Immigration News
Hong Kong Work Visa 2025: Application Steps and Common Refusal Reasons
Posted by Uni Immigration on 2025-08-28
Things to know when applying for a Hong Kong work visa 2025
Mainland Chinese traveling to Hong Kong only need to apply for an individual travel (G) or group travel (L) visa to Hong Kong and Macao, but working in Hong Kong (paid or unpaid) is an illegal worker, so they need to understand the details and procedures for applying for a Hong Kong work visa.
Nationals of about 170 countries and regions are exempted from tourist visas and can stay in Hong Kong for 7 to 180 days. If mainlanders participate in the "Individual Travel" plan, the stay cannot exceed 7 days. Therefore, if they want to work, go on business or reside in Hong Kong, they must apply for a Hong Kong work visa. The application time for a Hong Kong work visa ranges from 1 month to 9 months, depending on the method of obtaining a Hong Kong work visa.
How to apply for a Hong Kong work visa for mainlanders
If you are confident of getting hired by a Hong Kong company, if you have certain academic qualifications or experience, and possess special skills, techniques, knowledge, etc., you can apply through inputMainland Talent Plan(Hong Kong Talent Scheme) or the Technology Talent Entry Scheme, and obtain a Hong Kong work visa; if you are not sure whether you will work in Hong Kong, you can participateExcellent Talents Entry SchemeOr the high-end talent pass plan, but the requirements are higher.
As for mainland graduates who want to stay and work in Hong Kong, they must passEmployment arrangements for non-local graduates to stay/return to Hong KongObtain a Hong Kong work visa; the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated overseas can apply to return to work in Hong Kong through the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents Admission Scheme.
The above methods of obtaining a Hong Kong work visa have no industry or quota restrictions. If the application is successful, you can apply for a visa for your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18. As long as the applicant continues to reside in Hong Kong for 7 years or more, you can apply for permanent residence in Hong Kong in accordance with the law.
Remember that a trainee visa to Hong Kong is not a type of Hong Kong work visa, and you will have to be sent back to your place of origin after expiration. Therefore, if you want to work in Hong Kong, you must first cancel your trainee visa and return to your country to apply for a work visa.
For details on the above various methods of applying for a Hong Kong work visa, please see "Easily immigrate to Hong Kong in 2023｜High-end, scientific and technological talents, professionals, and talents from the Mainland are all needed in Hong Kong!」
immediatelycontactUni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultants handle Hong Kong work visas, extension applications or handle related procedures.
How long can I stay in Hong Kong after successfully applying for a work visa? How long does it take for approval?
Hong Kong work visas are generally allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 2 to 3 years for the first time, and then you need to apply for extension or renewal.
Mainland Talent Scheme (Hong Kong Talent Scheme): The period of stay is based on the "3+3+2" year model. First-time applicants can be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 36 months or according to the validity period of their employment contract (whichever is shorter). The approval time is about two to four weeks. An application to extend the period of stay may be made within four weeks before the expiration of the period of stay.
- Technology Talent Entry Scheme: The period of stay is based on the "3+3+2" model. First-time immigrants can be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 36 months or according to the validity period of their employment contract (whichever is shorter). The approval time is about four weeks.
- Employment arrangements for non-local graduates to stay/return to Hong Kong: The period of stay is usually based on the "2+3+3" year model, and those who enter Hong Kong for the first time are allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 24 months. The approval time is approximately two to four weeks.
- Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Resident Second Generation Scheme: The period of stay is usually based on the "2+3+3" year model, but it takes time to process the application. Generally, first-time visitors are allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without being subject to other conditions of stay. They can apply to extend their period of stay and pay the relevant application fee within four weeks before the expiry of their period of stay.
Hong Kong residence visa
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Generally, applicants will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong on a "3+3+2" year basis without being subject to other conditions of stay. The approval time is approximately 6 to 9 months. Application for extension of stay must be made within four weeks before the expiry of the period of stay.
