Sep 2023

4 Realistically Achievable Visas | Live | Work | Establish A Business In Hong Kong | Employment Visa

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, Musing, VG Front Page / 1 response

Establish A Business In Hong Kong | Employment Visa | Can You Get One?

The employment visa under the General Employment Policy is detailed in this video …

Establish a business in Hong Kong and get yourself an employment visa? A few years ago, I was invited by the good guys at WYND to give a talk about the Hong Kong visas that are the most realistically achievable to live, work or establish a business in Hong Kong. So, if you’re a foreign national hoping to establish a business in Hong Kong, you may be wondering about the visa requirements. One of the options available to you is the regular employment visa IF your company is already ‘well established’.

Employment Visa?

The regular employment visa is designed for foreign nationals who have professional skills, knowledge, or experience that are not readily available in Hong Kong. To qualify for approval, you must meet a specific set of criteria as assessed by the Immigration Department. One of these is that your company must already be ‘well-established’

Well-Established?

This means that the company that you own:

Has been trading for at least 12 months.
Ideally profitably.
Is already an employer of Hong Kong locals.
Has suitable business premises.
Has sufficient funds to operate solvently.

Who Can Apply?

To be deemed a Professional for the purposes of this visa, the Immigration Department is looking for applicants who have a university degree and at least two years of post-graduation working experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

If you don’t have a university degree but have technical qualifications, then you must have at least five years of post-qualification working experience in similar roles.

For those who only have a high school education, the Immigration Department expects to see that you have at least ten years of post-secondary working experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity.

How To Get One?

To secure a regular employment visa if you’re ‘establishing a business’ you need to be at least a 50% shareholder in a well-established company registered Hong Kong company. You need an employment contract with your own enterprise with compensation broadly commensurate with market rates.

The Immigration Department will look into the company’s history, including its turnover, local staffing, and business operations, to ensure that it’s a bona fide sponsor.

If you successfully obtain a regular employment visa, you’ll receive a two-year stay limit. This visa only allows you to work for the business that has sponsored you, doing the specific work outlined in your contract.

These criteria can be adjusted depending on the actual circumstances of the application but generally stated a wholly new company cannot expect to secure an employment visa for one of the founding-owners. It’s the business investment visa as an entrepreneur which is the correct visa type to apply for as new companies are by definition not ‘well established’ and so the criteria for approval is to demonstrate that the new business can contribute substantially to the economy of Hong Kong in order to anticipate approval.

Can You Establish a Business on the Side?

If you are an out-and-out employee working for a third-party employer and want to establish a side business or do some freelancing, you may apply for permission from the Immigration Department. You must have written approval from your employer that they have no objection to your side endeavours.

Last Words …

Obtaining a regular employment visa CAN be a way to establish a successful business in Hong Kong. However, make sure to fulfil all the requirements and understand the limitations of the visa before starting your business.

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The Rest of the Series

1 – Introduction

2 – Policy

3 – Shenzhen Shuttle

4 – Just Visiting

5 – Working Holiday Visa

6 – Employment Visa

7 – Study-then-Work Visa

8 – Investment Visa

9 – Loved Ones

10 – Big Question Answered

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Sep 2023

4 Realistically Achievable Visas | Live | Work | Establish A Business In Hong Kong | Study-then-Work Visa

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Feature Article, Musing, Special Programmes, VG Front Page / No responses

Establish A Business In Hong Kong | Study-then-Work Visa | A Little-Known Approach

The Immigration Arrangements For Non-Local Graduates Could Be A Realistic Option If Your Circumstances Permit …

A few years ago, I was invited by the good guys at WYND to give a talk about the Hong Kong visas that are the most realistically achievable to live, work or establish a business in Hong Kong, all things considered.

The Visa

Learn about the visa that allows foreigners to establish a business in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates program. Eligible candidates with a degree from a Hong Kong University can get an automatic employment visa and work for any employer for 24 months after graduation.

A 2-Year Head Start

Are you planning to establish a business in Hong Kong, but worried about immigration issues? Hong Kong immigration offers the Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates program, allowing eligible foreign nationals to stay in the country without any immigration problems for 2 years immediately after graduation.

Who is Eligible?

If you are a graduate with a Bachelor’s or an advanced degree from a registered and recognized Hong Kong University, you can get a no-questions-asked visa. This employment visa allows you to work for any employer for 24 months after graduation, without having to prove anything. After 24 months, if you have a permanent job, you can take Immigration Department’s approval for a 3-year extension. What’s even better is that you can change your employer as often as you want without seeking the Immigration Department’s permission. However, you must show that you are gainfully employed again with a suitable and credible employer to get the extension. Such gainful employment can be within your own enterprise as long as you’re business is contributing substantially to the economy of Hong Kong.

How To Apply

The application process for the Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates program is simple. All you need to do is enrol in a master’s degree program in Hong Kong for a year. While studying, you cannot work. However, after you graduate and hold a master’s degree, you can get your ticket to ride the Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates initiative. This program is an excellent opportunity for those aged 21-22, fresh out of university, who may find it challenging to find a job or an internship. By taking advantage of this initiative, graduates can overcome the lack of work experience and are thus able establish a business in Hong Kong.

The Benefits

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates program offers numerous benefits to graduates looking to establish a business in Hong Kong. By participating in this visa, graduates can secure a no-questions-asked visa, which allows them to work for any employer for the first 24 months after graduation. This flexibility provides a great opportunity to gain practical experience and establish connections within the industry. Additionally, after the initial 24 months, if the graduate secures a permanent job, they can extend their IANG visa for three more years without any restrictions on changing employers. This flexibility allows individuals to explore different career opportunities and find the best fit for their professional growth.