All-in-one partner
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.
Hong Kong's multicultural character is one of its greatest advantages. Our full-time language courses deepen your connection to the city.
Building the cultural fluency, local relationships and communication skills that make a real difference to your life and career here.
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.
Speak the language of Hong Kong — connect with colleagues, clients and neighbours the way locals do
Build relationships across Greater China and open doors to mainland business opportunities
Communicate with confidence in one of Asia's most international cities
Command professional English for meetings, negotiations and client communication in Hong Kong
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Connect with Hong Kong
Our courses are taught in a fully immersive environment by qualified instructors — giving you the cultural confidence and language skills to thrive in one of Asia's most dynamic cities.
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 →
For Visa Applicants Looking to
Work in Hong Kong
How Do You Start Working in Hong Kong?
Taking up a role in Hong Kong starts with the right visa, and the right visa depends on who you are, what you do and who is hiring you. The Hong Kong Immigration Department runs more than a dozen routes that allow foreign nationals to live and earn an income in the city, from the General Employment Policy to the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Investment as Entrepreneurs route.
At Hong Kong Visa Services, we help professionals and founders prepare and submit the visa application that fits their situation, from the first eligibility check through to entry permit collection and Hong Kong Identity Card registration.
If you are an employer looking to sponsor a foreign hire, see our [hiring foreign talent in Hong Kong page] instead.
General Eligibility for Working in Hong Kong
Foreign nationals who want to work in Hong Kong apply under one of several admission schemes run by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, including the Employment Visa (GEP), ASMTP, IANG, the Top Talent Pass Scheme, QMAS, the Training Visa and the Investment Entrepreneur Visa. Each scheme has its own rules, but most share the following general requirements for the applicant.
What You Need to Apply
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A clean personal background with no serious offences or security objections
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Qualifications, certifications or skills that match the route you are applying under
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For employer sponsored routes, a signed contract setting out job title, duties, salary and contract period
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For talent schemes, the academic, income or graduation evidence the relevant scheme assesses
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For the Investment Entrepreneur Visa, a credible business plan, evidence of capital and an active role in the business
What We Help You With
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Identifying the visa route that fits your profile
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Building a document checklist tailored to your nationality and case
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Drafting application forms, personal statements and sponsor coordination letters
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Submitting your file to the Hong Kong Immigration Department
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Following up on any queries from immigration officers
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Guiding you through entry permit collection and Hong Kong Identity Card registration
Important Notes:
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Eligibility rules can change, and the Immigration Department may ask for further documents on a case by case basis.
Types Of Visas That Allow You To Work In Hong Kong
The Immigration Department does not issue a single visa called a "work permit". Instead, it operates a set of admission schemes, each with its own eligibility criteria, sponsor requirements and length of stay. Choosing the right route is the most important decision in the process, because the wrong category can mean a refusal, a slower timeline or a visa that does not give you the rights you need on the ground.
The GEP is the standard pathway for foreign professionals taking up paid employment with a Hong Kong sponsor.
Applicants need a confirmed job offer, qualifications and experience that match the position, and a sponsoring employer in Hong Kong that can show the role cannot be readily filled from the local workforce.
The TTPS is open to two groups: graduates of top global universities, and individuals with significant annual income.
Successful applicants receive a stay of up to two or three years depending on their tier, with the freedom to take up employment, switch employers or start a business without further visa applications during that period.
The QMAS is a points based route for skilled professionals who want the right to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a sponsor.
The Immigration Department scores applicants on age, education, work experience, language ability and family background.
The ASMTP mirrors the GEP but is specifically for Mainland Chinese nationals taking up employment in Hong Kong. The criteria, documents and sponsor obligations are broadly similar, with additional requirements around the applicant's Mainland identity documents.
The scheme is popular with Hong Kong employers that recruit from Mainland universities or transfer staff from sister offices.
IANG is the route for foreign and Mainland graduates who complete a full time programme at a recognised Hong Kong institution.
Recent graduates can apply within six months of their graduation date without needing a job offer, which gives them time to find a role in Hong Kong. Once employed, future renewals follow the rules attached to the IANG track rather than the GEP.
Founders and investors who plan to establish or join a Hong Kong business apply through the Investment Entrepreneur Visa.
The Immigration Department reviews the business plan, the level of investment, the sector, the number of local jobs created and the wider contribution to the economy.
This route is for high net worth individuals who want to settle in Hong Kong through passive investment rather than running a business.
Applicants must invest a minimum of HK$30 million in permissible assets, including a minimum of HK$27 million in financial assets and/or real estate (real estate capped at HK$10 million), plus HK$3 million placed into the CIES Investment Portfolio. No job offer or sponsor is needed, and dependents can be brought along.
This visa is for non local students admitted to a full time, locally accredited post secondary programme. The visa covers the approved duration of study and requires proof of funds and an admission letter rather than a sponsor.
Under a current pilot exemption, full time non local undergraduate students are temporarily exempt from the usual restrictions on part time work during their studies, which means students can take on part time jobs while enrolled instead of being limited to on campus or curriculum related work only.
This visa is for the spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 of someone already holding a valid Hong Kong visa or right to reside (for example an Employment Visa, Top Talent Pass, or CIES holder).
The sponsoring relative must support and accommodate the dependents, and dependents admitted this way are generally free to take up employment or study in Hong Kong without a separate work visa.
Comparing the Main Routes to Work in Hong Kong
Things You Should You Know Before Applying A Visa To Come Work In Hong Kong
If you want to come work in Hong Kong, you must prepare your documents before the visa application. Most Hong Kong visa applications stand or fall on the document pack, so start gathering early.
A typical applicant needs:
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Passport with at least six months validity beyond arrival
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Original academic certificates and transcripts
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Reference letters covering the last ten years of work
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Police clearance certificates from each country you have lived in
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Recent payslips, tax returns or income evidence for talent schemes
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Marriage and birth certificates for any Dependent Visa applications
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A signed contract for GEP, ASMTP or Training Visa cases
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A business plan and proof of capital for the Investment Visa
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Certified translations of any document not in English or Chinese
Some overseas documents need to be authenticated or legalised before the Immigration Department will accept them, which is worth checking early.