Hong Kong Visas Made Easy

Proving Your Last Day of Work: Change Employment Visa Sponsorship in Hong Kong

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

 

If you’re looking to change employment visa sponsorship in Hong Kong, you might be wondering how to prove your last day of work for your previous employer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. In this post, I’ll guide you through the process and the necessary documentation required to get it done.

Release Letter For Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Applications?

When applying to change employment visa sponsorship, you’ll need to provide the Immigration Department with documentation that clearly states your last day of employment with your previous employer.

At the Hong Kong Visa Centre, we refer to this as the Bye Bye Letter. This can be in the form of:

• A termination letter
• A letter giving notice
• Any other document or email correspondence generated at the time the employment cessation date was notified between the parties

It’s important to note that you don’t need a so-called “Release Letter” from your current employer. The Immigration Department only needs the final date of employment to demarcate the old sponsorship arrangements from the proposed new sponsorship arrangements.

Other Things To Consider In Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Applications

Te following elaborates on the key points of the change of employer application process and the criteria in play for success.

First and foremost, in all applications under the General Employment Policy, including change employment visa sponsorship applications, applicants must have a strong educational background, typically a bachelor’s degree, along with at least two years of post-graduation experience in a managerial or supervisory role. In some cases, the Hong Kong Immigration Department may accept technical qualifications, proven professional abilities, and extensive relevant work experience instead of a formal university education.

This highlights the importance of showcasing the applicant’s skills, knowledge, and experience, which must be valuable and not readily available in Hong Kong.

Applicants must also be of good character, which means they should have no security objections or serious criminal record.

Furthermore, the compensation package offered to the applicant should be on par with market rates. Employers cannot offer lower salaries to foreign professionals compared to local employees for the same role.

The employing company must be deemed a suitable and credible sponsor by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. This means that the company should be well-established, have a properly set up office, and already employ Hong Kong locals. The company must demonstrate local recruitment efforts for the role in question unless the applicant’s salary exceeds HKD2 million per annum or their role is included on the Talent List published by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

If no local recruitment has been carried out, official declarations must be made on the sponsorship form ID990B, stating the reasons for the absence of local recruitment.

In the application process, various documents are required from both the employer and employee. However, if the company has had an employment visa approved by the Hong Kong Immigration Department within the last 24 months, the documentation needed for the employer is significantly reduced.

The change employment visa sponsorship application process typically takes between four and six weeks. Under no circumstances should the applicant begin their employment duties until the visa application has been approved. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Overall, the application process evaluates applicants based on a set of criteria, including their education and experience, genuine job vacancy, confirmed employment offer, job relevance, local workforce availability, and remuneration package.

Additional Resources When Undertaking Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Applications

For more information on the change of employment visa sponsorship process in Hong Kong and how to prove your last day of work to the Immigration Department, check out the following resources:

• Proving Last Day of Work for Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Application

• Compliance Obligations for Hong Kong Employment Visa Holders

• Change of Employer Visa Process

• Assessing Your Change of Employer Application

Even More Stuff To Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Arrangements

Plenty more here to help you along in your application:

Your Employer Must Help You Get Your Hong Kong Employment Visa

The 7 Things to Tell Your Employer About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

My Employment Visa Expires Before My Change Employment Visa Sponsorship Application Will Be Finalized – Help!

Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – The Reality for Entrepreneurs Masquerading As Employees

The 5 Key Factors Which Impact On Your Eligibility For A Hong Kong Employment Visa

 

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

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Hong Kong Employment Visa Processing Time

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, Musing, VG Front Page / 2 responses

When applying for a Hong Kong Employment Visa, it’s obviously helpful to know the typical processing time and what to do if your application takes longer than expected. The Hong Kong Immigration Department (“ImmD”) states that the normal processing time is 4 weeks, but there’s more to the story.

Actual Processing Time for Hong Kong Employment Visa

In reality, the 4-week processing time for a Hong Kong Employment Visa starts counting from the moment ImmD has all the information they need to give due consideration to the application in full. This means that the typical processing time is more like six to eight weeks.

