Browse Our Most Recent Content (& Beyond)

Can a Chinese spouse resident on the Mainland secure a dependant visa for Hong Kong? QUESTION My brother is married to a Chinese girl. He is Singaporean and coming to Hong Kong on a working visa. Can he get his wife a dependant visa for Hong Kong? They have proper legal marriage certificate from Singapore. […] Keep Reading...>

August 11th, 2020

The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced an update on service arrangements as follows: Reduced Immigration Department Service Schedule August  10th – 16th Keep Reading...>

August 9th, 2020

No one has asked me this type of question about compensation for employees for about 17 years now so I’m grateful to the questioner for raising it as she did. QUESTION I have successfully registered a business and been awarded an investment visa in Hong Kong. The company is a start up with limited capital […] Keep Reading...>

August 7th, 2020

This situation occurs quite a lot especially for those employees who were originally summer hires and are on back to back employment contracts matching the validity of their limits of stay. QUESTION I am a Canadian currently employed in Hong Kong and have a work visa. If I plan to be absent on leave in […] Keep Reading...>

August 5th, 2020

Is it always absolutely necessary to call upon a university degree qualification in order to get a Hong Kong work visa application approved? QUESTION I have found a job here and am now in the process of applying for a Hong Kong work visa. It is a Quality Assurance position in the garment business. My […] Keep Reading...>

July 29th, 2020

How a Hong Kong employment visa application can go completely wrong! Last week, a very good client of ours asked if I would be prepared to take a look at the file of an applicant who had been denied an employment visa a few weeks previously.   First Published on  October 3, 2012 This applicant […] Keep Reading...>

July 27th, 2020

I get 30-40 questions each week and not all of them merit a podcast answer. Some are answered quickly via email and for the next few days I’ll post some of these anonymised replies here. Our Dependant Visas Will Expire Soon – We Can’t Get Back To Hong Kong In Time Due To COVID19 – […] Keep Reading...>

July 20th, 2020

First Published June 4, 2012 No matter what type of Hong Kong visa you have secured, residency in Hong Kong offers fantastic tax benefits! More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting Is 50 days a particularly long time to process a Hong Kong employment visa application? INTERVIEW: What was it like being an immigration […] Keep Reading...>

July 15th, 2020

I get 30-40 questions each week and not all of them merit a podcast answer. Some are answered quickly via email and for the next few days I’ll post some of these anonymised replies here. Can I Extend My Hong Kong Visitor Visa If I Am Stuck Here Due to COVID19? QUESTION Hi I’m here […] Keep Reading...>

July 11th, 2020

I get 30-40 questions each week and not all of them merit a podcast answer. Some are answered quickly via email and for the next few days I’ll post some of these anonymised replies here. A Depedant Visa For An Elderly Parent If I Have a Permanent HK ID Card? QUESTION My brother is an […] Keep Reading...>

July 9th, 2020

Hong Kong visa expertise for free? Source: hongkongvisageeza.com via Stephen on Pinterest   As I am a member of quite a few Hong Kong related groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, the content of this Blog is distributed quite widely and commands a healthy following. Not that everyone is waiting eagerly for the latest Hong […] Keep Reading...>

July 5th, 2020

This infographic sets out how the path to securing a Hong Kong employment visa is traveled, from the decision to look for work through to granting of the all-important visa in your passport. More Stuff to Help You Along The perils of contriving a job offer in order to make an employment visa application in […] Keep Reading...>

July 3rd, 2020

First Published September 9, 2016 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short piece I discuss  the old chestnut of contrived employment (fake job offers). More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting What does it mean… Twilight Zone? What does […] Keep Reading...>

July 2nd, 2020

First Published July 11, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short video, I discuss the One Year Rule as it applies to PRC nationals applicants  for resident visa status in Hong Kong. More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting […] Keep Reading...>

June 29th, 2020

First Published July 27, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short piece I discuss how the Hong Kong Immigration Department assess the bona fides of a sponsor seeking Hong Kong dependant visa permissions for his/her family to join him/her […] Keep Reading...>

June 26th, 2020

First Published July 20, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short piece I discuss how the Hong Kong Immigration Department assess the bona fides of a Hong Kong company seeking to sponsor the employment visa permissions of a foreign […] Keep Reading...>

June 24th, 2020

First Published August 24, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short piece, I discuss  how the Hong Kong Immigration Department position their internal test for visa application approval via, what I have couched, as their Approvability Test. More Stuff […] Keep Reading...>

June 22nd, 2020

I have been asked twice recently about adding the Hong Kong employment visa to the “10 Must Have …” collection of resources on the Visa Geeza Blog so here you have it. In addition to the resources detailed below, you can also find how to extend your Hong Kong employment visa here and in case your proposed employer […] Keep Reading...>

