IMPACT – MEDIUM

Hong Kong authorities have modified their COVID-19 entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of July 28, those who are traveling to Hong Kong are required to complete the Health & Quarantine Information Declaration before departure.
  • After completing the health declaration, travelers will receive a QR code to show authorities when entering Hong Kong.
  • Authorities will accept QR codes that have been downloaded to smartphones, printed or screenshotted.
  • The health declaration should be completed within three days before departure; the QR code will be valid for 96 hours once the declaration has been completed.

Additional Information: Travelers must include their COVID-19 vaccination status and designated quarantine hotel booking when completing the health declaration. More information regarding Hong Kong’s entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Hong Kong authorities have announced that they will relax COVID-19 entry requirements for certain nonresident travelers.

Key Points:

  • Beginning May 1, non-Hong Kong residents will be able to enter Hong Kong as long as they adhere to its COVID-19 health policies. To be eligible to enter, individuals must:
    • Have proof that they are fully vaccinate against COVID-19.
    • Receive negative results from a pre-departure nucleic acid COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before departure.
    • Book a room at a designated quarantine hotel (DQH) for 7 nights (if opting for a shortened quarantine) or 14 nights starting on the day of arrival at Hong Kong in a DQH (not opting for a shortened quarantine).
  • Travelers will undergo additional COVID-19 testing after arriving in Hong Kong and will be transferred from the airport to their designated quarantine hotel.

Additional Information: More information regarding Hong Kong’s May 1 entry requirements is available here. Information on DQHs is available here.

BAL Analysis: Hong Kong’s decision to relax entry requirements for certain nonresidents was made due to the improving virus situation and with the intent to resume social and economic activities in Hong Kong. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Immigration Department of Hong Kong has permitted certain nonpermanent residents living outside of Hong Kong to apply for an extension of stay.

Key Points:

  • As of April 8, nonpermanent residents who are not currently living in Hong Kong and whose permits are set to expire within four months can now apply for an extension of stay if they are under one of the following programs:
    • General Employment Policy.
    • Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals.
    • Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
    • Immigration Arrangements for Nonlocal Graduates.
    • Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents.
    • Technology Talent Admission Scheme.
    • Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.
    • Residence as dependents.
    • Students enrolled in full-time study programs.
  • Eligible applicants can submit applications online through this website or through authorized representatives in Hong Kong.

Additional Information: Previously, nonpermanent residents were only permitted to apply for extensions of stay while they were living in Hong Kong. The extension of stay granted to nonpermanent residents will be valid until at least Dec. 31, 2022. More information regarding the extension of stay application for certain nonpermanent residents is available here.

BAL Analysis: Hong Kong’s decision to expand the extension of stay to certain individuals outside of Hong Kong is intended to allow those who are unable to return to Hong Kong to apply for the extension safely and conveniently. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The government of Hong Kong has updated its testing and quarantine requirements for certain travelers as of Feb. 5.

Key Points:

  • Individuals who have been in mainland China or Macao within 14 days of intended arrival must take a COVID-19 test on the third, fifth and twelfth day after arrival. Tests taken on the twelfth day must be taken at a community testing center. The testing requirement applies to individuals:
    • Arriving under the Return2hk or Come2hk program.
    • Who are fully vaccinated and subject to the seven day quarantine.
    • Who are not fully vaccinate and subject to the 14 day quarantine.
  • Hong Kong residents who have been in Taiwan within 14 days of intended arrival must quarantine at a designated hotel for 14 days and take six COIVD tests. Such travelers are required to take two additional tests on the sixteenth and nineteenth day after arrival. The nineteenth-day test must be taken at a community testing center.
    • Travelers who are not residents of Hong Kong are only allowed to return from Taiwan if they are fully vaccinated.

Additional Information: More information regarding the updated testing and quarantine requirements as well as applicable exemptions is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble (ATB) is delayed until further notice.

Key Points:

  • The ATB launch was delayed because the COVID-19 situation remains unstable in both countries.
  • Singapore and Hong Kong stated that they both remain committed to launching the ATB and continue to evaluate an appropriate launch date in relation with the public health situation.
  • The governments are set to meet in July to discuss target launch dates for the ATB.