Unfortunately, there is no ‘pay-a-fee’ option for expedited service.

However, if you haven’t heard anything after 6 weeks, it is reasonable to call or email the Immigration Officer detailed on your correspondence.

Processing A Hong Kong Employment Visa – Why Delays Occur

There are several reasons why some Hong Kong Employment Visas take a longer period of time to finalize by the Immigration Department. Some of these reasons include:

1. Incomplete or inaccurate application: If your application is missing any required documents or contains inaccurate information, ImmD may take additional time to request the necessary documents or clarifications, which can lead to delays in processing.
2. Complexity of the case: Some cases may be more complex than others, requiring additional time for ImmD to review and assess the application thoroughly. Factors such as the applicant’s background, the nature of the job, and the employer’s credentials can contribute to the complexity of the case.
3. High volume of applications: During certain periods, ImmD may experience a high volume of applications, which can lead to longer processing times. This is especially true during peak seasons or times of increased demand for Hong Kong Employment Visas.
4. Additional security checks: In some cases, ImmD may need to conduct additional security checks on the applicant, which can add to the processing time. This may be due to the applicant’s nationality, background, or other factors that warrant further investigation.
5. Communication issues: Delays can also occur due to communication issues between the applicant, the employer, and ImmD. If there is a need for additional information or clarification, any delay in communication can result in a longer processing time.

To minimize delays in the processing of your Hong Kong Employment Visa, make sure you submit a complete and accurate application, maintain clear communication with ImmD, and be prepared for the possibility of a longer processing time in certain circumstances.

Helpful Resources for Hong Kong Employment Visa Applicants

Over the last 14 years, I’ve been publishing high-quality, free resources to help you navigate the challenges associated with your Hong Kong Employment Visa application. Check out the following resources for more information:

• Hong Kong Employment Visa with Family: Overview

• Is 50 Days a Long Time to Process a Hong Kong Employment Visa Application?

• Managing Your Hong Kong Employment Visa Application

• Entry Employment with Family: Visa Application Guide

Even More Resources for Hong Kong Employment Visa Applicants

Your Employer Must Help You Get Your Hong Kong Employment Visa

The 7 Things to Tell Your Employer About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

My Employment Visa Expires Before My Change of Sponsorship Application Will Be Finalized – Help!

Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – The Reality for Entrepreneurs Masquerading As Employees

The 5 Key Factors Which Impact On Your Eligibility For A Hong Kong Employment Visa

 

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

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Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Application – Importance of Financial Projections

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

Applying for a Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa?

The Hong Kong Immigration Department requires applicants to provide a 2-year business plan that showcases the prospects of their business. In this post, we’ll delve into the essential elements of a strong business plan including a good set of financial projections – and how they can significantly impact your Hong Kong entrepreneur visa application.

Key Components of a Strong Plan & Financial Projections

A comprehensive business plan should include:

1. Two-year forecasts for turnover and profitability: This demonstrates your business’s potential for growth and success.
2. Job creation: Outline the number of local jobs you expect to create, the expected salaries, and the timeline for job creation.
3. Office setup costs: Include the cost of setting up a properly equipped office in Hong Kong.
4. Investment sum: Detail the amount you have already invested and the amount you plan to invest in the future.
5. Introduction of new technology and skills: Show how your business will contribute to Hong Kong’s economy by introducing new technology or skills.

Your business plan doesn’t need to be excessively long, but it should provide all the relevant information that speaks to your ability to contribute substantially to the economy of Hong Kong – and these days more widely to ‘the region’ (hint: GBA).

Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa – Focus Your Application Efforts

Craft a solid business plan: A well-thought-out business plan is essential for showing your potential to make a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s economy. Your plan should include an in-depth opportunity analysis, marketing and sales tactics, competitive analysis, operational plans, and financial projections for at least 2 years. Make sure your plan is realistic, feasible, and in line with current market conditions and industry trends in Hong Kong.

