Hong Kong Visas Made Easy

Do You Really Need to Set Up Your Own Office if You Have a Hong Kong Investment Visa?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

Once you have persuaded the Hong Kong Immigration Department of your ability to make a substantial contribution to the economy of Hong Kong and have been granted an investment visa, can you then argue, after the fact, that actually, you have no practical need to establish office premises of your own after all?

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy:

The historical tolerance discussed in this post—allowing early-stage founders to leverage serviced business centres, hot desks, virtual registered offices, or flexible co-working spaces—has been completely rescinded. Under the hardened assessment rules, ImmD strictly requires dedicated physical commercial substance, colloquially termed “four walls,” with exclusive physical possession. Case officers now routinely issue detailed questionnaires demanding executed commercial lease agreements, architectural floor plans, exterior/interior photo documentation showing corporate signage, and utility bills under the corporate name. Operating from shared memberships or serviced suites is now treated by adjudicators as prima facie evidence of an under-capitalized, asset-light venture lacking genuine local commitment.

QUESTION

I started a business and got a Hong Kong investment visa 2 years ago. During that period, I have worked as an independent consultant for the same financial services company. I work full time on-site at this office. I have not had my own office during this period.

I have reapplied for a Hong Kong investment visa successfully twice, and each time Immigration only granted me a one-year visa, each time subjecting me to business review the following year (including this year). They warned me I need to better prove I am contributing to the local economy, by having my own office and hiring local employees.

My question is this – do I really need to rent an office? I will actually never use the office, so for me, it would be a waste of money. Or, instead of getting my own office, would you suggest I share an office, find a cheap service office, or even get a virtual office?

My friends who also own businesses in Hong Kong say I shouldn’t worry about getting an office. I am highly skilled, and Hong Kong needs people with my skills. I also have plenty of cash in my business account.

I can also get strong referral letters, including one from my main client, who will describe how I provide necessary ‘independent’ analyst for them.

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

How extensive should my business plan be in order to get a Hong Kong investment visa?

Do you have a business plan template I can use in my Hong Kong investment visa application?

How to ensure you’re not breaking the law by operating a business in Hong Kong as a Visitor

Are there any advantages to being an existing Hong  Kong resident when you make an application for an investment visa?

Why do Hong Kong investment visas get denied?

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

The Ongoing Indian QMAS Visa Agency Scam, Rip Off, Fraud

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Feature Article, Special Programmes, VG Front Page, Your Question Answered / 1 response

How the Content Must Now Be Read in Light of the Updated QMAS (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme) Policy

In the hard-hitting consumer advisory and investigative exposé published in The Ongoing Indian QMAS Visa Agency Scam, Rip Off, Fraud, the core analysis dismantles the predatory tactics deployed by rogue overseas immigration agencies operating primarily across the Indian subcontinent. According to the Hong Kong Visa Geeza, Stephen Barnes, these unlicensed intermediaries systematically exploited the public’s lack of familiarity with Hong Kong immigration law by manufacturing entirely fictitious employment promises—such as guaranteed government teaching appointments, subsidized family housing, and automated residence visas—in exchange for heavy upfront consulting fees. The historical problem was exacerbated by the legacy General Points Test, where agencies used the ambiguous 80-point pass threshold on a 225/245-point self-assessed scale to trick candidates with basic academic or vocational qualifications into believing they possessed a guaranteed legal entitlement to a visa. Barnes exposed these schemes as outright deception, reminding prospective migrants that the Immigration Department operates no state-sponsored job placement apparatus, authorizes no foreign brokers, and subjects every application to unsparing administrative discretion where non-extraordinary profiles are routinely discarded.

That vital warning must now be interpreted through the definitive legal realities detailed in our PRACTICE UPDATE: The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Definitively Stated 2026-27 by Stephen D Barnes, which documents the permanent retirement of the legacy points calculation following the sweeping ministerial overhaul of late 2024. As stated by the Hong Kong Visa Geeza, Stephen Barnes, the transition to 12 objective, verifiable assessment criteria has effectively eradicated the opaque scoring grey zones that predatory agents previously weaponized. To even enter the consideration pool today, an applicant must satisfy at least 6 binary criteria—such as holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree in STEM, graduating from a global top-100 university, earning an audited annual income exceeding HK$1,000,000, or commanding verified senior corporate experience at a listed multinational enterprise. Under the modern digital submission and e-Visa verification framework, unqualified applicants can no longer be misled by false scoring formulas, nor can they bypass the stringent Year 3 settlement and local tax generation hurdles required to maintain lawful residence in the HKSAR.

