Browse Our Most Recent Content (& Beyond)

In recent weeks, starting in February this year, the government have announced that various immigration programmes in Hong Kong would be modified, requiring applicants to declare their criminal record status before obtaining an entry visa to come and live in the HKSAR (and not just those arriving for employment). A Hong Kong work visas-criminal record […] Keep Reading...>

May 29th, 2023

As we continue to finalise the programming of our large language model VisaGeeza.Ai, I am taking the opportunity to give a whole array of long-published, yet still totally accurate and relevant Hong Kong immigration content a fresh lick of paint and a new lease on life. In this guise, here’s Hadley, originally from 2012 (11 […] Keep Reading...>

May 28th, 2023

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is very often compared with other immigration programmes in the quality of life jurisdictions such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA and the UK. Recently, the HKSAR Government has supercharged it in a number of ways, including the temporary removal of the quota until 2025 and the expansion of the […] Keep Reading...>

May 27th, 2023

A comprehensive guide to successfully apply for an Entrepreneur Visa in Hong Kong, covering all aspects from business plans to financial projections. Ownership Structure The ownership structure of your business plays a crucial role in your visa application. The Hong Kong Immigration Department generally expects applicants to own more than 50% of the business. This […] Keep Reading...>

May 24th, 2023

 Are you a foreign national in Hong Kong on a dependant visa and considering a change in your immigration status? This guide will walk you through the process of swapping from a dependant visa to an employment visa in Hong Kong. We’ll cover the eligibility criteria, documentary requirements, and the process of changing your visa […] Keep Reading...>

May 20th, 2023

I’m in Hong Kong with my family as visitors seeking for me to get a Hong Kong employment visa with dependant visas for the rest of my tribe. What’s involved and how can I stay compliant if our 90 days visitor visas expire before we complete the whole employment and family visa application processes successfully? […] Keep Reading...>

May 19th, 2023

What is the approvability test for a Hong Kong entrepreneur visa, How does the approvability test for business investment to get a Hong Kong entrepreneur visa differ from that of a job-offer based employment visa? What are the key factors that contribute to the successful approval of a Hong Kong entrepreneur visa based on business […] Keep Reading...>

May 18th, 2023

What steps should an employer take to ensure a job seeker is lawfully employable in Hong Kong?  What documents should an employer inspect for job seekers who do not hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card and what are the consequences for an employer who fails to check if a job seeker is lawfully employable […] Keep Reading...>

May 17th, 2023

What will be the consequences of being employed illegally for almost a year without having a change of sponsorship for Hong Kong employment visa when new owners took over the company sponsoring my visa? My visa is up for renewal soon and they have terminated me temporarily with compensation until it’s all resolved. Will my […] Keep Reading...>

May 16th, 2023

Navigating the complexities of immigration law can be challenging, particularly when it comes to dependent visas in Hong Kong. One question that often arises is whether a person can get Hong Kong dependent visa sponsorship more than once, with different spouses. The answer, according to Hong Kong’s administrative rules, is yes, provided certain conditions are […] Keep Reading...>

May 15th, 2023

For Chinese nationals resident in mainland China, there are several ways to enter Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This guide will walk you through the various Hong Kong immigration permits for Chinese nationals available in the special instance of the floodgates policy applicable PRC citizens. One-Way Permit: For Permanent Settlement One-Way Permits are issued […] Keep Reading...>

May 14th, 2023

Explore our comprehensive guide on Hong Kong employment and dependent visas. Learn about the application process, eligibility criteria, and the rights of visa holders. Get insights on how to navigate the Immigration Department’s requirements and make your transition to Hong Kong smoother. Hong Kong, a bustling metropolis known for its thriving business environment, attracts professionals […] Keep Reading...>

May 13th, 2023

Navigating dependant visa conditions – is it possible to have my wife removed from the dependent visa as we no longer live together and have separate lives – can she obtain her own visa instead of being dependent on me? Can I remove her immediately from my sponsorship? Discover how Hong Kong immigration law impacts […] Keep Reading...>

May 11th, 2023

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals: Documentation Essentials When applying for an employment visa under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, it’s crucial to submit the necessary documentation to support your application. In this guide, we’ll cover the required documents, how to optimize your application, and tips for a successful submission. Required […] Keep Reading...>

May 9th, 2023

Discover the benefits of the HKSAR Travel Pass, eligibility criteria, and the application process for frequent business visitors to Hong Kong. Learn how to optimize your experience with this essential travel tool. What is the HKSAR Travel Pass and Its Benefits for Frequent Business Visitors? The HKSAR Travel Pass is a valuable resource for foreign […] Keep Reading...>

May 8th, 2023

First Published September 12, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. Working my way through all of our content these last 40 days as we work to complete our large language model programming activity for VisaGeeza.Ai I have ‘re’found’ this series of […] Keep Reading...>