Prepare detailed financial projections: As part of your business plan, prepare financial projections that showcase your business’s potential to generate substantial revenue or other economic benefits for Hong Kong over 2 years. This may include profit and loss statements, cash flow forecasts, and balance sheets. Be ready to explain the assumptions and calculations behind these projections, as the Immigration Department may scrutinize them closely.

Showcase your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications: Highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications pertinent to your proposed business in Hong Kong. This may include your educational background, professional experience, industry certifications, and any previous entrepreneurial endeavours. Demonstrating your expertise and ability to manage and grow a successful business can significantly strengthen your application.

Provide evidence of sufficient funding: The Immigration Department will want to see proof that you have enough financial resources to support your business and yourself during the initial stages of operation. This will include bank statements, investment portfolios, and other financial documents. Ensure that the funds are readily available and can be transferred to Hong Kong as needed.Prepare a minumum of HKD1 million of you’re a non-resident applicant; HKD500,000 if you’re seeking to change over from an employment visa.

Of course, if your plan actually calls for more investment quantum than this, you will need to show you have that on hand or otherwise a well-prepared plan to secure it (in addition to your own  1 or 1/2 a million HKD being invested).

This will maximize your chances of obtaining a business investment visa as an entrepreneur in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa – An Accredited Start-Up?

Moreover, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has a special visa arrangement called the Start-up Visa to attract entrepreneurs, especially those with innovative ideas and businesses supported by a government-accredited program.

Under the Start-up Visa, if your start-up is supported by a recognized Hong Kong government-backed program, your chances of obtaining a visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP) may be significantly improved.

Some of these government-backed programs include:

(a) Cyberport Incubation Programme

(b) Design Incubation Programme

(c) Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s Incu-App, Incu-Bio, and Incu-Tech Programmes

(d) Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP) by the Innovation and Technology Commission

(e) Film Production Grant Scheme by Create Hong Kong

If your start-up is supported by one of these programs or another government-accredited organization, the Immigration Department will consider your application more favorably. Such endorsement increases your chances of obtaining the visa, as it demonstrates the potential of your business to make a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy.

While the Start-up Visa can provide a significant advantage, it is essential to note that you will still need to meet the other requirements of the General Employment Policy. This includes having a good educational background or relevant professional experience, a clear employment contract for yourself with terms matching the local market standards, and evidence of your ability to support yourself and your business without relying on public assistance.

Additional Resources for Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Applications

To learn more about the importance of financial projections and crafting a strong business plan for either of these visas, check out the following resources:

1. Importance of Financial Projections in a Hong Kong Business Investment Visa Application

2. A Detailed Business Plan for Your Hong Kong Investment Visa?

3. Hong Kong Visa Handbook – Startups And Getting Accredited

4. Hong Kong Visa Handbook – Business Investment (Entrepreneur) Visa

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

How Important Is A Good Set Of Financial Projections In A Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Application?

Is There A Minimum Number Of Days You Need To Be In Hong Kong In Order To Maintain Your Entrepreneur Visa?

Is There Such An Animal As An Employment Visa For An Independant Contractor In Hong Kong?

Business Investment (Entrepreneur(Visas) – A Leg-Up For Start-Ups In Hong Kong

How To Apply For A Hong Kong Business Investment (Entrepreneur) Visa – Without Any Professional Help!

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

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Do Immigration Consultants Add Any Value To The Hong Kong Visa Process?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Family Visas, Hadley Says…, Investment Visas, Long Stay & PR, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, VG Front Page, Visitor Visas / 11 responses

It’s a valid question. Do immigration consultants add any value to the Hong Kong visa process? As the programming of VisaGeeza.Ai draws to a close, ready to release to my website users, the whole exercise down the last 5 months has surfaced a significant body of content which is still as relevant today as it was when I first publihsed it.

Consequently I have been giving quite a bit of the ‘old stuff’ a fresh lick of paint and this is one such piece from our puppet character Hadley (Puppet? You need to be different to be remembered).