 

 

The Ongoing Indian QMAS Visa Agency scam, rip off, fraud has been going on for so long now that it’s time I produced an answer to this question finally.  I have literally received dozens of these types of questions in the last 2-3 years that I will deal with it definitively now. So here we go…

QUESTION

Dear Visa Geeza,

I have recently got a call from an immigration consultant stating that there is a need of teachers in Hong Kong in the government schools. They have asked for 47,200/- INR. They has said that interviews will be arranged by them after I get the visa. Visa process will take approx. 2-3 months. If I am selected I will get an accommodation. This will be a family visa. Salary will be approximately 30,000 HKD. I have to show good funds in my bank account for visa process. If I do not get a job through them them my money will be refunded. I want to know the genuineness of this

Thanks. Awaiting your reply. 

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

Are there any advantages to being an existing resident of Hong Kong when making an application for an investment visa?

Newcomers guide to getting a Hong Kong employment visa (Infographic)

Can I employ myself by getting a Hong Kong investment visa?

Sometimes large employers experience Hong Kong employment visa application refusals – why might this be so?

The merits of applying for the Reconsideration of a refused Hong Kong visa application

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

What Does the Hong Kong Training Visa Actually Allow and What Do the Immigration Department Expect of the Parties to the Application?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / 8 responses

The Hong Kong training visa is an oft-misunderstood animal so I am grateful for this question that allows me to clear up some of the confusion.

QUESTION

Hi, congrats on the website, it’s very helpful!

I just arrived in Hong Kong and my new potential employer is worried about the following:

(a) That if I finish my 3 month training visa and then just go back home for 2 or 3 weeks but then come back to Hong Kong and look for another job (while on a visitor entry – German passport) then this will reflect badly on his firm’s chances of being granted work visas in the future.

(b) What do the Hong Kong Immigration Department mean by “going back”. Is it OK if I physically go away for a couple of weeks but then come back as a Visitor or on another work/trainee visa?

(c)  Lastly (and separate from the topic above), my new potential employer doesn’t know whether giving me a work visa for 3 months only will be accepted by the Immigration Department if he pays me a minimum amount (e.g HKD 5,000 per month). Is there a minimum at which the Immigration Department would raise some eyebrows? 

Thanks for your help!

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

Hong Kong working visas – is it possible to build a new business here relying solely on highly specialist foreign national skills and talent?

Can a Hong Kong training visa be used as a stepping stone to any sort of  full employment visa subsequently?

Is 7 weeks a long time for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to finalize a training visa application?

Is it ever possible to extend a Hong Kong training visa?

What are the chances of swapping from a training visa to an employment visa for the same employer once the period of training is over?

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

Fresh Graduates, Working Holiday Visas & the Chances of a Hong Kong Employment Visa Subsequently

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, Your Question Answered / 4 responses

Chances of a Hong Kong employment visa? Is it feasible to come to Hong Kong on a working holiday visa and then swap to an employment visa subsequently?

Yes but…

QUESTION

Hi. I would like to go work in Hong Kong (I am Australian and have just finished my business degree).

Just wondering if I should arrive in Hong Kong with a 90 day visitor visa or a 1 year working holiday visa to start my job hunt.

I’ve tried searching online with no luck so far.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to work and live in Hong Kong and eventually attain PR as I really like the culture and environment there.

Thank you! 

More Stuff  You May Find Useful or Interesting

Can you undertake freelance work or start your own business on a Hong Kong working holiday visa?

Eligibility criteria for the Hong Kong working holiday visa

I want to live in Hong Kong with my boyfriend – is the working holiday visa a good option?

Hong Kong Travel Pass used to keep an extended family together – quite lawfully!

Hong Kong visa information, help and guidance on your mobile – 100% free!

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

Which is Better – Apply for a Hong Kong Investment Visa Directly or for an Employment Visa First then after Approval Become a Shareholder in Your Own Business?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

It hardly matters how you skin this cat, ImmD will approach it in exactly the same way… as a new business situation.

 

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy:

Historically, this strategic dilemma examined whether an aspiring business owner should apply directly for an investment as entrepreneur visa or secure an ordinary employment visa first and acquire corporate equity later down the line. The Geeza historically recognized the employment-first approach as a pragmatic backdoor or tactical staging ground: entering Hong Kong under the lighter compliance threshold of an employee allowed an individual to secure residence, build commercial traction, and later acquire shareholding without immediate friction. When the time eventually came to regularize status or renew, ImmD treated the transition with administrative leniency, allowing established residents to transition from employee to business owner iteratively, often accepting lean balance sheets, modest working capital, and shared office premises if the venture demonstrated good faith commercial activity.

The game has changed from a clever sequencing tactic into an unforgiving regulatory trap. ImmD now polices the boundary between employment and business ownership with strict institutional rigor. Attempting to enter as an employee only to acquire substantial shareholding immediately triggers a change-of-status audit governed by TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale). An applicant cannot bypass entrepreneur standards through phased corporate restructuring; the moment equity ownership or operational control is detected, the corporate sponsor is audited as an entrepreneur vehicle. If the business cannot substantiate HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity, an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”), and active MPF payroll for 2–3 local permanent residents, the filing faces swift and summary refusal, jeopardizing the applicant’s existing residence permissions entirely.

