Employment as prof
Hong Kong has a special work permit scheme for hiring skilled foreign employees called Employment for Professionals. Eligible applicants must have good educational qualifications and possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the Hong Kong. There is no quota system limiting the number of work visas under this scheme. Each application is assessed based on the qualifications of the applicant and the employing company. This type of work permit is normally issued for one year period initially and renewable thereafter.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. You should not have any criminal records or security objections.
2. You must possess a good educational background. Normally it is preferable to have at least an undergraduate degree in the relevant field. However, in the absence of such a degree, documentary evidence of good technical qualifications, relevant professional abilities, achievements and experience may suffice.
3. There is a genuine job vacancy at the employing company.
4. You have secured a confirmed employment offer and the job matches your academic qualifications or working experience and that the job cannot be readily taken up by the local work force.
5. The remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is in line with the prevailing market standards in Hong Kong.
DEPENDENT VISA FOR THE FAMILY:
Applicants under this work permit scheme are eligible to bring their family members (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age to Hong Kong) with them to Hong Kong. The dependant’s length of stay is tied to the applicant’s length of stay in Hong Kong and dependant visa holders are free to take up employment or study in Hong Kong, as applicable.
EMPLOYMENT VISA RENEWAL:
Work permit holders can apply for renewal by filing the renewal application at least four weeks before the limit of stay expires. The renewal application will be considered only if the applicant continues to meet the work permit eligibility criteria as outlined above. If the work visa renewal application is approved, the extension of stay will normally follow the 2-2-3 years pattern or in accordance with the duration of your employment contract, whichever is shorter.
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT:
Under the employment for professionals scheme, the work permit issued is tied to a specific employer and is not transferable. In order to change jobs, the applicant must obtain first approval by filing “Application for Change of Employment” with the Immigration Department. Upon approval, the applicant must surrender his/her existing work permit and collect the new one.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE:
If you have been granted a work visa under the employment for professionals scheme and you have resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of at least seven years, you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residence, commonly referred to as “Right of Abode” in Hong Kong. The application is subject to satisfying the requisite criteria.
Please contact us for a preliminary assessment.
N.B. Every individual case will be assessed by our Senior Migration Consultant. We do not provide formula based computer generated solutions. Please be advised that any advice will be given to you shall be in form of writing.