Understanding Hong Kong Immigration: A Comprehensive Guide

Hong Kong has been a desired destination for Indians because of its free economy and the low tax regime. Hong Kong is aiming to double its number of Indians. In 2023, around 2.8 lakh Indians visited Hong Kong. Other than that, Hong Kong offers fantastic work-related opportunities. Currently, the population of Hong Kong consists of 75.4 lakhs (2023), out of which there are around 44,140 Indians. There are different ethnic people as well. ?The table below represents the breakdown of nationality that composes the Hong Kong population:

With a modern and prosperous working environment, Hong Kong is among the wealthiest countries in the world. The Local language of Hong Kong is Cantonese. However, English is the most common language, which doesn’t create a language barrier for foreign nationals.

Hong Kong has ranked 11th in the annual ranking of economic performers. Hong Kong claims the number one spot for International efficiency and infrastructure, ranking seventh and ninth, respectively.

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Types of Hong Kong Visas

There are different types of visas to migrate to Hong Kong as an Indian, such as:

Hong Kong Visit visa: This is a short-term visa for foreign nationals who want to visit the country for 14-90 days.

Pre-arrival registration (PAR): This is a PRE-arrival registration (PAR), an electronic document that allows Indian passport holders to visit Hong Kong multiple times without a paper documentation visa.

Employment visa: This visa is for those seeking employment in the country.

Investment visa: This visa is for those who want to invest or start a business in Hong Kong.

Study visa: This visa is for students who want to study in Hong Kong.

Dependant visa or Dependent pass:? This visa is for family members already residing in the country with a valid work or study visa who can bring their family members to the country.

Foreign Domestic Helpers/Imported Workers visas: This visa is for foreign domestic helpers who want to work in Hong Kong resident employers.

Talent Admission visa: This is a fast-track visa program for foreign top talents who want to explore opportunities in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Training visa: This visa is for applicants who want to gain experience, knowledge, or skills in Hong Kong for up to 12 months.

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Why migrate to Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is the most selected destination for overseas Immigrants. Candidates with proper qualifications and work experience can apply for a Hong Kong visa, depending on their immigration pathway. Hong Kong has ranked in the top-most Human Development Index, ranking 7th worldwide for the highest life practicality. Hong Kong has a highly developed free-market economy. It is characterized by low taxation, with a growth of 18% year-on-year in GDP in the third quarter.

Hong Kong is one of the most flourished nations. It has the world’s 12th-largest economy and happens to be one of the wealthiest countries. Here are some of the reasons to migrate to Hong Kong:

·???????? 6.9 Million Job vacancies

·???????? Earn up to HKD 40 per hour

·???????? Low Taxes

·???????? Low cost of living

·???????? Free Economy

·???????? Free education

·???????? It is the safest country in the world

·???????? One of the top countries for transportation

·???????? Expat-friendly

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Hong Kong Work Visa: Requirements and Application Process

Hong Kong's job market is a sign of stability. Job vacancies have increased by 10% in 2024, especially in technology and Finance. 54.5% of Hong Kong's population wants to hire skilled professionals for mid- and senior-level positions.

Indian nationals can apply for different types of Hong Kong employment visas to work in Hong Kong. Below are the lists of the visas:

·???????? General Employment Policy (GEP): This is the most common type of work visa for skilled Professionals. This visa is for professionals with special skills, knowledge, or work experience unavailable in Hong Kong.

·???????? Training visa: The training option is a work visa for individuals looking to learn a skill or gain specific knowledge and want to live in Hong Kong for up to a year.

·???????? Quality migrant admission scheme: This visa applies to expats from certain professions who want to relocate to Hong Kong. The program allows applicants from IT, financial, legal, and creative individuals who do not have an existing job offer. The highly skilled or talented professional must score minimum points to apply for the scheme.

·???????? Hong Kong Talent Admission Scheme visa: This visa attracts top foreign nationals with work experience who can earn a high wage to benefit the country.

·???????? Immigration arrangements for non-local graduates: This visa is for foreign nationals with a degree from Hong Kong. The visa can be availed for 6 months of graduation, which allows them to stay in the city for up to a year to look for local employment.