QUESTION

I plan to start a business with three other partners. Two of these are Hong Kong permanent residents and one of them is in the same situation as myself: recently unemployed and staying on an employee work visa.

My question is, as far as maximizing the chances of getting and retaining a visa to work in Hong Kong, would it be beneficial to apply as employees and wait until visas are granted before becoming partners in the company, or to run them as Hong Kong investment visa applications?

I have taken into consideration that:

1. I trust my permanent resident partners, and

2. Both myself and my colleague likely have better cases for employee work visa renewals (i.e. unique skill sets and experience and not a lot of cash).

Thank you very much for your help in these regards.

More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting

The seven responsibilities of a Hong Kong employment visa sponsor

Business Review – the sword of damocles for successful Hong Kong investment visa applicants

The anatomy of a ‘slam dunk’ Hong Kong investment visa approval taking just 7 weeks to approval

Do you have a business plan template I can use in my Hong Kong investment visa application?

How to ensure you’re not breaking the law by operating a business in Hong Kong as a Visitor

Are there any advantages to being an existing Hong  Kong resident when you make an application for a Hong Kong investment visa?

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

Hong Kong Employment Visa Holder – Join in a Side Business or Change Visa Category to a Full Investment Visa – Which is Better?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / 2 responses

 This question raises quite a number of issues surrounding a decision to go into business for yourself in Hong Kong whilst presently holding an employment visa sponsored by a third party employer (and it’s only the immigration parts which I am qualified to address).

 

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy:

Historically, this comparative guide addressed whether an employment visa holder looking to build a venture should simply seek ImmD permission to “join in a side business” or formally change visa category into a full investment as entrepreneur visa. The Geeza framed joining in a side business as the far safer, tactical starting point: it preserved the stability of an existing employment visa, required only the primary employer’s consent, and operated under a relaxed, discretionary review where lean consultancies with minimal capital and no staff routinely gained approval. In contrast, migrating completely to an entrepreneur visa meant severing employment security, entering an intensive administrative review, and fully shoulder-to-wheel justifying the business, though it historically remained achievable for bootstrapped founders with modest capital, serviced office space, and phased hiring plans.

The game has changed from a tactical balancing of convenience into an absolute chasm of compliance risk. Migrating into a full investment as entrepreneur visa now triggers a severe corporate audit anchored to TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale). If an applicant cuts ties with their primary employer to pursue this path, the new venture cannot rely on gradual progress: it must immediately show HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity, an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”), and active MPF payroll for 2–3 local permanent residents, or face instant refusal and loss of status. Meanwhile, while joining in a side business remains an option to explore, the post-April 2026 climate means ImmD scrutiny is tightening across the board; attempting a full status change without heavy institutional backing or admission into an accredited government incubator is no longer a viable leap.

QUESTION

Hello Stephen,

I have an employment visa for the remaining two years (post which I will complete 7 years and apply for PR).

Currently, I wish to open a company in Hong Kong, which may or may not be the sponsor to my own visa, as I am happy to retain the current employment or give it up.

My current employer is flexible and has no conflict no matter what way I choose.

For my own company setup, can you please inform:

(1) Is there a way to work for both companies without having to go through ‘Change of sponsorship‘ or ‘Investment visa‘ process. I prefer to be on the employment visa by my current employer while still being able to contribute to my own company.

(2) In case if above is not workable and I cannot work for my own company, is a proprietorship structure fine if I need an entity to book revenues resulting from my own business activities? Can such a company have offshore/zero employees except for a company secretary?

(3) In case, I choose a limited liability company and seek a change of sponsorship of my employment visa under my new company, can they reduce my existing visa to 1 year (from 2 years which is the case now), if the new company is subject to a Business Review. Have such cases happened?

(4) Given that I have no visa concerns or conflict/flexibility concerns regarding my current employer,  would you recommend a Hong Kong incorporated company or a BVI company for basic revenue booking needs?

More Stuff You May Find Interesting or Useful

How can I go from being a sponsored Hong Kong employment visa holder to working in my own business as I wait out the 7 years to permanent residency here?

Business investment visas – a leg up for start-ups in Hong Kong

Hong Kong immigration advice for free – why a counter intuitive business model is proving so successful

The immigration issues associated with starting a business in Hong Kong

Are such facilities as virtual offices, incubators, serviced offices & co-working spaces deemed ‘suitable business premises’ for the purposes of a Hong Kong business investment visa application?

PODCAST ANSWER

Podcast: Play in new window

Please Help Me Help You By Asking Hong Kong Immigration Questions I Can Actually Answer!

