Hong Kong SAR: Relaxed Rules for Visa Schemes and Continued Online Filing
December 13, 2022
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At a Glance
The Hong Kong Immigration Department (HKID) announced the following immigration rule updates:
- Certain new applicants under the General Employment Policy Scheme and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals and renewal applicants under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme are no longer required to provide proof of labor market testing and academic qualification/work experience; and
- Eligible applicants abroad can continue filing online extension of stay applications until June 30, 2023.
Eligible applicants will benefit from streamlined documentary requirements and application processes which may lead to faster lead times during document gathering and application filing stages.
The situation
New applicants under the General Employment Policy (GEP), Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (AMTP) schemes and renewal applicants under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) schemes benefit from several key relaxed rules for their applications.
A closer look
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- Continuation of remote extension of stay applications. The remote filing arrangements for applicants outside of Hong Kong SAR seeking to extend their stay has been extended until June 30, 2023. Before the implementation of the measures (which were due to expire on December 31, 2022), applicants had to be physically present in Hong Kong SAR both at the time of application and the collection of the ‘e-Visa’.
Impact
- Streamlined process. Eligible sponsoring companies and foreign nationals will benefit from relaxed administrative requirements, which may lead to faster lead times when completing applications.
- Online applications. Eligible applicants for the Extension of Stay benefit from being able to file applications while outside of Hong Kong SAR, where applicants were previously required to make a designated trip to Hong Kong SAR to file an Extension of Stay application.
Background
- Boosting the economic recovery. The new rules are in line with the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s 2022 policy address, which included several key immigration initiatives to attract and retain top talent to Hong Kong SAR with the aim of boosting Hong Kong SAR’s economic recovery.
- Continued introduction of electronic services. Hong Kong SAR continues its staged approach to introduce electronic services for immigration applications, which saw the implementation of ‘e-Visa’ arrangements, allowed for online payments of fees and the removal of the need for physical labels for entry visa/permit and Extensions of Stay.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the HKID will introduce further beneficial immigration rules, such as longer durations of stay for visas, as well as the creation of new immigration schemes for top international talent in line with the Chief Executive’s 2022 policy address. Although no specific implementation dates have been announced for measures mentioned in the policy address, Fragomen expects that further details will be announced over the coming months. Fragomen will continue to monitor for further developments and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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].
