Hong Kong SAR: Mandatory Online Applications for Certain Talent Admission Schemes Introduced

Mandatory electronic submission for:

• • • the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
    • the Technology Talent Admission Scheme;
    • the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); and
    • the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents.

• • Timing constraint. Renewal applicants will only be able to file applications four weeks from visa expiry.
  • Additional limitation. In addition, renewal applicants can only generate the relevant application form a maximum of four weeks before their visa expiry, further limiting preparation time and potentially leading to filings closer to the visa expiry date.
    
    • Fragomen is inquiring with ImmD about the possibility of early filing for certain affected renewal cases and will report on developments.

• • Affected renewal applicants lose the flexibility of filing in-person applications where urgent travel plans could be brought up to the immigration officers’ consideration.
  • Affected applicants must ensure that their renewal  application is fully prepared ahead of the visa expiry, so that the application forms can be generated as soon as the four-week window opens.
  • Visa holders in Hong Kong SAR must cease work upon visa expiry if their renewal application is not finalized beforehand and can only resume work once the renewal is approved.

• • Supplemental documents. Applicants will be required to upload supplementary documents and inquire about the status of their applications using the online system.
  • Payment and collection. Applicants will be required to pay for and collect their e-Visa through the electronic portal.

• • Applicants benefit from the convenience and accessibility of using the online system which allows applicants to submit, pay and inquire about their visas online instead of the current in-person process.
  • Applicants may benefit from faster processing times because of the streamlined online application process compared to having to submit documents, pay fees and collect approvals in-person.