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One team for immigration, setup and HR
Unlike traditional immigration agencies, we handle your visa applications, company incorporation and HR needs through a single point of contact — so you can focus on growing your business in Hong Kong.
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Students who enrol full-time for at least 6 months may apply for a Hong Kong student visa. Approval is subject to assessment by the Immigration Department.
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Bespoke solutions
Almost any destination, departing from Hong Kong
We can arrange tailored visa solutions for destinations not listed here. Whether you're relocating, expanding into new markets or arranging travel for your team — speak with us to explore your options.
Talent & Graduate
Points-based scheme for high-calibre talent
For top earners and elite university graduates
Dedicated admission scheme for technology and R&D sector professionals
Stay and work after graduating in Hong Kong
Study & Training
For full-time study at accredited institutions
For internships and employer-sponsored training
Investment & Business
For founders establishing a business in Hong Kong
→ Pairs with company registration, HR setup & company secretary
For qualifying asset holders investing in Hong Kong
→ Pairs with business registration & HR & Compliance
Other Stays
For spouses and children of visa holders
Short-stay visits and transit through Hong Kong
For frequent business travellers to Hong Kong
Required pre-clearance for Indian passport holders
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Find the right visa for you
Our consultants will identify the right scheme for your situation and guide you through every step of the documentation process.
Visas Overview →
Mainland Talents
& Professionals
The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, or ASMTP, allows Chinese residents of Mainland China to enter or remain in Hong Kong for employment or training under a work permit or a training visa. Unlike the Top Talent Pass Scheme, it is employer-sponsored, so the application rests on both the candidate's qualifications and the company offering the role. It also asks for considerably more documentation than most other schemes. Whether you are a Mainland professional moving to Hong Kong or an employer bringing one in, this guide explains how the scheme works and how we manage it from first analysis to visa collection.
ASMTP at a Glance
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals — Key Facts
Who it suits
Chinese residents of Mainland China with skills not easily found locally
Sponsorship
Employer sponsored
Job offer
Required, under a valid employment contract
Company assessed
Yes, the employer forms part of the decision
Documentation
Heavy, more than most other schemes
Processing
Four to six weeks, decided by the Immigration Department
Initial validity
One year, renewable or extendable
Dependents
Partners, children, and parents may apply
Pathway
Time counts toward the seven years for Right of Abode if status is maintained
Service fee
HKD 9,680 for a new application
The government charges a HK$600 application fee. Upon the approval of your application, you must pay an additional visa issuance fee, which is either HK$600 (for visas valid up to 180 days) or HK$1,300 (for visas valid for 181 days or more)
Not sure whether the ASMTP or another route is a better fit for the hire? You can check eligibility or book a consultation with our team to plan the next step.
Who the ASMTP Is For
For Applicants
If you are a Chinese resident of Mainland China with skills, knowledge, or experience that are not readily available in the Hong Kong job market, the ASMTP provides a route to work or train in the city under a genuine employment contract. Note that the scheme does not apply to Mainland residents who graduated with an undergraduate degree or higher qualification from a Hong Kong full-time, locally accredited program.
For Employers
If you want to hire a Mainland professional whose expertise is hard to source locally, the ASMTP is your route, and you are the sponsor. The decision rests partly on your company, so your business stands behind the application alongside the candidate. Because the scheme is documentation-heavy, most employers bring us in to manage the sponsor side from the start.
Eligibility Criteria for the ASMTP
For Applicants
To qualify for a work permit under the ASMTP, you must:
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Have no past record of serious offenses or crimes, and no security objections.
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Be educationally qualified for your profession, with skills, knowledge, or experience that are not easily found in the Hong Kong job market.
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Hold a valid employment agreement or contract that clearly states the job title, job description, remuneration, and contract period.
Remember that the scheme excludes Mainland residents who completed an undergraduate or higher qualification through a Hong Kong full-time, locally accredited program.
For Employers
Your company is assessed as part of the application, so eligibility is not solely the candidate's. You need to offer a real role under a clear written contract and be able to demonstrate why the position requires skills not readily available in the local market. A well-prepared sponsor case helps the application move smoothly, and that's where our experience on the company side pays off.
Entry of Dependants Under the ASMTP
If you or your employees are relocating with family, partners, children, and parents may be able to join through a Hong Kong dependent visa. We handle these applications alongside the main work permit, so the whole household moves together. Each dependent visa application carries an additional fee, listed in the fees section below.
Processing Time and Approval
The standard processing time for an employment visa under the ASMTP is four to six weeks, and it is handled by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR. Approval is determined by the applicant's qualifications and work experience, as well as by the employing company. The Director of Immigration reserves the right to approve or reject any application, and processing time and the final decision rest with the Department. If an application is unsuccessful, an appeal can be filed with the authorities. An approved visa is usually valid for one year and can be extended or renewed.