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Eligibility Criteria to apply for a Hong Kong work visa

Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Hong Kong work visa:

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• Offer letter
• Education qualification
• Criminal record
• Valid passport
• Language Proficiency in Cantonese or English

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Requirements to apply for a Hong Kong work visa

Below are the requirements to apply for a Hong Kong work visa:

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• Valid Passport
• Confirmed Job offer
• Proof of Educational Qualification
• Offered a salary equivalent to Hong Kong market value
• Complete application form
• Work experience
• Woking conditions are the same as Hong Kong locals

·???????? Lack of employees to fill the occupation

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How to apply for a Hong Kong Work visa?

To apply for a Hong Kong works visa, it is necessary to follow the step-by-step procedure:

Step 1: Choose the type of work visa

Step 2: Gather all the requirements

Step 3: Submit the documentation

Step 4: Apply for the visa

Step 5: Wait for the visa

Step 6: Migrate and work in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Job Market: Opportunities for International Professionals

Hong Kong is hiring new employees in the last few months of 2024, as hiring has increased in most sectors compared to the previous quarter of 2023. According to the Employment Outlook survey, which surveyed 532 Hong Kong employers, 39% employee have received an increment in their payroll. ?

Top 10 high-paying jobs in Hong Kong in 2024

Source:?Talent site

Read more…

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Hong Kong Investment visa

Hong Kong is a top global city because of its business-friendly environment. It is characterized by minimum government intervention, low taxation, free port trade, and a highly internationalized and modernized financial market.

The city's service-oriented economy (with services accounting for more than 90 percent of its GDP) is mighty in financial services, international trade, and tourism. Additionally, it has strong economic links to Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region's other major economies. Hong Kong was third in the World Bank Group's Latest Ease of Doing Business.

Hong Kong investment visa scheme introduced new pathways to invest and gain residency in the country, such as:?

·???????? Employment Investment visa: This visa is for foreign nationals who want to invest or start a business in Hong Kong. The company should benefit the country's local economy.

·???????? Entrepreneur visa: This visa is for foreign nationals with PRs from other countries who want to work in their firm in Hong Kong.

·???????? Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES): The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is for applicants who want to gain residency by investing in approved assets in the country.

Eligibility Criteria to apply for a Hong Kong Investment visa

Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Hong Kong investment visa:

·???????? Have a clean criminal record

·???????? Good educational background

·???????? Aged above 18 years

·???????? Net assets of at least HK$10,000,000

·???????? Provide job opportunities to the local people

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Requirements to apply for a Hong Kong Investment visa

To apply for a Hong Kong Investment visa, it is necessary to fulfill these requirements:

·???????? Have a proper business plan

·???????? Sufficient funds to invest

·???????? Must be nominated by a local sponsor

·???????? Proof of education qualification

·???????? Total number of jobs opportunities created for local markets

·???????? Valid passport

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How to apply for a Hong Investment visa?

Below mentioned is the step-by-step procedure to apply for a Hong Kong visa:

Step 1: Gather all the required documents

Step 2: Submit all the documentation

Step 3: Choose the type of visa

Step 4: Apply for the visa

Step 5: Migrate to Hong Kong

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Study in Hong Kong

In 2019, Hong Kong was ranked 8th in the QS as one of the best student cities in 2024, with the top education system for international students. Hong Kong has 13 internationally recognized universities in the top 100 worldwide. More than 30,123 students are currently in the country.

Hong Kong offers scholarships to post-secondary institutions and other organizations that provide International students with opportunities. After completing their studies, international students can apply for multinational corporations, start-ups, and entrepreneurial ventures that will help them gain work experience from diverse industries and expand their networks. Hong Kong offers significantly lower tuition fees than Western countries.