June 19th, 2020

If you are intending to make an application for a Hong Kong investment visa, you’re going to need a variety of resources to manifest your intentions properly with the Immigration Department en route to your all-important visa approval. To this end, I have collected and made available ten key resources in this post, all-in one […] Keep Reading...>

June 16th, 2020

After much vaunted fanfare the 100% SME Loan Guarantee Scheme put forward by the HKSAR Government came into effect in April this year and on April 24, 2020 we applied under the Proxy Method to our sole bankers HSBC. This short video sets out our experience. Our Contact is Isaac Wong More Stuff You Will […] Keep Reading...>

June 15th, 2020

First Published August 29, 2016 The Hong Kong immigration Catch 22 – over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short piece I discuss  how the Hong Kong Immigration Department manage the seemingly contradictory requirement of creating new business facts on the […] Keep Reading...>

June 10th, 2020

First Published September 6, 2016 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short video I discuss the notion of Administrative Flux. More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting 10 Must Have resources for any Hong Kong investment visa application Is […] Keep Reading...>

June 6th, 2020

First Published September 12, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short video, I discuss how spouses finding themselves in unfortunate immigration circumstances can go about swapping visa status’ to solve their pressing visa problems. More Stuff You May Find Useful […] Keep Reading...>

June 3rd, 2020

First Published June 25, 2015 Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance. In this short video, I discuss the Hong Kong visa Twilight Zone. More Stuff You May Find Useful or Interesting Hong Kong immigration… what does it mean…Swapping Status? Hong Kong immigration… what […] Keep Reading...>

June 1st, 2020

Does being formally engaged to be married to a Hong Kong Permanent Resident materially impact the work permissions available to an employment visa holding fiance? QUESTION I am a permanent resident of Hong Kong working here and I met my girlfriend who is currently employed and on a working visa. However she no longer wants to […] Keep Reading...>

May 27th, 2020

This is a sad situation for a couple who find themselves in a maelstrom of immigration difficulties caused by a less than sensible choice some time previously. QUESTION I am a permanent resident in Hong Kong and am planning to marry my girlfriend. My girlfriend is in detention prior to removal. She’s from the Philippines. […] Keep Reading...>

May 24th, 2020

Hong Kong Employment Visa for an Independant Contractor? The General Employment Policy anticipates that foreign national Professionals seeking to work in Hong Kong are subject to a formal employer-employee relationship. So what’s the situation if the employer wants to engage you as a contractor? Is it do-able? QUESTION Dear Stephen,  I got a working visa […] Keep Reading...>

May 21st, 2020

Hong Kong being the dynamic ‘all-things-to-all-people’ type of place it is, oftentimes, certain life circumstances here throw up immigration challenges that need to be considered carefully to ensure that you do not inadvertently run afoul of the law and end up doing things that are no commensurate with your formal conditions of stay. This question […] Keep Reading...>

May 19th, 2020

What will ImmD make of an application to sponsor a dependant visa by a Hong Kong employment visa holding foreign national who doesn’t presently have a job here? QUESTION I am in between jobs (currently on an employment visa in Hong Kong) and plan to get married soon (outside HK). I would like to arrange […] Keep Reading...>

May 17th, 2020

First Published April 5, 2016 I’ve been asked this question a lot these days so I’m republishing this earlier answer here… How can you manage an impending Hong Kong work visa expiry challenge with a current employer with the prospect of a wholly new employment looming large? QUESTION My first Hong Kong work visa issued […] Keep Reading...>

May 13th, 2020

What happens if you get to 6 years continuous ordinary residence then plan to leave Hong Kong? QUESTION Hello, I am in Hong Kong since 6 years on an employment visa all throughout and am aiming for PR next year in July. However, I am about to change job and the new company wants me […] Keep Reading...>

May 11th, 2020

This post was first published on December 2, 2012 Life in Hong Kong throws up many new opportunities and this question seeks to understand the implications for 7 years continuous residency in respect of an eventual right of abode application where an overall switch over in life plans sees a lady intending to relinquish her […] Keep Reading...>

May 9th, 2020

First Published On September 30, 2015 What happens to your prospects for permanent residency in Hong Kong if you’ve been made redundant but have no firm intention to rejoin the workforce prior to  seeking to apply to have your eligibility for right of abode verified after 7 years continuous ordinary residence? QUESTION Hello Visa Geeza, […] Keep Reading...>

May 6th, 2020

First Published December 25, 2012 A relatively straightforward answer to, what can be, quite a complex question dealing with ‘Hong-Kong-immigration status-by-descent’ for foreign nationals born in the HKSAR. QUESTION I was born in Hong Kong  (I am a British passport holder and of British parents). I do not have ***. My daughter was born in […] Keep Reading...>

