Hong Kong SAR: New Fee Structure for Certain Visa Schemes Announced
February 26, 2025
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At a Glance
- Effective immediately, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has implemented a new two-tiered fee structure for visa applications submitted under the Specified Schemes program.
- Applicants under these schemes must pay both an application fee and a visa issuance fee upon submission. The costs vary depending on the duration of the approved visa.
- Applicants should prepare for the increased fees when applying for a visa under the Specified Schemes. Employers may need to reassess their budgeting and refine their application strategies to accommodate these changes effectively.
The situation
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has announced a new fee structure for visa applications under the Specified Schemes. Further information can be found here.
A closer look
- Fees. Effective immediately, all visa applicants applying under the Specified Schemes are subject to the following fees:
- Application fee (non-refundable): HKD 600
- Visa issuance fee:
- For a visa valid for more than 180 days: HKD 1,300
- For a visa valid for 180 days or less: HKD 600
These two fees must be paid upon submission of the application.
- Coverage. The Specified Schemes covered under this fee structure include:
- Top Talent Pass Scheme
- General Employment Policy
- Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates
- Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
- New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
- Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
- Technology Talent Admission Scheme
- Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme
- Fees depend on visa duration. The duration of the approved visa determines the visa issuance fee. This period is calculated based on either of the following:
- For an ordinary visa with a fixed period, the duration stated on the visa
- For a visa without a fixed period, the time between the visa issuance fee payment date and the last valid date of stay
- For visa extensions, the time between the end of the previous visa and the new expiry date
Impact
Applicants should prepare for the increased fees when applying for a visa under the Specified Schemes. Employers may need to reassess their budgeting and refine their application strategies to accommodate these changes effectively.
Background
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has implemented these changes to streamline the visa processing framework and ensure the sustainable administration of work- and investment-based visas. The introduction of the two-tiered fee structure aligns with efforts to enhance the system's transparency and efficiency.
Looking ahead
Future updates in Hong Kong’s immigration policies may include further refinement of eligibility criteria for the Specified Schemes, more digital transformation initiatives to facilitate visa processing, and additional reviews of fees and structures for other visa categories. We will continue to monitor and report on relevant developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
