Hong Kong Visa & Immigration Topics

Hong Kong Immigration – The Long Stay Visitor’s Awkward Predicament

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in 60 Second Snapshot, VG Front Page, Visitor Visas / 27 responses

Long Stay Visitor? Been In Hong Kong More Than 180 Days In A One Year Given Period …     Practice Update 2026 – This content must be read in light of changes to ImmD practice since it was first published Under Hong Kong immigration control, foreign nationals who repeatedly enter the territory to maintain […]

Do I Really Need An Employment Visa If I Get 6 Months’ Visitor Status Upon Arrival Intend To Work In Hong Kong For A Maximum Of 2 Weeks?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Visitor Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

Visitor Status Upon Arrival Intend To Work In Hong Kong? Is it ever legal to work in Hong Kong – especially on a short term basis – with  Visitor status – without the permission of the Director of Immigration? Practice Update 2026 – This content must be read in light of changes to ImmD practice […]

Can I Lawfully Rent An Apartment In Hong Kong As A Frequent Visitor – What Would The Immigration Department Make Of That?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Visitor Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

Rent an Apartment in Hong Kong as a Frequent Visitor? If you find yourself often in Hong Kong as a frequent Visitor is it lawful and / or possible to rent an apartment in order to keep accommodation expenses down …     Practice Update 2026 – This content must be read in light of […]

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Foreign Nationals Working In Hong Kong – Getting Married, Changing Visas & The Immigration Status Of Children Born Here Subsequently

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Family Visas, Your Question Answered / 4 responses

So, what are the immigration implications of getting married and then having children in Hong Kong if you are a temporary resident presently holding an employment visa? QUESTION Hi, Can you please help with a few questions? 1. I am getting married next month and would like to cancel my employment visa through my employer, […]

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

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

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: This piece explores the common strategy where one partner incorporates a company to hire their co-founder under an employment visa rather than an investment visa. While the advice historically warned that ImmD scrutinizes “new business situations” and checks whether the […]

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Lame Excuses Won’t Cut It If You’re Caught Working In Hong Kong Without An Employment Visa

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, Investment Visas, Musing, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, Visitor Visas / 2 responses

Caught Working in Hong Kong Without an Employment Visa? If you’re working in Hong Kong  (paid, unpaid or temporarily transferred in) but do not have an employment visa sponsored by your current employer you are breaking the law and could be subject to 3 years imprisonment and/or up to a HKD350,000 fine. The law is very […]

Can I Sponsor Myself For Freelance Work ‘On-the-Side’ Whilst Working For My Current Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsor?

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

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 PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: The advice regarding securing ImmD permission to “join in a side business” under Section […]

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How Hard Is It To Transfer From A Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa To A Full Employment Visa?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

You know how it is… you arrive in Hong Kong for a year of fun and adventure and then you want to stay… This article deals with the transfer from a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa to a full Employment Visa. QUESTION Hi there! I’m an Australian citizen in Hong Kong, working under a working holiday visa […]

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How Does Your Prior Immigration Record In Hong Kong Impact On Future Visa Applications Here?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

So, how does your prior immigration record in Hong Kong impact on future visa applications? Do the Hong Kong Immigration Department cross-refer previous applications for a visa to current application for a visa? QUESTION Hello! I have a question regarding to my working visa. Previously I have been working in Hong Kong in the skin […]

Do You Need A Hong Kong Employment Visa If You Work For A Hong Kong Company But Not In Hong Kong?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Your Question Answered / 4 responses

Do the Hong Kong Immigration Department expect every foreign national employee of Hong Kong registered companies to have employment visas even if they have never worked (or never will work) in the HKSAR? QUESTION Is there any problem with a Hong Kong registered company employing someone currently resident in Malaysia for a role supporting one […]

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