Hong Kong
Employment Visa
Technical Staff

What is A Technical Professionals Stream Visa for Hong Kong?

The Technical Professionals Stream (GEP-TP) Visa is a Working Visa under Hong Kong's General Employment Policy that allows skilled technical professionals to have the rights to land and stay, as well as legally work in Hong Kong for the duration of the GEP-TP Visa, which is granted by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Under the current immigration policy, a total quota of 10,000 Technical Professionals are admitted by the Immigration Department of HKSAR under this new scheme, targeting eight specific skilled trades critical to Hong Kong's economic development, as long as the working visa applicants meet all the requirements listed below.

Eligibility for A Technical Professionals Stream Visa in Hong Kong

To be eligible for a work permit application for Hong Kong, all such employment visa applications must meet the below requirements:

For the Applicant:

The GEP-TP visa applicant must be aged between 18-40 years at the time of application.
The work visa applicant should not have any past records of serious offences/crimes or security objections.
The GEP-TP applicant must have demonstrated professional qualifications and technical skills specific to one of the eight designated skilled trades on the Technical Professional List.
The employment visa applicant must also have a valid employment agreement/contract of minimum 36 months clearly stating information about job title, job description, remuneration and contract period.
The applicant must receive market-rate compensation appropriate to their skill level and trade.

For the Employing Company:

The employing company (who wishes to hire a technical professional) must prove their eligibility to sponsor foreign workers.
The employing company must have the financial ability to hire a foreign technical professional.
The employing company also has to prove that the position/role they are hiring cannot be filled by local candidates.
The company must commit to providing mandatory on-the-job training and part-time courses through recognized local organizations.

Important Notes:

The eligibility criteria for a GEP-TP visa application in Hong Kong may be subjected to change from time-to-time.
Additional criteria may be required by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong, on a case-by-case basis.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis with individual trade quotas of up to 3,000 professionals each.

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How To Apply – GEP-TP Visa Application (Processes & Procedure)

There are different forms and documents required to be submitted to the Immigration Department of HKSAR when applying for a work permit in Hong Kong:

Both the Employing Company (Sponsor) and the Working Visa Applicant each have their own list of items to be submitted.
Once all documentation has been submitted to the Immigration Department of HKSAR (the “Department”), within a few working days, the Department will issue a reference number for your Employment Visa application.
After the assigned Immigration Officer has reviewed all submitted information, he/she may ask for further information to support the Employment Visa application. An official letter will be faxed/emailed/posted by mail, to the application’s corresponding person. Such letters will have the due date/deadline printed when the additional information is to be handed in.
After the additional requested information is submitted, the Immigration Officer may generate more questions/queries, and may ask for even more information related to either the Sponsor and/or the Working Visa Applicant, until the Immigration Officer is satisfied with what he/she has received and reviewed.
For Working Visas in Hong Kong, the standard processing time by an Immigration Officer usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, however in some cases it can take up to 6 months.
An official letter will be faxed/emailed/posted by mail, to the application’s correspondence person when the Immigration Department of HKSAR has made a decision on your Working Visa application for Hong Kong.

An Approved Hong Kong GEP-TP Visa

Successful applicants receive an initial visa validity of 24 or 36 months, depending on their qualifications and trade specialization. Those with existing local professional registrations or licenses receive the longer 36-month initial stay period.

Who Can Apply for a Technical Professionals Stream Visa for Hong Kong?

Technical professionals aged 18-40 with demonstrated skills in the following eight designated trades:

Long Term Technical Employments:

New industrialization technicians in Smart/Automated Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Microelectronics Engineering
Registered nurses for healthcare facilities and residential care homes
Aircraft maintenance technicians for aviation services and airport operations
Marine services technicians for local vessel operations and port services
Information technology technicians specializing in Program Development, Network Support, or Cyber Security

Short Term Technical Employments:

Lift/escalator technicians for building maintenance and safety systems
Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordinators for construction and infrastructure projects
Electrical technicians for power systems and infrastructure development

Contact us to find out if you (as a potential GEP-TP visa applicant) or your potential employees are eligible to apply under the Technical Professionals Stream.

Who Cannot Apply for a GEP-TP Visa for Hong Kong?

Applicants over 40 years of age at the time of application
Professionals whose skills do not match the eight designated trades on the Technical Professional List
Applicants without demonstrated technical qualifications or relevant work experience
Those seeking employment contracts shorter than 36 months
Applicants with serious criminal records or security concerns

An Approved Hong Kong Employment Visa

Our Employment Visa Application Services

Our experienced immigration consultants provide comprehensive GEP-TP visa application services, including:

Eligibility assessment for both applicants and sponsoring employers
Complete application preparation and online submission
Document compilation and verification for technical qualifications
Employment contract review to ensure compliance with GEP-TP requirements
Liaison with the Immigration Department throughout the application process
Dependent visa applications for spouses and unmarried children under 18

Boötes Consulting Services Limited is an Employment Visa Agency in Hong Kong with over 10 years of experience in the immigration field. We offer our expertise and consultation services for all new Working Visa applications for Hong Kong, as well as for Working Visa renewals for Hong Kong, extensions and change of sponsor.
After we receive a case, a dedicated consultant will be appointed to look over the whole employment visa application process. Our consultants are committed to handling and coordinating all logistics for our clients’ cases for a complete peace of mind. It is most important that our consultants deal with every single case in a timely and efficient manner to avoid any delays in the application process.

