Browse Our Most Recent Content (& Beyond)

Hong Kong  work visa to work as a language teacher but no degree? The challenge of securing a Hong Kong work visa for language teachers is rife with contradictions. This question speak to what might work in the very unusual set of circumstances posed. QUESTION “Hi, one of my friends has just recommended you guys […] Keep Reading...>

April 25th, 2024

Tough question this – so what’s the answer…? QUESTION Hello Hong Kong Visa Geeza, This website is simply wonderful and resourceful!! Thanks. I had a question and was wondering if you can please help. I finish 7 years in Hong Kong in November and my current employment visa expires on the same day I would […] Keep Reading...>

April 24th, 2024

Hong Kong investment visa extension after being granted only an initial 6 month limit of stay? QUESTION Dear Visa Geeza, I’d like to thank you for building such useful resources online. I followed your advice when preparing my business investment visa. My visa got approved and with a six month review condition. I have already […] Keep Reading...>

April 23rd, 2024

Entrepreneurship is a fluid beast! This post deals with special situations around the Hong Kong Investment Visa. QUESTION Hello, I was on an investment visa for a year when I started my own business and then took on a full time role with another company.  I was transferred to an employment visa.  I am now […] Keep Reading...>

April 22nd, 2024

The Hong Kong training visa is designed to allow foreign nationals to come to Hong Kong for a limited time to undergo or deliver training. Will ImmD entertain an application from a training visa holder to take up employment with another business while that training is ongoing? QUESTION Dear Visa Geeza, Thanks in advance for […] Keep Reading...>

April 21st, 2024

There appears to be a misconception among foreign nationals that you can be living here and it be OK to run a business in Hong Kong without getting an investment visa just so long as you don’t pay yourself a salary… QUESTION I currently hold a working visa which is still valid for almost 2 more […] Keep Reading...>

April 20th, 2024

I hold a Hong Kong employment visa and want to start freelancing…   As a foreign national temporarily resident in Hong Kong on a sponsored employment visa, there are a number of different compliance issues that need to be addressed if you lose your job and you fancy embarking down the path of freelancing on […] Keep Reading...>

April 19th, 2024

Can I work in Shenzhen on my Hong Kong employment visa? So, just what is the deal with being employed ex Hong Kong but actually working in China? QUESTION I just graduated with a Master’s degree from a Hong Kong university. I am still a Hong Kong resident with student status. My university allows me […] Keep Reading...>

April 18th, 2024

This is joining in a side business albeit in another name…and a solution for certain types of Hong Kong Employment Visa holders thinking about freelancing in Hong Kong QUESTION Info -NZ Passport holder -Working in Hong Kong for three years with an employer. Hello I would like to know how I would go about starting a business […] Keep Reading...>

April 17th, 2024

What kind of activity is permitted if you are in Hong Kong on a Visitor visa? Does this include informal study? QUESTION My wife and I are spending some time here in Hong Kong. We do not work here and we do not intend to. We just enjoy living here, enjoying the city. We have […] Keep Reading...>

April 16th, 2024

There’s a lot of confusion about the Hong Kong Identity Card so today I’d like to clear it up a bit… QUESTION Hello, (1) Which visa categories require a Hong Kong Identity Card, and (2) If they require a Hong Kong Identity Card then will it allow for access to the public health care system, […] Keep Reading...>

April 15th, 2024

Getting from the Right to Land to the Right of Abode is the same as coming from a temporary visa to a permanent identity card. It’s all about the magic seven years in Hong Kong…  QUESTION I am a UK Citizen with the Right to Land. I understand that with Right to Land, I have no […] Keep Reading...>

April 14th, 2024

What do ImmD make of foreign nationals who hold an employment visa for a period of time, then remain here as Visitors again for a protracted time, then apply once again for an employment visa? QUESTION I was previously employed in Hong for a number of years, but have been not been working here for […] Keep Reading...>

April 13th, 2024

What will the Hong Kong Immigration Department make of a very early application for an extension to a business investment visa? QUESTION I am 6 months into my first 12 month stint of an investment employment visa.  I am looking to move into a new apartment and the landlord is requesting a minimum of 12 […] Keep Reading...>

April 12th, 2024

What can you do about your dependant visa status in Hong Kong if you have sadly lost your much loved spouse-as-sponsor? QUESTION Hello, I came to Hong Kong on a dependent visa (my wife, a PR, sponsoring me). I have already completed 3.5 years and my visa is about due for extension. The dilemma I […] Keep Reading...>

April 11th, 2024

If you leave your job and want to start your own business in Hong Kong, what are the immigration implications of this if you are a temporary resident foreign national employee? QUESTION Hi Stephen, I am in a bit of a pickle, I am currently waiting for my PR and I have a visa extension […] Keep Reading...>