Additional Information: Originally intended to take effect in December 2020, the ATB has been delayed multiple times due to COVID-19. Most recently, the countries had intended to open the ATB on May 26 but announced its postponement amid spikes in cases throughout the region. The ATB intends to incentivize travelers from Hong Kong and Singapore to get vaccinated. Once it is launched, vaccinated individuals will be able to travel to and from Hong Kong and Singapore with minimal restrictions.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The government of Hong Kong will expand its quarantine and testing protocols for travelers arriving from Taiwan.

Key Points:

  • Effective May 17, all travelers who have stayed in Taiwan within 14 days of intended departure must present a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours before boarding, and they must show confirmation of a room reservation at a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong.
  • Travelers will be subject to the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival to confirm the negative PCR test result and then will be shuttled to their designated quarantine hotel.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to the 21-day quarantine and undergo four COVID-19 tests throughout the isolation period.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals will be required to quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels and undergo three COVID-19 tests. Following this, they must complete a seven-day self-monitoring period and complete testing on day 16 and 19 of arrival in Hong Kong.

Additional Information: Under the current relevant requirements, non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry into the region.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

The governments of Hong Kong and Singapore have announced that designated flights under the bilateral Air Travel Bubble (ATB) arrangement will begin May 26.

Key Points:

  • The two governments have imposed stringent restrictions on the ATB arrangement including, but not limited to:
    • ATB travelers should have no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Hong Kong 14 days prior to departure. Respective compulsory quarantine periods in Hong Kong or Singapore arising from the traveler’s last visit outside the two countries do not count toward the 14-day period.
    • ATB travellers departing from Hong Kong to Singapore are required to download, register and use Singapores TraceTogether mobile application.
    • Individuals departing from Singapore to Hong Kong must download and use the LeaveHomeSafe mobile application and retain relevant records for 31 days after departing Hong Kong.

Additional Information: To incentivize getting vaccinated, Hong Kong citizens traveling under the ATB can only take designated flights to Singapore 14 days after receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Hong Kong and Singapore initially announced plans for an ATB in the fall of 2020. The plans were delayed in December, however, because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Analysis & Comments: The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced that British National Overseas (BNO) passports are no longer recognized as travel documents or proof of identity in Hong Kong.

Key Points:

  • Effective Jan. 31, BNO passports are no longer recognized as a travel document for immigration clearance and for local identification purposes in Hong Kong.
  • Those who have both BNO passport and HKSAR passport are required to present their HKSAR passport for boarding flights to Hong Kong.
  • Those who only have BNO passport and are not of Chinese nationality may apply for Document of Identity for Visa Purposes for travelling internationally.
  • Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards remain in use for immigration clearance and for identification purposes in Hong Kong.

Analysis & Comments: Employers with employees who only hold BNO passports and are not of Chinese nationality may wish to discuss travel document options with Deloitte to ensure their employees obtain the necessary travel documents.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

 

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Hong Kong’s government recently announced that inbound travelers from Brazil and Ireland will soon be restricted from entering Hong Kong.

Key Points:

  • Effective Jan. 23, all travelers who have been in Brazil or Ireland in the 21 days before boarding their flights to Hong Kong will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong. The same is true of travelers who have been in either of these two countries for over two hours on the same day they board their flights to Hong Kong.
  • The same restrictions came into effect Dec. 25, 2020, for travelers who stay in South Africa for the 21 days before boarding their flights to Hong Kong, or for more than two hours on the day they board their flights to Hong Kong. Flights from the U.K. to Hong Kong were banned Dec. 22, 2020. A 21-day mandatory quarantine remains in effect for travelers entering Hong Kong from outside of China.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Hong Kong Immigration Department is now accepting applications from non-permanent residents currently outside of Hong Kong who wish to return.

Key Points:

  • Non-permanent residents who are currently not in Hong Kong may submit an application for a stay extension, along with the required supporting documents, if they meet the following conditions:
    • Their stay limit expires within the next four weeks or it has been expired for less than one year.
    • They are unable to return to Hong Kong to apply for the extension of stay.
  • Applicants who meet these conditions must also provide a letter describing the reasons they are unable to return to Hong Kong to extend their stays.
  • The Hong Kong Immigration Department will issue a visa or entry permit to applicants whose applications are approved. More information about the acceptance of applications is available here.

Additional Information: Applications are not being accepted from non-permanent residents who are foreign domestic helpers and imported workers currently outside Hong Kong.

Analysis & Comments: The acceptance of applications from non-permanent residents outside Hong Kong will allow a number of the approved applicants to return to Hong Kong. Employers may wish to consult with Deloitte about the application process. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.