Recently, the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association invited officials, including the Director of Immigration and the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, to a seminar on visa renewals and various talent policies. They provided comprehensive explanations and Q&A sessions for both in-person and online attendees. The session was packed with essential information! Join the WorldWay Group to learn more.
Below is a summary of the points and Q&A from the renewal seminar, which we hope will assist more talent and their families.
Core Issues for Top Talent Visa Renewal
1. Renewals can be achieved through employment, starting a business, or equity participation. There is no industry discrimination; the core requirement is to contribute to Hong Kong.
2. Do not be misled by Douyin or Xiaohongshu; do not engage in "fake employment" or listen to arrangements for such. You must submit authentic information. Exploiting legal loopholes will lead to investigation and potential imprisonment for many years.
3. When applying for the Top Talent Pass, consider your family's resources and avoid the "herd effect." You must position yourself correctly and judge whether you are truly suitable for coming to Hong Kong.
4. Renewals for Category A and B applicants do not require the HKD 2.5 million annual income threshold required at the initial application stage. The renewal requirements for all three categories are the same; it is reasonable to maintain an average monthly income of over HKD 20,000.
5. If you return to the mainland after activating your visa and only return to Hong Kong to arrange employment near the time of renewal, the renewal may proceed without issue, but these two years will not count toward your permanent residency application.
6. There are no hard requirements for registered capital or number of employees for startups, but without an office and tax filings, approval may be difficult.
Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Renewal Q&A
If the main applicant has not found a job in Hong Kong, but the dependent (spouse) has, can the visa be renewed for the purpose of applying for permanent residency?
Answer: The main applicant is the unit of assessment. The main applicant must find a job before renewal; whether the dependent has a job or the quality of that job does not contribute to the renewal. The main applicant's employment must meet the Hong Kong government's renewal requirements.
Can a dependent (spouse) who finds a job in Hong Kong reach an agreement with an employer to apply for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and have the original main applicant become the dependent of the Quality Migrant?
Answer: Assuming the dependent meets the requirements for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, there is a possibility of approval. However, if this is done to circumvent the original renewal requirements, it will be identified and rejected.
If I am approved under the Top Talent Pass, but am employed by an overseas company while living in Hong Kong, or if I buy a property in Hong Kong, does this help with renewal and permanent residency?
Answer: Being employed by an overseas company means neither will help.
If I am approved under the Quality Migrant or Top Talent Pass, am employed in Hong Kong, but live in Shenzhen, can I renew my visa and apply for permanent residency?
Answer: The nature of the work can be expatriate, provided there is income, tax payments, and MPF contributions. Even if you are not often in Hong Kong, you can renew your visa, but if you have no connection to Hong Kong, it will affect your permanent residency application.
What industry should the applicant work in upon arriving in Hong Kong? Can it be unrelated to their previous industry?
Answer: It depends on the situation; each case is analyzed individually. There are no restrictions on changing industries, but the focus is on contributing to Hong Kong. It is recommended to match your undergraduate major and avoid excessive career shifts, as you must comply with the principles of "talent" entry.
In addition, there are many other questions applicants are concerned about, such as: How to apply for a Top Talent visa? If income does not meet the standard, can I still get permanent residency? If I only find a job one month before the visa expires, can I renew it? If parents do not come to Hong Kong, can a child under 18 studying in Hong Kong renew their visa? In terms of the number of days required for renewal and permanent residency, how many days must I actually stay in Hong Kong? Is there a difference between buying a home and renting for renewal and permanent residency applications? Regarding the submission of address proof for later dependent applications, can it be waived? The officials answered these one by one. Due to space limitations, please contact WorldWay if you would like more details.
2024 remains a bonus period for Hong Kong identity planning; please seize the opportunity! The Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme aims to attract high-income individuals and graduates from the world's top 100 universities to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. These high-end talents do not need to have secured an offer of employment in the Hong Kong SAR at the time of application. They only need to meet general immigration requirements to be granted a 24-month stay without other conditions of stay.
Applicants may apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme under one of the following categories:
1. Individuals with an annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more (or equivalent in foreign currency) in the year immediately preceding the application (Category A).
2. Individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree from a top 100 university globally and have accumulated at least three years of work experience in the five years immediately preceding the application (Category B).
3. Individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree from a top 100 university globally in the five years immediately preceding the application, but have less than three years of work experience (Category C); this category is subject to an annual quota and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Furthermore, Category C is not applicable to non-local students who have obtained a bachelor's degree through full-time locally accredited programs in the Hong Kong SAR.
According to information currently released by the Hong Kong government, the 13 recognized mainland Chinese universities include: Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, Sun Yat-sen University, Nanjing University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Central South University.
If you are interested in a Hong Kong identity and graduated from a top 100 university, why not seize this opportunity? Apply early to benefit early! The scheme has multiple advantages, such as: no investment required, no prior job offer required, no asset requirements, no quota limits, no scoring requirements, and one application allows the spouse and unmarried children under 18 to accompany you. Upon approval, you will receive a 2-year valid visa, with convenient renewal and the freedom to enter and exit Hong Kong.
Immigration is a comprehensive planning process, and choosing a formal, professional, and reputable immigration agency is crucial! Only a capable immigration company can truly help applicants successfully complete their immigration. WorldWay Group has gained excellent recognition in the immigration industry for its high service quality, high volume of applications submitted, high success rate, and high customer satisfaction in Hong Kong Quality Migrant immigration.
WorldWay Group, a top 500 Asian brand, has been rooted in Hong Kong for over 20 years. As one of the first companies to launch Hong Kong immigration services, it has professional offices in Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland, and has successfully helped countless clients move to Hong Kong. WorldWay possesses a specialized and comprehensive customer service system, rich experience in immigration processing, a professional and senior documentation team, a meticulous customer service team, and efficient and thoughtful landing services, providing strategic planning and dedicated service for every investor's immigration journey. Whether before the immigration process, during the application, or for a series of follow-up services after immigration, WorldWay goes all out to help investors realize their immigration dreams.
For immigrating to Hong Kong, WorldWay is worth your choice. For more details, please private message us in the comments section or call the WorldWay service hotline: Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong: (852) 2802 8798
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