Hong Kong (China)Work visa

ASMTP visa for professionals in Hong Kong (China)

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals is a work visa for residents of mainland China who have special skills, knowledge or experience that are absent from the Hong Kong labour market. It is granted for a particular job offer from a Hong Kong employer, has no quota and is not tied to a sector.

Source: Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department (immd.gov.hk)

Who can apply

The ordinary ASMTP stream

A Chinese national, resident in mainland China, with special skills, knowledge or experience that are in short supply on the Hong Kong labour market
There is a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer for a position that cannot easily be filled by a local worker
Normally a first academic degree in a relevant field; in special cases proven technical qualifications and professional experience are accepted instead of a degree
No security objections and no record of serious criminal offences
Remuneration (salary, accommodation, medical cover and other benefits) is broadly in line with the market level for such a position in Hong Kong

The technical professionals stream, ASMTP(TP)

For experienced professionals without a degree, aged between 18 and 40, with relevant professional and technical skills
Applies only to particular trades in specific sectors and is limited by an annual quota (unlike the ordinary ASMTP stream)

What it costs

Fee for considering the application — separately for the applicant and for each dependant, not refunded if the application is refused	600 HKD
Fee for issuing the visa if the permitted period of stay is longer than 180 days	1 300 HKD
Fee for issuing the visa if the permitted period of stay is 180 days or less	600 HKD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.	2 500 HKD

Documents to gather

What to submit with the application

A recent photograph of the applicant
A valid travel document; for those already in Hong Kong — the page with the most recent entry endorsement; a resident of mainland China without a travel document may submit a resident identity card of the PRC
The applicant's Hong Kong identity card (if held)
Proof of education and of relevant work experience
The consent of the applicant's current employer or of the relevant mainland Chinese authorities (the annex to form ID 991) — only for residents of mainland China
From the employer: an employment contract or letter of appointment stating the position, salary, benefits and term; a business registration certificate; proof of financial standing (audited accounts or a tax return); a description of the company's activities
For companies less than 12 months old, in addition — a detailed business plan with a forecast of turnover and profit for the coming years and a plan for creating local jobs

How the process runs

How the process works

1
Gather the documents
The applicant and the employer prepare the set of documents; where dependants are being brought in, a separate set is prepared for each of them.
2
Apply online and pay the fee for considering the application
The application is made through the GovHK portal together with all the documents; the fee for considering it is not refunded, whatever the outcome.
3
Wait for the application to be considered
usually 4 weeks
The period runs from the moment the immigration service received all the required documents and the paid fee for considering the application.
4
Pay the fee for issuing the visa and receive the e-Visa
Once the application is approved, a link arrives for payment of the fee for issuing the visa; after payment the electronic visa (e-Visa) with a QR code can be downloaded or printed straight away.

Timelines and rights

Work

Only the approved position is permitted; changing employer requires prior approval.

Who you can bring with you

Who can be brought along

A spouse, or the other party to an officially recognised same-sex or opposite-sex civil partnership, union or marriage

Reasonable proof of a genuine relationship with the sponsor is required, along with the absence of adverse information about the dependant; the dependant's period of stay normally coincides with that of the applicant; for a dependant under 16 the application is signed by a parent or legal guardian

Unmarried children under 18

The sponsor must show that they can support the dependant at a level appreciably above the subsistence level and provide suitable accommodation; dependants are not prohibited from working or studying in Hong Kong

Exception to the entry of dependants

The arrangement does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan and North Korea, nor to former residents of mainland China with Hong Kong Macao ID status of less than 7 years if they obtained it otherwise than through the One-way Permit Scheme

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The right of abode is granted to those who have ordinarily and continuously resided in Hong Kong for 7 years. Ordinary residence means lawful and voluntary stay for a clear purpose: work, study, living in the city. Short absences do not interrupt it.

On first entry 36 months are usually granted on employment conditions, or the term of the employment contract if that is shorter. The application for extension is lodged no earlier than 3 months and no later than 6 weeks before the period of stay expires; consideration usually takes 2–3 weeks. Subsequent extensions follow the 3+2 years pattern on the same employment conditions. A professional who has worked under the ASMTP for at least 2 years and whose assessable income for the previous tax year was HK$2,000,000 or more may apply for the top-tier stream: if approved, the extension is granted for 5 years at once, limited only by the period of stay and with no other conditions — the employer may then be changed on simple notification to the immigration service, without prior approval.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After at least 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in the Hong Kong SAR one may apply for the right of abode.

Route to citizenship

Hong Kong does not grant citizenship. A permanent resident applies to the immigration service for naturalisation as a Chinese national: 3,460 Hong Kong dollars in two equal payments, the second on issue of the certificate. Foreign citizenship cannot be retained if the application is approved.

Frequently asked questions about ASMTP visa for professionals

Who can apply under the ASMTP?

A resident of mainland China with special skills, knowledge or experience that are in short supply on the Hong Kong labour market. The following are required: a confirmed job offer for a position matching the applicant's education or experience which cannot easily be filled by a local worker; normally a first academic degree (in special cases, technical qualifications and experience); no security objections and no record of serious criminal offences; remuneration at the market level for such a position in Hong Kong.

How much does an ASMTP visa cost?

The fee for considering the application is HK$600 for the applicant and for each dependant, and it is not refunded whatever the outcome. Once the application is approved, a fee for issuing the visa is paid in addition: HK$1,300 if the permitted period of stay is longer than 180 days, and HK$600 if it is 180 days or less.

How long does it take to consider an application?

Usually 4 weeks from the moment the immigration service received all the required documents and the paid fee for considering the application. An extension of an existing status is considered more quickly — usually within 2–3 weeks.

Can the family be brought under the ASMTP?

Yes. The holder of ASMTP status may bring a spouse or a partner in an officially recognised civil partnership or union, and unmarried children under 18. Proof of a genuine relationship is required, along with confirmation that the applicant is able to support the dependant at a level appreciably above the subsistence level and provide accommodation. The arrangement does not extend to nationals of Afghanistan and North Korea.

What does the top-tier stream give on extension?

A professional who has worked under the ASMTP for at least 2 years and whose assessable income for the previous tax year was at least HK$2,000,000 may apply to be assessed under the top-tier stream. If approved, the extension is granted for 5 years at once, limited only by the period of stay and with no other conditions — the employer may be changed on notification, without prior approval.

How does the ASMTP differ from the General Employment Policy (GEP)?

The ASMTP is for residents of mainland China. Ethnic Chinese holding a PRC passport who have permanent residence abroad, or who have lived abroad for at least a year before applying, apply under the General Employment Policy rather than the ASMTP if they meet the GEP criteria.

When can the right of abode in Hong Kong be obtained?

The holder of ASMTP status may apply for the right of abode after at least 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong.

Other ways to move to Hong Kong (China)

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Hong Kong (China).

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.