Mainlanders want to work in Hong Kong? These are the channels you need to know

In order to ensure a sufficient working population, maintain service levels and keep the overall economy vibrant, Hong Kong actively absorbs labor from abroad. At the same time, the employment situation in the Mainland is grim, and coming to Hong Kong for employment has become an option for many.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) offers a variety of ways to apply for a working visa extension hong kong. Which one is most suitable for you? Click News has specially organized the various types of applications available in Hong Kong, let's see what your first choice is!

Highly Qualified Persons Pass Program

High-level talents with extensive working experience and high academic qualifications are the target group of High-level Talents. Applicants can choose one of the following categories to apply for the Hi-Level Talent Pass Scheme.

1. those with annual income of HK$2.5 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency) in the year immediately before application (Category A applications)

2. holders of a bachelor's degree from a top 100 university in the world with at least three years of work experience in the five years immediately preceding the date of application (Category B applicants)

3. holders of a bachelor's degree from a top 100 global university with less than 3 years of work experience within the 5 years immediately preceding the application (Category C applicants).

Among them, there is no quota restriction for Categories A and B. However, Category C is subject to annual quota restriction. However, Category C is subject to an annual quota and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, Category C applications are not applicable to non-local students pursuing full-time locally-accredited programs leading to a bachelor's degree in the HKSAR.

Talents under the HSP need not have secured employment in the HKSAR at the time of application, but must have secured employment or set up a company when applying for extension of stay.

However, it should be noted that the Highly Talented Persons Scheme can only be approved once, and if the visa is terminated, the applicant cannot apply for the Scheme again in the future.

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) aims to attract high-tech talents or outstanding talents to settle in Hong Kong. All applicants must first fulfill the basic eligibility requirements before they can apply under the "General Points Test" or "Merit Points Test".

The QMAS will have an annual quota of two years starting from January 1, 2023, and will be open to all applicants who meet the basic eligibility requirements.

Talents under the QMAS do not need to be employed by a local employer before settling in Hong Kong, nor do they need to be employed when applying for extension of stay, but they need to have a connection with Hong Kong and have made certain contribution to Hong Kong.

IANG Visa

The IANG visa is open to non-local university graduates. Fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates from Hong Kong's local institutions, as well as for fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates from campuses of Hong Kong's tertiary institutions in the Greater Bay Area, are eligible to apply. Fresh university graduates are required to submit their applications for employment in Hong Kong within 6 months from the date of graduation (the date of the diploma), while non-fresh university graduates are required to submit their applications for returning to Hong Kong for employment after 6 months from the date of graduation.

In particular, non-fresh graduates must be employed by a Hong Kong company at the time of application. When applying for extension of stay, non-local graduates / Bay Area campus graduates must be employed or incorporated.

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) is applicable to Mainland professionals who wish to enter Hong Kong for employment. The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals is open to all sectors. The main eligibility criteria for application include

1. he is really employed in a job related to his academic qualifications or work experience, and it is not easy to find a local person to take him on.

2. the remuneration package is comparable to the market level

3. good educational background, technical qualifications or proven professional experience

Talents admitted to Hong Kong under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) must have secured employment in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the time of application and must still be employed at the time of application for extension of stay. If the applicant changes employment, he must apply to the Talents and Mainlanders Section of the Immigration Department for change of employment.

Science and Technology Talent Admission Scheme

The Science and Technology Talent Admission Scheme (STATS) provides an opportunity for eligible companies to apply for admission of non-local technology personnel to Hong Kong to undertake research and development (R&D) work. Eligible companies are required to apply for a quota first. Companies issued with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) may accordingly apply for work visas/entry permits for eligible persons within the quota period of 24 months. The main eligibility criteria include

1. the employing company is issued with a valid quota by ITC at the time of submitting the application

2. the applicant is mainly engaged in research and development in the field of advanced technology

3. the applicant is a holder of a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) from a university of special recognition

4. the remuneration should be no less than the prevailing market rate for similar positions in Hong Kong

5. the applicant fulfills the specific requirements for the post as set out in the notification of quota allocation issued by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).

Talents under the Science and Technology Talent Admission Scheme must have secured employment in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the time of application. Applications for extension of stay will only be considered if the applicants still meet the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.

Supplementary Labour Scheme

The Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS) is implemented in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to process applications for importation of workers at technician level or below. Applicants should have

1. Qualifications and experience suitable for the position

2. terms of employment similar to those offered in the local market.

3. the applicant will be directly employed by the employer in the designated position

4. the employer has sufficient financial means to employ the applicant, to provide a suitable accommodation for the applicant and to ensure that the business covers the applicant's living expenses and the cost of returning the applicant to his/her place of origin upon termination of the Smart Contract.

Highly Qualified Persons Pass Program Quality Migrant Admission Scheme IANG Visa

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