Approvability Test

Hong Kong Visa & Immigration Topics

Musing

QOTW: Can I Get A Hong Kong Work Visa With No Degree?

January 5th, 2026

Posted by / in Employment Visas, Musing / No responses

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 […]

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Musing

Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – The Reality For Entrepreneurs Masquerading As Employees

December 14th, 2025

Posted by / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Musing / 6 responses

There really is no such thing as visa self-sponsorship if you are an entrepreneur seeking permissions to join in your own business in Hong Kong. You either work for an independent third party employer, or you are working for yourself (or possibly in partnership with one or 2 others). Let’s assume you make an application […]

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Musing

The 7 Things Your Employer Needs To Know About The Immigration Process When Applying For A Hong Kong Employment Visa

December 12th, 2025

Posted by / in Employment Visas, Musing / 6 responses

Applying for a Hong Kong Employment Visa? You’ve been offered a job in Hong Kong and you need an employment visa. But your new employer has no experience about the process, so what do you need to tell them? 1. Firstly, there’s the approvability test – namely – you need to possess special skills, knowledge […]

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Your Questions Answered

Can I Set Up A Hong Kong Company, Employ My Business Partner & Sponsor An Employment Visa For Him?

July 28th, 2025

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

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 […]

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Case Studies

The Twists And Turns Of An Unusual Hong Kong Permanent Residency Application

July 16th, 2025

Posted by / in Case Study, Investment Visas, Long Stay & PR / 10 responses

Although this case study is based on a situation I was asked to provide guidance to many years ago, its content is still relevant today.   Our client was a French national with a wife and 5 year old daughter – all of them, French citizens. He had first arrived in Hong Kong in 2004 […]

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Your Questions Answered

Can I Study Then Get Married All Whilst Holding A Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsored By A Company I No Longer Work For?

May 12th, 2025

Posted by / in Employment Visas, Long Stay & PR, Your Question Answered / 4 responses

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 employment visa for a student or dependant visa … […]

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Musing

A Harsh Decision – Why The Hong Kong Immigration Department Will Not Give My Client A Prolonged Visitor Visa

December 24th, 2024

Posted by / in Family Visas, Musing, Visitor Visas / 7 responses

Exploring the Reasons Behind Prolonged Visitor Visa Denials for Non-Traditional Couples by the Hong Kong Immigration Department I’ve written lots and lots previously about same sex partner visa applications for Hong Kong. To recap, same sex partners who are in a loving committed life partner relationship and who have cohabited previously prior to their relocation […]

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Hadley Says

What Do Both Hong Kong Employment & Investment Visa Applications Share In Common?

December 23rd, 2024

Posted by / in Employment Visas, Hadley Says…, Investment Visas / 15 responses

The approvability tests for both employment visas and investment visas, whilst fundamentally different, call for an examination of the applicant’s special skills, knowledge and experience which can be said to be of value to Hong Kong. In the case of an employment visa, the focus is squarely on the personal profile of the applicant, while in […]

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Hadley Says

Why Do The Immigration Department Prefer A Limited Liability Company To Underpin A Hong Kong Investment Visa Application?

December 20th, 2024

Posted by / in Hadley Says…, Investment Visas / 4 responses

This post deals with the reasons why the Immigration Department favors limited liability companies in the process of Hong Kong investment visa applications. Conceptually, it is possible to promote an application for a Hong Kong investment visa if you have entered into either a partnership at will or a sole proprietorship business in the HKSAR. […]

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60 Second Snapshot'

What Does It Take To Get A Hong Kong Investment Visa Approved?

December 6th, 2024

Posted by / in 60 Second Snapshot, Investment Visas / 5 responses

Securing an approval for an investment visa is one of the hardest challenges there is in the realm of Hong Kong immigration practice. Your mission is to pass the approvability test and demonstrate definitively to the Hong Kong Immigration Department that you can make a substantial contribution to the economy of Hong Kong as a […]

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