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Family Visas, Investment Visas, Long Stay & PR, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, Visitor Visas, Your Question Answered / 56 responses

IMPORTANT: Please note that we have no competency in Foreign Domestic Helper visas. Any such questions are best directed at an FDH agency who have significant experience in those types of visas.

I receive 70-100 questions a week on this Blog and most of these are very succinct, allowing me to quickly drill down on the key issues and deliver value by augmenting the extensive content on both this Blog and also our D-I-Y immigration guide, the Hong Kong Visa Handbook.

But sometimes, I receive questions that just leave me stumped.

Not that I don’t have an answer, it’s just that the questions are so broad, all-encompassing and devoid of meaningful detail that it is impossible for me to address them without spending hours setting the scene, working to assumptions and, most critically, covering ground that is already well traveled elsewhere on our websites.

Questions such as these which came in last week:

I m interested for HK immigration.  I have been living in Zhuhai for last 10+ years. I’m Indian , wife is Chinese, son 7 years Chinese passport and daughter 10 months HK passport.  My education is from India – BBA, MBA , PhD ( doctorate ). Kindly send me detailed policies, procedures, your fee structure to obtain HK resident permit. Good day.

and

I have got some questions regarding Immigration. I am based in UK on Student visa, I arrived here in 2010 and completed my Masters in Marketing & Innovation. I have got 7 years professional experience in Airlines Industry as sales / Marketing / Customer services expert and currently working with the leading Airlines in London,UK. I got married and my wife is graduated in Education as well as in Fashion designing. I have been visited around 14 countries for visit as well as for my official training. Kindly mention that can I apply Immigration from UK as I am on Student Visa. Second thing if I can apply what will be the process how long does it takes to get it done and third what will be the charges for all this process and fourth what type of documents,I required for me and my wife.

Here’s the problem with these 2 questions:

Red Question

The questioner is interested in immigrating to Hong Kong. Lots of people are and they all need a visa rationale for being here.

I have no clue as to why he wants to come to Hong Kong so I have no idea what kind of visa might be suitable for him.

Does he want to work, join in or establish a business, study, invest capital or take a punt as a Quality Migrant?

Is he seeking some kind of leverage from the fact that his daughter is a HKSAR passport holder (making her a permanent resident?)

I can guess, of course, but that just takes me down the path of assumption which is not productive nor, in fact, is it required as the Hong Kong Visa Handbook sets out the various immigration categories quite clearly, allowing detailed self-assessment prior to reaching out to me to fill in the gaps.

This is why I spent 12 months writing, producing and publishing the Hong Kong Visa Handbook in the first place.

The problem is further compounded by the fact that there appear to be 3 travel documents in play: Indian, Chinese and HKSAR.

Lots of complexity here.

Finally, is the request for detailed policies and procedures (along with our service fee information).

Again, without understanding this questioner’s circumstances, visa rationale for Hong Kong or the immigration background that led to one of their children acquiring a HKSAR passport, it is impossible for me to even conceive of a solution for them, let alone price it.

Green Question 

Do you see a theme emerging here? I have no idea what nationality this questioner is, nor what he wants to do when he comes to Hong Kong.

He wants me to lay out the process for all suitable visa types along with the documents for the same.

Where am I supposed to begin answering a question like this?

I want to help, I really do.

At the Hong Kong Visa Centre we are very transparent about our desire to provide knowledge, information and detailed insight into the Hong Kong visa process so that visa applicants can make informed decisions about their immigration objectives for Hong Kong.

We also are wide open to discourse, provide a 100% free Your Questions Answered service where I PodCast responses to your questions within 48 hours and, as any of our clients or people who know me will attest, I am happy to chat with anyone who has a Hong Kong visa problem or query and is looking for answers.

But please, for me to help you, I need detail.

This means an investment of time on your part, setting out the scene for me and reviewing our extensive immigration content on this Blog and also on the Hong Kong Visa Handbook.

Then when you’re ready, lay out your question and I’ll PodCast you a complete answer.

It only takes me 5-10 minutes to do this and affords other people in the future access to these Q&As, allowing me to add to the public Hong Kong immigration knowledge base which is building steadily over time.

If you pose your question in the very general manner of the 2 examples given above, you are effectively asking me to spend hours and hours composing a response.

This is time I simply do not have and anticipates me repeating the detailed material already covered in the Hong Kong Visa Handbook.

So, please.

Help me help you by asking Hong Kong  immigration questions I can actually answer!

More Stuff You Might Find Useful or Interesting

But Stephen, how do you make any money when you give all your Hong Kong visa and immigration expertise away for free?

Why internet forums are a cr@p source of Hong Kong visa and immigration advice

100% Hong Kong visa application success rate? Take it all with a pinch of salt

Paying for visa help? The Who’s-Who of the Hong Kong visa and immigration services industry

The Hong Kong Visa Centre irresistible offer