Rules relaxed for certain visa programs

IMPACT — MEDIUM

Hong Kong immigration authorities recently relaxed rules for the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).

Key Points:

• Applicants who are employed by a well-established company with an annual salary of at least two million HKD do not need to provide proof of local recruitment advertisements, academic qualifications or work experience.
• Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree from a qualifying international institution do not need to provide proof of local recruitment advertisements, academic qualifications or work experience.
• Foreign nationals who were previously approved through the GEP, ASMTP, Technology Talent Admission Scheme or Quality Migrant Admission Scheme no longer need to provide proof of academic qualifications or work experience.

Additional Information: Qualifying foreign nationals living outside of Hong Kong can continue filing online extension of stay applications until June 30, 2023. More information regarding the changes is available on this website.

BAL Analysis: Hong Kong authorities relaxed rules for the GEP and ASMTP in accordance with Hong Kong’s 2022 policy address. Eligible sponsors and foreign nationals may benefit from relaxed rules for the aforementioned visa programs, leading to shorter application processes and faster adjudication times.

This alert has been provided by BAL’s Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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