May 1st, 2023

What happens if you work for a Hong Kong company but are stationed the majority of your time outside of Hong Kong? Less than 180 days in Hong Kong during the last three years – impact on PR eligibility? The answer may be somewhat different from what might you expect, especially given the challenges Covid19 […] Keep Reading...>

April 27th, 2023

First Published January 16, 2018 – Updated April 23, 2023 Two-pronged question today starting with how to change Hong Kong employment visa sponsorship into a new job sector. Tnis is an update review question that still holds valid even 5 years after I gave the original advice. I am coming across a lot of good […] Keep Reading...>

April 23rd, 2023

Employment law and immigration law are often overlapping but must be dealt with separately… What can I do If my employment contract ends on the same day as my Hong Kong work visa and I need to stay here a while longer to sort out my affairs? QUESTION I am in a fix with a […] Keep Reading...>

April 21st, 2023

First Published April 25, 2012 – Updated April 18, 2023 Hong Kong Visa Choices? As I work my way through the preparations for the launch of VisaGeeza.Ai, I am taking the opportunity to give a fresh lick of paint to advice that I gave in years past which is still very much relevant today. Modern […] Keep Reading...>

April 18th, 2023

First Published December 13, 2013 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! Do immigration consultants add any value to the Hong Kong visa process? It’s been an interesting […] Keep Reading...>

April 14th, 2023

Foreign domestic helper visa for your Girlfriend? Another ‘oldie but a goodie’ post from nigh on 11 years ago. Just goes to show that some things simply don’t change when many do when it comes to Hong Kong immigration! All of this content is being brought bang up to date for inclusion in VisaGeeza.Ai which […] Keep Reading...>

April 10th, 2023

I am in the process of updating a whole raft of content in anticipation of the launch of VisaGeeza.ai later this month and am coming across a lot of  ‘oldies but goodies’. Here’s one! Getting a Working Visa for Hong Kong is a Simple Matter of Filling in the Forms, Right? With the relatively large […] Keep Reading...>

April 4th, 2023

Foibles of Hong Kong Visa & Immigration Applications First Published April 29, 2013 – Updated April 3, 2023 (10 years on – somethings never change ….) Hong Kong immigration & visa applications: both the Hong Kong Visa Handbook and the accompanying updates posted daily on the Hong Kong Visa Geeza Blog along with the DIY […] Keep Reading...>

April 3rd, 2023

ImmD publish a useful series of video on their YouTube channel. The 2 videos which follow teach you how to go about applying for a Hong Kong Identity card. These links have now been updated as of March 2023. The post today is topical as the Territory-Wide Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise came to an […] Keep Reading...>

March 27th, 2023

Updated March 23, 2023  Get the 100% Free Application Roadmap Here Today – Still Highly Relevant & Useful! On January 17, 2013 I gave a talk at Centre O in Wanchai on how to go about applying for a Hong Kong business investment visa without the need to pay for any professional help. 10 years have gone by and […] Keep Reading...>

March 23rd, 2023

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. It also speaks to changing your visa category to business investment as an entrepreneur in the event you wish to start […] Keep Reading...>

March 18th, 2023

I am in the process of revisiting a lot of my older video content to ensure its continuing relevance and validity. I will also be conducting a whole new series of updated talks around town in the coming few weeks and the videos of those will, as always, be posted here. Whilst this talk harks […] Keep Reading...>

March 13th, 2023

First Published November 17, 2014 – Advice Still Valid Today You’ve lost your job and your limit of stay is coming up for expiry. Any chance the Immigration Department will grant you an interim Hong Kong employment visa extension in these circumstances? QUESTION I am an Australian  national living in Hong Kong under an employment visa since […] Keep Reading...>

March 9th, 2023

First Published October 2, 2019 – Advice Still Valid Today What is the law about visitors working in Hong Kong as freelancers but not engaging in the local economy? Whilst this question was first asked 4 years ago, I have received three very similar quiestions in the last week so nows the time to republish […] Keep Reading...>

March 7th, 2023

It probably won’t come as a surprise to you but we’re actively and quickly moving ahead with the introduction of Ai to our immigration practice, the Hong Kong Visa Centre. Ai Is Coming To The Hong Kong Visa Geeza Website Very Soon Last year I established a group on LinkedIn called – Innovation In Immigration. […] Keep Reading...>

March 3rd, 2023

Should you be worried that your employment visa status in Hong Kong might be undermined if you choose to leave the employ of an unsavoury employer? QUESTION Hello, my current employer and visa sponsor is a small business, and my working conditions are intolerable – twice the amount of hours than stated on the contract, […] Keep Reading...>

March 1st, 2023

ImmD expect to be able to take a view of a proposed new from 39,000 feet and for this a good set of financial projections are expected to form part of a business investment visa application. QUESTION Does the Immigration Department look for forecasts for profitability and actually estimates of employee hiring? I have written […] Keep Reading...>