April 10th, 2024

Got an income but no savings? What impact will this have on your ability to successfully sponsor a Hong Kong dependant visa? QUESTION Hello! I have a work visa and will apply for my husband to stay by applying for a Hong Kong dependant visa. Alas I have no savings, is there a minimum amount […] Keep Reading...>

April 9th, 2024

So what DO the Immigration Department make of applicants who too-frequently seek to change their Hong Kong employment visa sponsorship? QUESTION I was previously working in Hong Kong for a company for the past 2.5 years and switched jobs 32 days ago. My previous employer is now offering me a much senior position and really […] Keep Reading...>

April 8th, 2024

The question of investment visa or not is actually quite straight forward. It’s all about ‘living’ in Hong Kong… QUESTION Hi Visa Geeza, I’ve a question regarding putting up a company in Hong Kong. I’ve been reading about how “easy” it is to set up a company in Hong Kong, however, it sounds too over […] Keep Reading...>

April 7th, 2024

So, what would the Hong Kong Immigration Department make of a relationship forged via the Internet? QUESTION Hello, I’m resident in Peru,  South America. I met a Hong Kong woman by chat; she lives in Hong Kong. We have been planning for me to go there and stay, only problem is that she’s still legally […] Keep Reading...>

April 6th, 2024

Changing jobs in Hong Kong requires the permission of the Director of Immigration… Dear Stephen, How can I get the approval of the Immigration Department to change my Hong Kong employment visa sponsorship without my current employer learning about it? I have a stable job in Hong Kong and am finalizing an offer with a […] Keep Reading...>

April 5th, 2024

Work full time in Hong Kong without an employment visa ? This is a bit of a hoary old chestnut this question but a really important one nonetheless so I am grateful to the questioner for posing it. QUESTION Hi there, My Hong Kong employment visa application has just been refused. My company who are […] Keep Reading...>

April 4th, 2024

Remain in Hong Kong under an Employment Visa sponsored by an ex-Employer? Unusual set of facts in this case and a question never posed to me in this fashion previously… QUESTION I have been in Hong Kong since 2011 under an employment visa but have recently quit my job. The last time my visa was […] Keep Reading...>

April 3rd, 2024

How important is sponsor-profitability, especially for start up businesses less than 12 months old? QUESTION I have been recruited by a newly established company (12 months old as of this week). They have never hired a foreigner and have tasked me with completing the visa forms, both employee and employer versions. The Employer-side application requires […] Keep Reading...>

April 2nd, 2024

Contact Hong Kong Immigration and make your visa expire? This question comes up often enough for it to warrant another explanation of the arrangements which prevail (current ImmD practice)… QUESTION Dear Visa Geeza,  I’m under the impression that when you leave a company that has been sponsoring your employment visa or if you are fired, […] Keep Reading...>

April 1st, 2024

Having a relationship with a Chinese partner resident on the Mainland can be problematic if you wish to share your lives together in Hong Kong… QUESTION I am looking to take up employment in Hong Kong from November 1st. My biggest concern is the ability and feasibility for my girlfriend from Mainland China to be […] Keep Reading...>

March 31st, 2024

This question mainly relates to business rather than immigration law but is still an important question nonetheless… QUESTION Hello I have a Hong Kong  dependant visa that gives me the right to work in Hong Kong. I have been offered a Regional Asia role based out of Hong Kong by a Canadian company. This company is […] Keep Reading...>

March 30th, 2024

This is an important question on the business investment visa for Hong Kong…. Experience suggests that the Hong Kong Immigration Department do tend to look favourably upon such business plans, but the applicant absolutely does not have it all his or her own way, as you will learn in my PodCast answer. (Please note the […] Keep Reading...>

March 29th, 2024

So, just what immigration options for parents accrue to a foreign national holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card? QUESTION Hi there!  A foreign national became a permanent resident after many years study and work in Hong Kong. Now he wants to sponsor his parents holding Canadian passports to become a P.R. In Hong Kong […] Keep Reading...>

March 28th, 2024

Sometimes, the sun and the moon align beautifully on a set of circumstances to allow an unmarried couple to spend time together in Hong Kong when ordinarily visa circumstances conspire against them. Not on this occasion, however! QUESTION “Hi there, I have just recently returned from Hong Kong to Canada where I am a citizen. […] Keep Reading...>

March 27th, 2024

First Published October 9, 2012 – Still Relevant Whilst the implementation of Hong Kong immigration policy is essentially very flexible, as an employment visa holder, until you have gone on to receive the right of abode (RoA) or unconditional stay after seven years continuous ordinary residence, your permissions to remain in Hong Kong are governed very […] Keep Reading...>

March 26th, 2024

My employment visa has been refused …. 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 […] Keep Reading...>

March 25th, 2024

The working holiday visa for Hong Kong is designed for certain types of employment activity – but does this include freelance work or starting or your own business? First Published On April 15, 2013 – Still Relevant QUESTION Hi I have recently moved to Hong Kong with my partner (who has an employment visa) and […] Keep Reading...>