Our dedicated consultants are in charge of directly contacting the sponsoring employers and working visa applicants involved, to ensure all required information and documentations are gathered by certain due dates. In special cases, it is also our duty to directly contact Officers from the Immigration Department in order to make sure all working visa applications are processed as smoothly as possible.

Services on applications for visa renewal for Hong Kong, as well as employment visa renewal for Hong Kong (extensions) are also available.

Immediate family members of the Working Visa holders can relocate to Hong Kong with a valid Hong Kong Dependent Visa.

* Disclaimer: We are a private Employment Visa Agency in Hong Kong that provides individuals and businesses with support with their Hong Kong relocation and immigration. Our immigration consultancy firm wishes to make it clear that this website is not a government website and we are not linked or affiliated with the Immigration Department of HKSAR. If you do not wish to obtain any immigration advice or representation from us, you can submit your working visa application for Hong Kong directly to the relevant government authority without paying any additional fees.

From GEP-TP Visa to Hong Kong Permanent Residency

Prior to when a GEP-TP visa expires, if the visa holder continues to work in Hong Kong in the same trade, they are required to apply for a GEP-TP Visa Renewal for Hong Kong 4 weeks prior to expiry. After seven continuous years of residence and employment in Hong Kong, technical professionals become eligible to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency. You can contact us for information and assistance regarding all GEP-TP Visa Renewals and permanent residency applications in Hong Kong.

Our GEP-TP Visa Application Service Fees

Standart GEP-TP Visa

Rush Processing

HKD 19'800*

HKD 25'800*

* Fees do not include:

Overseas courier costs.
Costs for translation with certification.
Technical qualification verification fees.
VTC training course enrollment fees.

Special Offers:

Additional HKD $4,380 for each dependent visa application.
15% off for every 5 GEP-TP visa applications from the same employer.
Free consultation for quota availability and trade-specific requirements.
For corporate rates and bulk applications, please contact our GEP-TP visa agency in Hong Kong for a quotation.

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About Getting A Hong Kong GEP-TP Visa - FAQs:

1. I am 35 years old with 10 years experience as an IT technician but no university degree. Can I apply for the GEP-TP visa?

2. Can I still apply for a GEP-TP Visa if I have not yet lined up a job in one of the eight trades?

Yes, the GEP-TP visa specifically does not require university degrees. Your extensive IT experience and technical skills in Program Development, Network Support, or Cyber Security may qualify you, provided you can demonstrate professional competency and have a qualifying employment offer from a Hong Kong employer.

Unfortunately, according to the prerequisite for the GEP-TP Visa, the applicant must already have an executed employment contract of minimum 36 months with a Hong Kong employer in one of the designated trades.

However, there are other options such as the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) or the regular General Employment Policy for degree-holding professionals. For more information about alternative schemes, please visit the dedicated pages on our website.

3. I currently hold a valid GEP-TP Visa in Hong Kong, can I take up a part-time job in a different field?

4. Does my GEP-TP Visa for Hong Kong have an expiry date? How long can I stay in Hong Kong after I have obtained it?

GEP-TP Visa holders cannot take up jobs outside of their designated technical trade without prior approval. However, they may ask the Immigration Department of HKSAR to grant them permission to do so by applying for a Change of Employment Condition. You can contact our GEP-TP Visa Agency for more information about employment condition modifications.

The GEP-TP Visa for Hong Kong has a validity of 24 to 36 months depending on your qualifications and trade category. If the GEP-TP visa holder continues working in the same trade, both the employing company and employee must apply for a GEP-TP visa renewal 4 weeks prior to the expiry date. For more information regarding GEP-TP Visa Renewals, please contact our experienced consultants.

5. What happens if my employment is terminated while on a GEP-TP visa?

6. As a Hong Kong Employer, we need skilled technicians but the local market has shortages. How can the GEP-TP help us?

If your employment contract is terminated, you must leave Hong Kong within two months from the date of termination or before your visa expires, whichever is earlier. Both you and your employer must notify the Immigration Department within 7 days of termination through the online system.

The GEP-TP was specifically designed to address skilled labor shortages in eight critical trades. If your business operates in any of these sectors and you can demonstrate that local candidates cannot fill the technical positions, the GEP-TP provides access to a global talent pool of experienced professionals aged 18-40.

7. Are there specific training requirements for GEP-TP visa holders?

8. What is the quota system and how does it work?

Yes, GEP-TP visa holders must complete mandatory on-the-job training and part-time courses through recognized local organizations such as the Vocational Training Council (VTC). These programs help professionals adapt to Hong Kong's regulatory requirements and enhance their technical skills.

The GEP-TP operates under an overall quota of 10,000 professionals with individual trade limits of 3,000 per specialized field. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is recommended. Contact our GEP-TP visa application services to check current quota availability for your specific trade.

Hong Kong Employment Visa Technical Staff