May 2nd, 2020

A suitable Hong Kong visa & immigration strategy for a highly accomplished professional trailing unmarried partner It’s only natural to wish to iron out all the immigration wrinkles prior to a relocation to Hong Kong when you’re joining your loved one who’s transferring here. This question provides a great opportunity for a discussion of the […] Keep Reading...>

April 28th, 2020

Hong Kong working visas – what would the Hong Kong Immigration Department make of  a new, highly specialised business who’s fundamental ability to exist was driven by the need to import unique foreign national skills and talent? QUESTION Hi Steve, two questions really (the 2nd one stemming from me hearing you on RTHK Radio 3 […] Keep Reading...>

April 26th, 2020

You know how it is… you arrive in Hong Kong for a year of fun and adventure and then you want to stay… QUESTION Hi there! I’m an Australian citizen in Hong Kong, working under a working holiday visa which only permits me to work 3 months per employer. Is the only way around this […] Keep Reading...>

April 24th, 2020

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 22nd, 2020

Hong Kong Immigration Department – COVID19 UPDATE A short video update as to what’s happening at the Hong Kong Immigration Department and how our professional practice is faring in these troubled times.   More Stuff You Will Surely Find Useful! 10 Must Have Resources for a Trouble-Free Hong Kong Employment Visa Application 10 Must Have […] Keep Reading...>

April 20th, 2020

Never has this question has been posed in this way previously so I am grateful to receive it… QUESTION Great website! I hope this reaches you well. I’m writing on behalf of my partner, who has been in Hong Kong for over 6 years. He’s coming up to his 7th year of continuous residency, and […] Keep Reading...>

April 18th, 2020

First Published July 9, 2016 The modern, connected economy throws up myriad ways for people to organize their lives and business affairs and, as can be seen from this great question, how might ImmD respond to an application for the Right of Abode where an internet entrepreneur bases himself here with his family but they […] Keep Reading...>

April 16th, 2020

Change my Hong Kong visa? This question is less either / or from an immigration perspective but more an issue of full time entrepreneur or not… QUESTION Hi Stephen, I am currently already on an employment visa (valid for two more years) and would like to start my own company too. My current employer is […] Keep Reading...>

April 14th, 2020

First Published June 29, 2015 What can you do to extend your family’s dependant visa when your job is coming to an end… QUESTION I currently have a Hong Kong dependent visa, my husband being my sponsor.  Both our visas run out on the 30th July 2015.  My husband has resigned from his post and we […] Keep Reading...>

April 12th, 2020

How do you go about demonstrating to the Hong Kong Immigration Department that your relationship is a genuine one as you apply for a Hong Kong dependant visa? QUESTION I have a question about the interplay between marriage and subsequently obtaining a Hong Kong dependant visa. Our situation is as follows: I am professional with […] Keep Reading...>

April 9th, 2020

Is there are truth at all in this Hong Kong employment visa “proposition”? QUESTION I am a French national who has just moved to Hong Kong. I am finding it very difficult to understand the visa process in Hong Kong. My friend passed me your contact saying that you will surely be able to help […] Keep Reading...>

April 6th, 2020

First Published February 17, 2016 This is a Hong Kong immigration situation that happens a lot more frequently that you might imagine! Can you extend your Hong Kong dependant visa after divorce? QUESTION I would like to know if there is any possibility for me to extend my dependant/spouse visa since I am now divorced […] Keep Reading...>

April 4th, 2020

One of the really great things about the subject of Hong Kong immigration is that there is never any shortage of things to blog about and share. Every day in our professional practice, we undertake cases which provide ongoing, often entirely new, insights into how the Hong Kong Immigration Department are implementing policy and which […] Keep Reading...>

April 2nd, 2020

How can one go about swapping from a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa to a complete Hong Kong work visa? QUESTION I am a British citizen with a 1st class degree, 2 years work experience and unique language abilities. I am currently in Hong Kong on a working holiday visa and was employed at a […] Keep Reading...>

March 30th, 2020

Any chance of an employment visa to teach English in Hong Kong if you don’t have a degree? QUESTION I’m hoping to move to Hong Kong to teach English and find employment with an employer who will grant me a work visa. I’m a British, recently turned 30. I have studied 2 years Higher Education […] Keep Reading...>

March 28th, 2020

What are ImmD looking for to ensure that you are settled in Hong Kong at the time they consider your Hong Kong Permanent Residency application? QUESTION Firstly, thank you for the great service you provide. I just had two questions for you that are related. I currently have a work visa for 3 years (2-2-3). […] Keep Reading...>

March 24th, 2020

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