February 27th, 2023

Re-Published 25 February, 2023 – Still Valid Advice QUESTION I’m a Chinese National and now working in HK on IANG Visa.  I have been living in Hong Kong continuously for 6 years (I came here in August 2013, then 1 year study and 5 year work).  My current IANG visa is valid until July 2022 […] Keep Reading...>

February 25th, 2023

How long should a Hong Kong Employment Visa Application take to finalize – especially in light of the 4 weeks cited on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website? QUESTION My working visa application is now almost into its 7th week (49 days and counting). There were documents that immigration requested from my sponsor which may have delayed […] Keep Reading...>

February 23rd, 2023

Simple question this one with an easy answer and indicative of the fact that, even though quite a straight forward issue, the information is not otherwise readily available anywhere else on the web. QUESTION I am a Canadian citizen, working in Hong Kong holding an employment visa for 7 weeks. I want to stay after […] Keep Reading...>

February 20th, 2023

First Published July 29, 2013 – Still Relevant The Immigration Department need documentation to understand when to demarcate new from old sponsorship arrangements when changing employers and the million dollar question is……. what will suffice? QUESTION I have a sponsored visa from my current employer until November 2014. I am now wanting to leave this […] Keep Reading...>

February 15th, 2023

Updated Pilot Scheme For Visitors To Hong Kong Who Can Work (February 2023) Hong Kong Government Expands the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors  After the Enhancement Measures implemented by the Hong Kong Government (GovHK) starting with December 2022, GovHK) has recently announced the Expansion of Pilot […] Keep Reading...>

February 12th, 2023

First Published June 20, 2012 Down the years a great many foreign nationals arrive in Hong Kong as visitors ‘on spec’ and are able to successfully change their immigration status in order for them to take up employment when a job offer manifests itself here. This question discusses this very issue and provides the answer […] Keep Reading...>

February 7th, 2023

This question gets to the heart of permitted activity as a Visitor and the ability to remain here on an indefinite basis on that status. QUESTION Hi, I am a New Zealander currently staying in Hong Kong with my partner who is a permanent HKID card holder. I do not have a HKID card, just […] Keep Reading...>

February 5th, 2023

First Published June 10, 2013 Once you have achieved 7 years continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, your long stay immigration options open up considerably… QUESTION My current working visa is due to expire at the end of  September, (previously I was given an extension of 3 years in 2010), this I assume was so that […] Keep Reading...>

January 31st, 2023

We have been contacted a lot recently by applicants who’s cases have been refused  – so this question is both timely and, for all those affected, of great significance. QUESTION “I would like to know if, once  I have received the first rejection letter from an Officer of the HKID for my employment visa application, I […] Keep Reading...>

January 30th, 2023

Update February 27, 2023 The question of criminal records and how they impact on Hong Kong visa applications keeps cropping up… QUESTION Hi, I have previously lived in Hong Kong, once as a student so obviously held a student visa and then a couple of years later working there so had an employment visa. I’m […] Keep Reading...>

January 28th, 2023

First Published October 29, 2014 – Still Relevant Does being married to a Hong Kong permanent resident whilst living in China impact on continuity of ordinary residence for the purposes of a right of abode application subsequently? QUESTION Hi, Your website is incredibly helpful! However, my situation doesn’t seem to have an answer yet, so […] Keep Reading...>

January 26th, 2023

What a great question – never been asked this before! QUESTION I have been resident in Hong Kong for 5 and a half years on a working visa. I lost my job over 6 months ago and thought that I had no option but to leave. I obtained the MPF refund in May and signed […] Keep Reading...>

January 24th, 2023

QUESTION I currently hold a Hong Kong employment visa with a company where I am receiving a monthly salary of HK$50,000 (fixed salary, no bonuses), and have been working with this company for the past 4 years. My contract, and visa, are due to expire soon so I am in the process of looking for a […] Keep Reading...>

January 22nd, 2023

First Published On April 11, 2013 – Still Relevant What’s the deal if you’re in Hong Kong with a dependant visa and your spouse wants to leave but you want to stay? QUESTION Hello, I am here on a dependent visa with my husband. He is planning to leave his employment in Hong Kong and […] Keep Reading...>

January 20th, 2023

Hong Kong being a small, dynamic city which punches above its weight in the region, this situation happens all the time. So what IS the impact on your subsequent eligibility for the Right of Abode if your employer wants to shift you off-shore temporarily to manage a project? QUESTION I have been working in Hong Kong […] Keep Reading...>

January 14th, 2023

Can you realistically expect to work for yourself if your employment permissions have been granted under IANG? QUESTION Hi Stephen, thanks a lot for answering the questions on this website. I must say that all the information on visageeza.com is of immense value. I would like to pose a question regarding the Immigration Arrangement for […] Keep Reading...>

January 12th, 2023

” I Want to Bring My Girlfriend to Hong Kong”. This is a common challenge for people in serious, yet relatively new  relationships. The Hong Kong visa options are few and far between. You absolutely have to make sure that you stay on the right side of the law on this one. It’s all too […] Keep Reading...>

January 10th, 2023

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