TOP QS ranking Universities of Hong Kong 2024

Below are the top universities to rank in the top QS rankings:

Hong Kong has some of the best courses to study in the country, such as:

·???????? Study Law in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Accounting in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Medicine in Hong Kong

·???????? Studying finance in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Psychology in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Engineering in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Designing in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Sociology in Hong Kong

·???????? Study Computer Science in Hong Kong

Eligibility to apply for a Hong Kong student visa

To be eligible for a Hong Kong student visa, they must meet the following criteria:

·???????? Must be accepted into a recognized educational institution

·???????? Sufficient funds

·???????? Must be aged above 18

·???????? Have a clean criminal record

·???????? Have a valid travel document

·???????? Complete and sign the application form

·???????? Proof of English language, either IELTS or TOEFL

Requirements to apply for a Hong Kong student visa

To apply for a Hong Kong Student visa, it is necessary to fulfil the following requirements:

·???????? Have an offer of admission from a recognized Hong Kong university

·???????? Form ID 995A

·???????? Proof of funds

·???????? Valid passport

·???????? Education qualifications

·???????? Proof of English language: IELTS or TOEFL

·???????? Health Insurance?

How to apply for a Hong Kong Student visa?

To apply for a Hong Kong Student visa, it is necessary to follow the step by step procedure:

Step 1: Fill the application form

Step 2: Get an Admission letter

Step 3: Apply for the student visa

Step 4: Wait for the visa

Step 5: Migrate and study in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Talent Admission Scheme visa

The Talent Admission Scheme, also called the Top Talent Pass scheme, is a visa program for top foreign talents with work experience and good academic qualifications who want to migrate to Hong Kong.

This program was launched in December 2022 to attract foreign nationals to the country. This program offers a two-year visa without the requirement for prior employment. Applicants who apply through this scheme do not require an offer of employment in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. They will be granted a 30-month/24-month stay in the country offer. With this visa, applicants can also bring their dependents to the country. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is designed to attract:

·???????? High earning professionals

·???????? Top university Alumni

·???????? Applicants with work experience

Applicants can choose from three programs that these schemes provide:

Category A: Applicants with an income reaching HK$2.5 million or equivalent in foreign currency in employment or business can apply for this category.

Category B: Applicants who are degree graduates from an eligible university with at least three years of work experience in five years can apply for this category

Category C: Applicants who have been degree graduates from an eligible university in the past five years with three years of work experience and are subjected to an annual quota allocated for the first time and on a first-serve basis can apply for this category. However, non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate qualification in a full-time and locally accredited program in HKSAR are not allowed to participate in this program.

Eligibility Criteria to apply for Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS):

·???????? Must be an applicant from any of the three category

·???????? Have an annual income of at least HK$2.5 million or equivalent

·???????? Be a graduate of any top 100 universities

Requirements to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme

An applicant must fulfill the requirements to apply for a Top Talent Pass Scheme visa:

·???????? Applicant must be from an eligible country

·???????? Valid passport

·???????? Bachelor degree

·???????? Other educational qualification

·???????? Proof of work experience

·???????? Proof of annual income of HK$2.5 million or equivalent

·???????? Letter of consent from the present working department

How to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme?

Here is the step-by-step procedure to apply for a Top Talent Pass scheme visa:

Step 1: Check your eligibility for the visa

Step 2: Gather all the required documents

Step 3: Submit the application form

Step 4: Apply for the scheme

Step 5: Wait for the confirmation

Step 6: Migrate and work in Hong Kong

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Hong Kong Dependent visa or Dependent Pass

As of 2024, the population of Hong Kong is estimated to be 7,531,800, around a 0.1% increase from the end of 2023. Hong Kong has a total population makes up around 1% of Hong Kong's population as of 2024.

Hong Kong offers a Dependent visa, or Dependent Pass, to relocate family members of the foreign national to live in the country with them. Candidates with a valid Employment visa, Investment visa, or PR holder can bring their family members.

Candidates who qualify under the Dependant pass are:

·???????? Spouses or common-law-partner

·???????? Unmarried children aged under 18

·???????? Parents aged 60 or above

Types of Dependent Pass

Below are the types of Dependent passes:

·???????? Spouse-dependent pass visa: A Spouse-dependent pass visa is designed for legally married partners working in Hong Kong. Through this visa, they can bring their partner with them. The spouse is allowed to engage in any lawful employment or studies.

·???????? Child-Dependant Pass visa: A Child-Dependent Pass visa is for children below 18 years who can accompany their parents in Hong Kong. This visa allows the children to stay with their family until they turn 18 or complete their studies.