- High-end talent pass plan: Generally, first-time applicants can be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 36 months (type A applications) or 24 months (type B and C applications) without being restricted by other conditions of stay. The approval time is approximately 1 to 2 months. The time for submitting an application for extension of stay has been temporarily extended from 4 weeks to 3 months before the expiry of the period of stay.
Hong Kong work visa application conditions
Information based on the Immigration Department's general employment policy.
- 18 years or older
- Application rejected without security reasons
- No criminal record
- Prove that the employing Hong Kong company does have job vacancies and that they cannot be easily filled by locals
- Have a good educational background, ideally holding at least a bachelor's degree
- Possess certain skills, techniques, knowledge, experience or achievements
- Good written and spoken skills in Chinese or English
- Remuneration and benefits are similar to Hong Kong market levels
- financial independence
Hong Kong work visa application services provided by Uni Immigration
- Face-to-face consultation on applying for a Hong Kong work visa
- Help applicants prepare required documents
- Complete all forms required by the Hong Kong Immigration Department for the applicant
- Review application documents provided by applicants and hiring companies
- Submit applications and communicate with the Immigration Department
- Monitor and regularly report application progress to applicants and employers
- Pay visa application fee
- Collect and return Hong Kong work visa to the applicant
- Assist applicants to apply for Hong Kong identity cards
The entire process starts with submitting the required documents for the application and can be completed within 4 to 8 weeks at the earliest.
immediatelycontactUni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultants inquire about the details and apply for a Hong Kong work visa.
Documents required for Hong Kong work visa
- Applicant’s academic qualifications and work certificate
- A copy of the applicant’s employment contract
- Applicant’s valid travel document (e.g. passport)
- Proof of applicant’s overseas residence (only applicable to Chinese citizens living overseas)
- Photocopy of employer’s business registration document
- Photocopies of employer’s financial documents
- Employer’s business registration certificate
If you apply under the Mainland Talent Admission Scheme (Professional Talent Scheme):
- Applicants need to submit Form ID 990A and attach a recent photo
- Employers need to submit Form ID990B
The above only lists the basic information required by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.contactUni Immigration’s Hong Kong immigration consultants find out more.
Reasons for refusal of Hong Kong work visa
As long as you meet the above conditions and follow the established procedures, you can successfully apply for a Hong Kong work visa. However, some Hong Kong work visa applicants will be rejected for the following 5 reasons:
- The application documents are incorrect:
If the Hong Kong Immigration Department discovers that the submitted information is forged or inaccurate, your visa will be refused. - Ever refused entry on security grounds:
Even if the applicant has no criminal record, he may be refused a visa if he poses a risk to Hong Kong's security. - Failure to demonstrate financial independence
Applicants who fail to prove that they can afford living expenses and accommodation expenses in Hong Kong through work may become a burden to the Hong Kong government. - Short contract period
If you are employed by a newly established company or an enterprise with questionable business, you may face the risk of short-term contract renewal (such as 1 year) or even refusal of visa. - Length of stay in Hong Kong
Although there is no explicit requirement, it is recommended to stay in Hong Kong for more than 183 days a year.
Applicants who fail to prove that they can afford living expenses and accommodation expenses through work or whose work business is unstable may become a burden to the Hong Kong government and are therefore at risk of short-term renewal or even visa rejection.
immediatelycontactUni Immigration’s Hong Kong immigration consultants, we will avoid the above situations from happening.
How to handle Hong Kong work visa when changing employers or resigning
If you change jobs or resign, the applicant and employer must notify the Hong Kong Immigration Department before starting a new job. Even if you lose your job, the applicant can stay at least until the expiration of the Hong Kong work visa.
Once you find a new company, you need to go through the procedures for changing your employer and reapply for a work visa with the new company. If the new job industry or nature is similar to the previous job, the application process will be easier. It is recommended to apply 3 to 4 months before the expiration of the old visa to give the Immigration Department some time to process the new Hong Kong work visa application.
If the applicant changes from being an office worker to setting up a company, the work visa must be changed to an investment work visa.
For questions about changing jobs, starting a business, etc. during the Hong Kong work visa period, please contact us immediatelycontactUni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultant inquiries.