Application For Employing Professionals In Hong Kong – How About The ‘Hire-Locals-First’ Policy?

(Original Change Due To Audit Commission Report)

Learn About The Need To Source Talent Locally …

As a result of the Audit Commission Report Number 66 when making an application for employing professionals in Hong Kong ImmD were forced to change one critical aspect of their processes regarding certain types of Hong Kong employment visas.

Declaration On Recruitment Efforts Mandatory

ImmD sponsorship form ID990B requires the employing company’s declaration to speak to local recruitment efforts when making an application for employing professionals in Hong Kong.

Visas Affected

This effectively means the ID990B needs to be filled and executed when making an application for employing professionals in Hong Kong under the following visa types:

1. GEP – Employment (Professional) Entry
2. ASMTP – Employment (Professional) Entry
3. ASMTP & GEP – Change of Sponsorship

Not Required For IANG Applications

The Declaration is not required for all IANG applications.

Therefore, when making an application for employing professionals in Hong Kong,  you will need to provide proof of local recruitment efforts:

Briefly describe the steps the company has taken to locate the candidates such as the number of job ads placed and the duration they were placed, the number of applications reviewed, the number of official interviews conducted, and the number of candidates shortlisted etc. Provide proof such as a copy of the job ad placed, resumes of the candidates interviewed with the personal details blocked or email responses from the candidates etc. If no local recruitment efforts have been made, you will need to provide a written explanation as to why not.

Not Applicable To Talent List & High Earners

With effect from 28 December 2022, employers are not required to provide proof of a local recruitment exercise if the post offered falls under the 13 professions where there is a shortage of local workers as listed in the Talent List or the vacancy commands an annual salary of HK$2 million or more.

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