·???????? Dependent Pass: The Dependent Pass is for elderly parents aged 60 or above to stay with their children in the country.

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Eligibility Criteria to apply for a Hong Kong Dependent Pass???

Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Hong Kong Dependent pass:

·???????? Valid passport

·???????? Proof of relationship

·???????? The sponsor must be a Hong Kong PR or have a valid visa for employment, investment, training, or study

·???????? Sufficient funds

·???????? Proof of accommodation

·???????? Must be an immediate family member of the sponsor

·???????? Character certificate

Requirements to apply for a Hong Kong Dependent visa

To apply for a Hong Kong Dependant Pass, an applicant must provide the following criteria:

·???????? Marriage certificate

·???????? Valid travel documents

·???????? Birth Certificate

·???????? Sponsor must be in Hong Kong

·???????? Sufficient funds to support your family

·???????? Good character certificate

·???????? Proof of residential place

How to apply for a Hong Kong Dependent visa?

An applicant can apply for a Hong Kong Dependent visa through these steps-by-step procedure:

Step 1: Gather all the documentation

Step 2: Submit the application

Step 3: Apply for the visa

Step 4: Wait for the visa

Step 5: Migrate to Hong Kong

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Different Pathways to apply for Permanent Residency in Hong Kong

To gain a Hong Kong PR, one must reside in the country for seven consecutive years. Here are some pathways that offer long-term residency and allow to gain permanent residency.

There are different pathways to gain Permanent residency in Hong Kong:

General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa

This is the most common working visa pathway for foreign nationals to gain PR in Hong Kong. It is for skilled professionals with the proper skills and work experience who are ready to join a local company.

Eligibility to apply for General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa)

Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa):

·???????? Must be a graduate of Hong Kong University

·???????? Overseas graduate with unique skills

·???????? Confirm job offer from Hong Kong employer

·???????? Salary must be equivalent to other Hong Kong employer

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

This pathway is for foreign nationals or highly skilled professionals who want to enter the country on a quote-based immigration system to settle and work in Hong Kong. It is a point-based scheme that requires scoring 80/195 on the General Test or 195 points on the Achievement-Based Point Test. The points will be calculated based on age, qualification, employment history, language ability, and the number of dependents.

With this visa, an applicant is allowed to settle permanently and work in the country. After seven continuous years of residing in the country, the applicant can apply for Hong Kong citizenship.

Eligibility to apply for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

Below is the eligibility to apply for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS):

·???????? Age between 18-50 years

·???????? Bachelor or Master level degree from a recognized university

·???????? Minimum 2 years of work experience

·???????? Sufficient proof of funds

·???????? IELTS or TOFEL exam score

·???????? Score minimum points under the General Points Based Test

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

This pathway is for graduates of the world's top universities in the past five years with less than three years of work experience who want to live and work in Hong Kong permanently. The applicant doesn't need to secure employment in Hong Kong to apply for this visa.

Eligibility Criteria to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

An applicant must meet the following criteria to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS):

Must fall under any one of the categories such as:

·???????? Category A: With annual income exceeding HK $2.5 million

·???????? Category B: Graduates from Top universities with 3 years of work experience

·???????? Category C: Recent graduate from the world's top universities with less than 3 years of work experience (subject to quota)

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

The pathway is for investors who want to invest and settle in the country through the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. An applicant must choose to invest in eligible and permissible assets.

Eligibility Criteria to apply for a Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

To apply for the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), an applicant must fulfill the eligibility criteria such as:

·???????? Invest a minimum of HKD 30 million

·???????? Maintain the investment for seven years

·???????? Net assets must not be less than HKD 30 million

·???????? Investment of any assets must be HK$50 million or above

·???????? Aged above 18 years

·???????? Invest in permissible assets

?Conclusion

Hong Kong is a universal city that has gained the attention of immigrants worldwide. The country's compact size, stunning landscape, and excellent lifestyle attract most immigrants. Hong Kong has been the freest economy for 25 years.

Hong Kong is also known for its exciting possibilities across different industries, as it has many opportunities for foreign talents. Hong Kong has one of the highest GDPs in the world, at $52,687, and is famous for its financial sector. Hong Kong has more than 300,000+ employment opportunities and high-quality education opportunities

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