I believe this video below is more relevant today than ever especially as Ai is about to commoditize expert knowledge and know-how and permanently shift the value equation away from ‘what do you know’ but ‘how good are you at applying it’.

Do Immigration Consultants Add Any Value to the Hong Kong Visa Process?

Hadley has strong views about the value that Hong Kong immigration consultants add to the visa process in the HKSAR and in this short rant he sets them out for the world to know!

Well Then: Do Immigration Consultants Add Any Value To The Hong Kong Visa Process?

It’s been an interesting journey these last 3o years as we built up our content on Hong Kong immigration. We certainly changed the landscape of informed decision-making in our profession and with the advent of VisaGeeza.Ai waiting in the wings, it’s all set to change again.

The Real Question: Do Immigration Consultants Add Any Value To The Hong Kong Visa Process – With Ai?

Imagine this extensive content platform embedded into a deeply integrated Large Language model which you can interrogate, tweak and fine tune to your exact circumstances – all completely free of charge?

Watch this space! Won’t be long now.

More Stuff You May Find Interesting or Useful

How Can My FDH Visa-Holding Fiance Transition Into A Dependant Visa With 6-12 Months To Run Before We Get Married?

Why Do Some Hong Kong Visa Applications Take Months To Finalise (If Ever?)

The Economy At Home Is Very Bad – What Investment Visa Options Exist For You In Hong Kong?

Is The Travel Pass As Good As A Hong Kong Employment Visa?

The 7 Things to Tell Your Employer About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

 

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

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Hong Kong Employment Visa Extension: What to Do If You Lose Your Job And Time Is Running Out

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, VG Front Page, Your Question Answered / No responses

Hong Kong Employment Visa Extension? Losing your job can be a challenging experience, and if you’re working in Hong Kong, you might be wondering if it’s possible to get an interim employment visa extension while you continue looking for a new employer. With this question today, I’ll discuss the Immigration Department’s policy on Hong Kong employment visa extension and the options available in such a situation.

QUESTION

I’ve lost my job: can I get an interim Hong Kong employment visa extension while I continue looking for a new employer and sort my future out?

ANSWER

Can You Get an Interim Hong Kong Employment Visa Extension?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to secure an interim extension to your employment visa in these circumstances. The Hong Kong Immigration Department policy would be to give you a visitor visa when your employment visa expires, unless you have a suitable new job offer before your present visa expires and you submit a change of employer application before that date. Please also note the same inpact on accompanying family dependant visas.

What Happens If You Find a Job After Your Employment Visa Expires?

If you only receive a suitable job offer after your work visa expires and you have a visitor visa, you can then make an application to adjust your status from visitor visa through to employment visa once again. This is an entry employment visa application (with dependant visa again for the accompanying family). However, this is likely to break your continuity of ordinary residence if you intend to apply for right of abode (permanent residency) if you have lived in Hong Kong continuously for a full 7 years holding a residence visa (visitor visas usually don’t count).

Key Takeaways

1. It is not possible to get an interim Hong Kong employment visa extension if you lose your job and are still looking for a new employer.
2. The Immigration Department will issue you a visitor visa when your work visa expires, unless you find a new job and submit a change of work visa sponsorship application before your work visa expires.
3. Please note, the onus is on you to approach the Immigration Department if your employment visa is set to expire: nothing happens ‘automatically’.
4. Your family dependants visa will be impacted too
5. If you find a job after your work visa expires, you can apply to adjust your status from a visitor visa to an employment visa, but this may affect your eligibility for permanent residency.

Ending Note

In conclusion, it’s essential to be aware of the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s policies and procedures in case you lose your job. Children in school will need to stop attending and working spouses will no longer be lawfully employable whilst the whole family is on visitor status pending reacquisition of employment and dependant visas in the wake of a new employment.

More Stuff You May Find Useful Or Interesting

Can You Get an Interim Hong Kong Employment Visa Extension While You Continue Looking for a New Employer?