Benefits of the ASMTP
For Applicants
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A legal route to live and work in Hong Kong from the Mainland.
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An initial one-year stay that can be renewed or extended.
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The option to bring dependents with you.
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Time under the ASMTP counts toward the seven years of continuous ordinary residence needed for the Right of Abode, provided your status is maintained throughout.
For Employers
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Access to Mainland talent whose skills are scarce in the local market.
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A way to fill specialist roles that are hard to hire for in Hong Kong.
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Renewable terms that let you retain talent beyond the first year.
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A single managed process that keeps your sponsor obligations clear and on time.
Documents and Requirements
For Applicants
ASMTP applications require more documentation than most other schemes, so preparing early matters. You will typically provide:
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A passport valid well beyond your intended stay.
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Accurately and truthfully completed application forms.
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Your signed employment agreement or contract, stating job title, description, remuneration, and contract period.
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Educational certificates and any professional qualifications relevant to your role.
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A detailed resume or curriculum vitae.
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Evidence supporting the skills, knowledge, or experience behind your application.
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Proof of accommodation arrangements in Hong Kong.
For Employers
As the sponsor, your company supplies the supporting case for the role. That usually includes company registration and standing documents, the employment contract, a description of the position and its requirements, and material that helps justify why the skills are not easily found locally. We assemble and check this sponsor pack with you so it stands up to review the first time.
ASMTP Versus the Top Talent Pass Scheme
A Mainland professional can sometimes qualify for more than one route, so employers often weigh the ASMTP against the Top Talent Pass Scheme. The core difference is who carries the application and the liability.
If you need a Mainland hire working before a visa is finalised, our Employer of Record service can onboard a new hire compliantly within 48 hours, with ongoing HR compliance support to keep everything in order afterwards. However, please note that our EOR services do not accelerate the issuing of international employees visas.
The Application Process Step by Step
For Employers
Your involvement centers on the sponsor case rather than the filing itself. You provide the company documents and the signed contract, and we prepare the justification for the role. Your business is then evaluated alongside the candidate during processing. Plan the start date around the four-to six-week window, and keep one point in mind for later: if the employee changes employment, a new Hong Kong employment visa is required for both the worker and the new employer. We flag and manage that whenever it arises.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
For Applicants
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Incomplete or inaccurate documentation, which is a frequent cause of delay, given how much the ASMTP requires.
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A weak or inconsistent employment contract that does not clearly state the role and terms.
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Failing to provide evidence that your skills are not easily found in the local market.
For Employers
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A thin justification for why the role cannot be readily filled locally.
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Missing or outdated company documents in the sponsor pack.
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Contract terms that do not align with the candidate's stated qualifications.
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Forgetting that any later change of employment triggers a fresh visa application.
A short review with us before submission removes most of these risks on both sides.
How We Support ASMTP Applications
For Applicants
You work with a single dedicated consultant who manages your case end to end, liaising with you, your Hong Kong employer, and the Immigration Department so communication stays simple. We understand that ASMTP applications demand far more documentation than other schemes, and we handle that complexity for you. Our work is backed by deep experience across complex ASMTP cases. A service fee refund may apply under our stated terms, and the final decision on any visa rests with the Immigration Department.
For Employers
We take the sponsor burden off your team. That means assembling and checking your company documentation, framing the role and the local market case, coordinating dependants, and managing renewals and any change of employment down the line.
If you need someone working before a visa is finalised, our Employer of Record service can onboard a new hire compliantly within 48 hours, with ongoing HR compliance support to keep everything in order afterwards. However, please note that our EOR services do not accelerate the issuing of international employees visas.
What Makes Us a Trusted Partner
We have built our reputation on managing complex Hong Kong work and training visa cases for Mainland clients, and a few things define how we work.
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Deep experience. Many years handling ASMTP applications, where the documentation load is heaviest.
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One point of contact. A single experienced agent manages your case and coordinates with all parties, keeping communication clear.
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An organized, transparent process. We move cases forward without surprises.
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Care at every stage. From the first analysis to collecting the approved visa, we treat each case seriously.
Disclaimer: We are a private Immigration consultancy that supports individuals and businesses with Hong Kong relocation and Immigration. This is not a government website, and we are not affiliated with the Hong Kong Government or the Immigration Department of the HKSAR. If you prefer not to use a consultancy, you can apply directly to the relevant authority without paying additional fees.
ASMTP Visa Service Fees
*Fees do not include overseas courier costs, certified translation, or company incorporation.
Special offers: 10% off for every 10 applications. For corporate rates, contact us for a quotation. You can review everything on our service fees page.