested to work in Hong Kong who have been offered a job by a Hong Kong company that cannot be taken up by a Hong Kong resident.

You can find out more about these types of visas on the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Required documents for a work visa in Hong Kong

The GEP visa is open to all foreign nationals who meet the minimum qualifications and requirements, which we’ll go over in more detail below. The ASMTP visa, on the other hand, is specifically designed for Mainland Chinese talents and professionals who meet certain criteria.

Required Documents

No matter which type of work visa you’re applying for, there are certain required documents that you’ll need to submit as part of your application. These include:

A completed application forms: ID 990A Application for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong (to be completed by the applicant) and ID 990B Application for Employing Professionals in Hong Kong (to be completed by the employing company)
A photocopy of the employees passport or travel document
A passport-sized photo
Proof of the employees qualifications
Proof of the employees employment offer
The application fee

Process to get a work visa in Hong Kong

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of Hong Kong

Employees based outside of Hong Kong will need to apply for a GEP visa, following the procedure outlined above.

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Hong Kong

The work visa process when the employee is based inside of Hong Kong is slightly different. The employer must first submit an application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, providing evidence of the candidate’s skills and qualifications. If the application is successful, the candidate will be issued with a work visa, which will allow them to live and work in Hong Kong for up to three years. The whole process can take several months, so it is important for employers to start the process as early as possible.

Hire borderless talent with Horizons

Hiring in Hong Kong, Made Easy

Your business can easily hire employees in Hong Kong without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.

FAQs

Can Hong Kong work visa holders bring their family members?

Yes, Hong Kong work visa holders can apply to bring their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 with them to Hong Kong.

How long will it take to get a work visa in Hong Kong?

The processing time for work visa applications is typically 2-3 months.

How long can I stay in Hong Kong on a work visa?

Most Hong Kong work permit visas are only initially valid for one year.

Can a global employer of record provide a work visa in Hong Kong?

No, a global employer of record cannot provide a work visa in Hong Kong. The employer must be based in Hong Kong and they must submit the application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

"As a seed-stage, London-based startup, we were initially hesitant to expand internationally due to the administrative workload involved. Horizons took the headache out of the process, allowing us to hire a team of software engineers in Germany."

Gabor SzedlakCo-founder & COO at MindLabs (UK)

"I truly appreciated the thoroughness and the professionalism of Horizons personnel while we hired internationally with them. They were knowledgable on all subject matters pertaining to international employment."

Gary PaskyVP Software Development, PICS ITech (USA)

"On deciding to begin commercial activities in Asia Pacific, we needed a provider to handle the employment and remuneration of our workforce. With Horizons the result was fast, efficient, and fit-for-purpose. We recommend Horizons as an EOR provider.”

Chris MorrellManaging Director, Schaeffler Group (Germany)

"The collaboration with the Horizons team is excellent. Both our local employee as well as our HQ in Germany are more than pleased with the support provided and the simplicity of the service. We can highly recommend the Horizons solution to anyone."

Christoph EngelbertCo-Founder & CTO, Clevabit (Germany)

"We needed an EOR that could provide expert support for payroll in APAC. We are pleased with Horizons’ expertise and the fact that they are flexible, responsive, and easily accessible from Belgium. They were able to provide services within the short timeline we required."

Katia FlamandHuman Resources, Devian Chemicals (Belgium)