All About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

Change of Employer for A Hong Kong Employment Visa – All You Need to Know

Will Any Time You Spend in Hong Kong as a Visitor Count Towards the Magic 7 Years for the Right of Abode?

Hong Kong Employment Visas – A Complete Overview & All The Resources You Need To Apply

 

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Hong Kong Investment Visa – The 3 Legs of the Application Approvability Stool

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Feature Article, Investment Visas, Musing, VG Front Page / 10 responses

Hong Kong Investment Visa – The Approvability Test

I am often asked the question ‘can I freelance’ in Hong Kong or ‘what’s the minimum’ needed to anticipate an approval as an Entrepreneur for a Hong Kong investment visa.

This short video lays out how to corral your thinking if you wish to start your own business in Hong Kong and need the permission of ImmD to do so.

Additional Resources for Hong Kong Investment Visa Applications

To learn more about the importance of financial projections and crafting a strong business plan for either of these visas, check out the following resources:

1. Importance of Financial Projections in a Hong Kong Business Investment Visa Application

2. A Detailed Business Plan for Your Hong Kong Investment Visa?

3. Hong Kong Visa Handbook – Startups And Getting Accredited

4. Hong Kong Visa Handbook – Business Investment (Entrepreneur) Visa

Even More Resources for Hong Kong Investment Visa Applications

How Important Is A Good Set Of Financial Projections In A Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Application?

Is There A Minimum Number Of Days You Need To Be In Hong Kong In Order To Maintain Your Entrepreneur Visa?

Is There Such An Animal As An Employment Visa For An Independant Contractor In Hong Kong?

Business Investment (Entrepreneur(Visas) – A Leg-Up For Start-Ups In Hong Kong

How To Apply For A Hong Kong Business Investment (Entrepreneur) Visa – Without Any Professional Help!

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

All Our Know-How : All Our Experience : Fully Interactive

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All About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Musing, Sherpa / 4 responses

There is a great deal of confusion about Hong Kong employment visa sponsorship and this short video cuts through all the noise and sets it out definitively.

All About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

There is a great deal of confusion about Hong Kong employment visa sponsorship and this short video cuts through all the noise and sets it out definitively.

Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship Comes With 2 Privileges

Your employment visa comes with 2 privileges under Hong Kong immigration law. You get the privilege to work and the privilege to reside.

Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship – What Happens If You Quit Your Job For Any Reason?

If you stop working for the employer sponsoring your work visa, your privilege to work ends but your privilege to reside continues until your visa limit of stay expires. Upon the expiry of your visa, you are expected to leave. After leaving your employer you can reinstate your privilege to work again before your visa expires by making an application to change your employment visa sponsorship once you have a new job offer. Your privilege to work extends only to the work you do for your sponsoring employer and no other party, including yourself, paid or unpaid, part time, some time or full time. This means you can only work for your work visa sponsor and no other party.

Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship – What Happens If  I Want To Start My Own Business?

This video also speaks to changing your visa category to business investment as an entrepreneur in the event you wish to start a business of your own. In such a case here is the business investment visa test for approval.

Ending Note

The bottom line is that your ability to work lgeally is tied to your employment visa sponsorship if you possess an employment visa issued under the General Employment Policy. There are certain exceptions if you have earned HKD2 million or more in previous tax year and upgraded your status to Top Tier Stream, hold an IANG visa or have been admitted under the Top Talent Pass Scheme – all which have visa sponsorship playing a minor role in visa holder lawful employability.

More Stuff You Might Find Useful or Interesting

Your Employer Must Help You Get Your Hong Kong Employment Visa

The 7 Things to Tell Your Employer About Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsorship

My Employment Visa Expires Before My Change of Sponsorship Application Will Be Finalized – Help!

Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – The Reality for Entrepreneurs Masquerading As Employees

The 5 Key Factors Which Impact On Your Eligibility For A Hong Kong Employment Visa

 

Check Out VisaGeeza.Ai

All Our Know-How : All Our Experience : Fully Interactive

100% FREE!