March 24th, 2024

Dead simple question this one with a very short answer (for a change!) QUESTION What paperwork/ piece of paper, if any, goes in to your passport to recognize that you are a permanent resident of the HKSAR?  For the last 7 years I’ve had a dependant visa.  I need to know as I have one […] Keep Reading...>

March 23rd, 2024

First Published August 13, 2014 – Still Relevant Extend a Hong Kong business investment visa?  Not so long ago the Hong Kong Immigration Department made life quite easy for certain entrepreneurs when it came time to extend a business investment visa… QUESTION  OF  THE  WEEK For extending my Hong Kong investment visa for the first renewal, […] Keep Reading...>

March 22nd, 2024

Question: Hi there, I am interested in migrating to Hong Kong, wasn’t sure what is the best route – getting employment take times, and I wonder what might be the alternative. I am going to open a domain company but not sure if that works. I need some help to explore some of options but […] Keep Reading...>

March 21st, 2024

First Published January 4, 2020 – Still Relevant  Employment visa grant? What do the Hong Kong Immigration Department take into account exactly when considering an application for an employment visa where the applicant has recently divorced from a Hong Kong resident? QUESTION I have been in Hong Kong for two years and have recently divorced.  […] Keep Reading...>

March 20th, 2024

Excellent question earlier this week. Great opportunity to slay a few sacred cows. QUESTION Hi, one of the requirements for the work visa application is a proof of genuine vacancy. What if a sponsoring company doesn’t do job ads? What can he present? He does recruit locally via his network since he is just a […] Keep Reading...>

March 19th, 2024

The answer to this question is multi-part and ultimately driven by the challenges associated with a New Business Situation… QUESTION I am based in Hong Kong and would like your advice on visa applications for a friend.   A friend of mine, who is based in the US and I have been discussing a business opportunity for Hong Kong and […] Keep Reading...>

March 18th, 2024

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...>

March 17th, 2024

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 I would be valid for […] Keep Reading...>

March 16th, 2024

What is the interplay between unpaid taxes and a Hong Kong employment visa application subsequently? QUESTION Hi, I worked in Hong Kong last year, 2013, and left the city mid year after my work terminated. When I left, my company filed a IR56G “leaving Hong Kong” tax form for me with the IRD. However, I […] Keep Reading...>

March 15th, 2024

Foreign nationals seeking to work in Hong Kong have a lot of stake in an employment visa application so when it doesn’t work out positively where does that leave their proposed relationship? QUESTION Hi, After the recruitment process in a multinational company in Hong Kong, they decided to employ me, so I signed the offer […] Keep Reading...>

March 14th, 2024

I’m often asked how feasible business investment visas are for foreign nationals seeking to establish a new technology start up here. Bootstrappping and running Lean can be a double edged sword as a foreign national starting up in Hong Kong… The actual extent of the challenge is, in fact, no more onerous than it has […] Keep Reading...>

March 13th, 2024

In this section of the talk, I talk about the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) – this much maligned programme that is ‘on the books’ so we continue to provide coverage of it (of course!) On March 21, 2014 I gave a presentation at the Chinese Club entitled Business Immigration to Hong Kong – A Practical […] Keep Reading...>

March 12th, 2024

In this short piece, I discuss the impact on our practice when clients leave their Hong Kong visa extension applications to the very last minute! In this occasional series of commentary, I provide a peek inside our professional practice and offer a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of the Hong Kong Visa Centre team. […] Keep Reading...>

March 11th, 2024

In this post, I talk about  the Hong Kong unconditional stay and when it might be useful to you. Hong Kong unconditional stay plays a lesser yet still important role in immigration status to acquire in the HKSAR today… On March 21, 2014 I gave a presentation at the Chinese Club entitled Business Immigration to Hong Kong – A […] Keep Reading...>

March 10th, 2024

I have given this talk around town for the last couple of years now and so pleased to finally add it to our coverage of the Hong Kong investment visa, specifically discussing the Hong Kong investment visa for Mainland Chinese applicants. The talk was graciously hosted at WYND Co-working Space, ran by a group of great people […] Keep Reading...>

March 9th, 2024

An old chestnut this question which comes up time and time again about getting a Hong Kong work visa with no degree – albeit this time in the context of a technical apprenticeship undertaken straight out of senior high school. QUESTION  OF  THE  WEEK I moved to Hong Kong from France one month ago. I […] Keep Reading...>

March 8th, 2024

Employment law and immigration law are often overlapping but must be dealt with separately…this post talks about what can be done if someone’s employment contract ends on the same day as their Hong Kong work visa, but they need to stay in Hong Kong for a while longer to sort out their affairs. What can […] Keep Reading...>

March 7th, 2024

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