Applying for the General Employment Policy Visa in Hong Kong: Eligibility and Process

General Employment Policy Visa Hong Kong: Eligibility and Application Guide

The General Employment Policy visa Hong Kong is the standard route for skilled professionals taking up employment under a local offer. Administered by the Immigration Department, it lets non-local professionals work in Hong Kong once they satisfy specific eligibility criteria.

GEP Visa Hong Kong Requirements

An applicant must have a sponsoring employer in Hong Kong offering a genuine job. The applicant needs a degree from a recognised university. In exceptional cases, professional qualifications or relevant work experience demonstrating equivalent expertise may be accepted. The job must be one that a local person could not easily fill. The salary and benefits must be broadly comparable to the prevailing market level for the position in Hong Kong. The applicant must also meet normal immigration requirements: no criminal record and good health.

Hong Kong Employment Visa Application Process

The sponsoring employer submits the Hong Kong employment visa application to the Immigration Department on behalf of the applicant. The employer completes Form ID 990A. The applicant completes Form ID 990B.

Supporting documents include the applicant's passport copy, degree certificates, employment letters, and the company's business registration certificate. A detailed job description must also be supplied. The employer must provide evidence of financial standing, audited accounts or tax returns. The Immigration Department may request additional information during processing.

Local Labour Market Test

The sponsoring employer must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit a local person for the position and an inability to find a suitable candidate. Place a job advertisement in local media, newspapers or online job portals, for a reasonable period. The advertisement must specify the job title, duties, and required qualifications. Provide copies of the advertisement and a summary of the recruitment exercise, including the number of applicants and reasons why local candidates were not suitable. The Immigration Department may waive this requirement for senior management positions or roles requiring specialised skills in short supply in Hong Kong.

GEP Visa Processing Time

The Immigration Department aims to process applications within four to six weeks after receiving all required documents. Applications requiring additional information or verification may take longer. The clock starts only when the Immigration Department confirms receipt of a complete application. Submit applications well before the intended start date of employment.

GEP Visa for Professionals

The GEP visa for professionals targets individuals with specialised skills, technical expertise, or managerial experience. Professionals must show that their qualifications and experience are relevant to the job offered. The Immigration Department assesses academic background, professional certifications, and length of relevant work experience. An engineer with a degree in engineering and five years of industry experience would qualify. The job must require these professional skills. The employer must show the role cannot be filled locally. The GEP visa is not intended for unskilled labour or entry-level positions.

Required Documents for GEP Visa Application

The following documents are required for a GEP visa application:

• Completed Form ID 990A (employer) and Form ID 990B (applicant)
• Copy of the applicant's passport (pages showing personal details and validity)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Degree certificates and transcripts (with English translation if not in English or Chinese)
• Employment letters and reference letters from previous employers
• Detailed job description from the sponsoring employer
• Company business registration certificate and latest annual return
• Audited accounts or tax returns of the sponsoring employer
• Evidence of the local labour market test (job advertisement and recruitment summary)
• Proof of accommodation in Hong Kong (if applicable)
• Applicant's curriculum vitae

The Immigration Department may request originals or certified copies during the application process.

Conditions of Stay Under the GEP Visa

Once approved, the GEP visa restricts the holder to working only for the sponsoring employer. The visa is granted for an initial period of one to two years, renewable upon application. The holder must not take up any other employment without prior approval from the Immigration Department. Notify the Immigration Department of any change of address within 14 days. The visa holder may apply for a dependant visa for their spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18. After seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong, the visa holder may apply for the right of abode and become a permanent resident.

Visa Extension and Change of Employment

Apply for a visa extension before the current visa expires. The extension application must be supported by the sponsoring employer and must demonstrate that the employment continues and that the visa holder remains eligible. To change employment, the new employer must submit a fresh GEP visa application on behalf of the visa holder. The visa holder cannot begin working for the new employer until the Immigration Department approves the change. Notify the Immigration Department of any change in personal circumstances, such as marital status or residential address.

Distinction From Other Hong Kong Work Visa Schemes

The GEP visa is one of several work visa schemes in Hong Kong. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is designed for high-income individuals or graduates from top universities and does not require a job offer. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a points-based system for individuals who wish to settle in Hong Kong without a prior job offer. Unlike the GEP visa, both the TTPS and QMAS allow holders to change employment freely without needing a new visa application. The GEP visa is the most common route for professionals who already have a job offer from a Hong Kong employer and who meet the standard eligibility criteria. For further details on the TTPS, see the Top Talent Pass Scheme guide. For dependant visas, see the Dependant Visa guide.