With effect from 17 January 2025, the Hong Kong Immigration Department requires applicants applying for entry visas/permits under the below-noted admission policies/schemes, to submit their initial and extension of stay applications online.1
1 General Employment Policy (including both employment and investment as entrepreneurs)
2 Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals
3 Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
4 Training
5 Working Holiday Scheme
6 Residence as Dependants.
The expansion of electronic submission is a welcome step towards modernising the application process, reducing paper forms, and in-person visits. In general, this should lighten the administrative burdens of in-house and external global mobility professionals in charge of immigration matters and in-house and external immigration counsel, and of individual applicants.
The Immigration Department will no longer accept the aforementioned applications submitted in person, by mail, or through drop-in-box. The eligibility and criteria for the relevant policies/schemes are not impacted by this change.
After submitting their applications, applicants may upload supplementary documents and/or inquire as to the application’s status online where necessary.
Employers may wish to revisit their Hong Kong immigration workflows/processes to determine where adjustments may be necessary in order to foster a smooth transition to the latest requirements. Both the applicant and the employer’s authorised signatory will be required to access the online service to sign and submit applications.
KPMG in Hong Kong will continue to monitor these developments.
Should you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your usual qualified immigration adviser or a member of the immigration team with KPMG in Hong Kong (see the Contacts section).
1 Immigration Department, "Immigration Department further promotes electronic services for visa applications" (14 January 2025).
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Hong Kong.
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