TL;DR

Hong Kong does not have a lottery system similar to the US H-1B; employer work visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Employers need to apply for visas for non-local employees through the General Employment Policy (GEP) or the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP). The responsibilities employers must bear include: ① proving that the position cannot be filled by a local person, ② paying a reasonable market salary, and ③ bearing responsibilities during the employee’s visa period (for example, notifying the Immigration Department and paying repatriation costs if the employee is dismissed). The application fee is approximately HK$230, and the processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks. This article explains all the responsibilities and costs from the employer’s perspective.

1. What visas can employers apply for?

  • General Employment Policy (GEP): Non-Mainland professionals · Relevant degree or technical qualification plus work experience
  • Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP): Mainland professionals · As above (designed specifically for Mainland residents)
  • Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS): Technology professionals (AI, blockchain, data analytics, etc.) · Employer must be a qualifying technology company

2. What do employers need to prove?

2.1 Local recruitment efforts

Employers need to prove that they have tried to hire locals but without success. Common forms of evidence:

  • Placing recruitment advertisements on JobsDB / CTgoodjobs / the Labour Department, etc. (at least 2 weeks)
  • Interview records (showing that locals applied but did not meet the requirements)
  • Company statement (explaining why overseas talent is needed)

Reality: This requirement is relatively easy to satisfy for professional positions (for example, a company may say it needs a specific programming language with 5 years’ experience plus certain industry knowledge).

2.2 Salary requirements

The salary must be “reasonable” and in line with market levels. The Immigration Department will refer to:

  • Industry median salary
  • The applicant’s experience and qualifications
  • Company size and industry

You cannot offer a “cheap salary” to hire foreign workers. If a job pays locals a market rate of HK$30,000 but you offer HK$18,000, the Immigration Department will raise questions.

  • May only employ in the position stated in the application: You cannot be hired to switch to another type of work after entering Hong Kong
  • Pay repatriation costs: If you are dismissed / the contract ends, the employer must pay your travel expenses back to your place of origin
  • Notify the Immigration Department: The employer must notify the Immigration Department in writing within 7 days if the employee resigns / is dismissed
  • Salary payment: Must be paid at the salary stated in the application
  • Accommodation / livelihood security: There is technically no mandatory accommodation requirement, but the Immigration Department will consider whether the employee’s living arrangements in Hong Kong are reasonable

employer sponsorship, work visa, company hiring, international talent, recruitment

4. Employer costs

  • Visa application fee: HK$230
  • Legal fees (if applied through a law firm): HK$5,000-15,000 (not mandatory; can be applied for by yourself)
  • Recruitment advertising costs (if required): HK$0-2,000
  • Time cost: Administrative time of approximately a few hours (preparing documents + follow-up)
  • Repatriation costs (if any): Air ticket approximately HK$2,000-10,000

5. Persuading an employer to provide you with visa sponsorship

  • Emphasise irreplaceability: Your skill set is hard to find in the local market
  • Demonstrate concrete contributions: What specific results you can bring after joining (revenue growth / technical breakthroughs, etc.)
  • Alleviate the employer’s concerns: Express that you will not job-hop in the short term and are willing to sign a long-term contract
  • Be transparent about costs: Let the employer know that the application fee is only HK$230 and there is no need to go through a law firm

6. FAQ

Q1: Can an employer require the employee to pay the visa application fee themselves? A1: There is no legal prohibition, but the Immigration Department will treat “employee-funded applications” as a red flag (the employer should bear the cost). It is advisable not to proactively offer to pay yourself.

Q2: If dismissed, can you stay in Hong Kong to look for a new job? A2: Yes, but you need to find a new employer to re-apply for a work visa for you within a short period (usually within 14-28 days), or switch visa type (for example, to the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)). If you overstay, you will be repatriated.

The information in this article is current as of May 2026; visa policies are subject to the latest announcements by the Immigration Department.