Home » Hong Kong » Hong Kong – Work Permits and Working Legally

Hong Kong – Work Permits and Working Legally

Working Legally in Hong Kong

It is necessary for expats to obtain a work permit in order to work legally in Hong Kong. The application for the work permit must be made by the expat’s employer

Exemptions to this rule apply only to a limited number of categories, including visiting business persons, overseas students, and dependents of work permit holders

Types of work permits for expats in Hong Kong

The two main types of work permits in Hong Kong are the Employment Visa (E-Visa) and the General Employment Policy (GEP). The E-Visa is for expats with a degree or higher academic qualification, while the GEP is for those without a degree. Both types of work permits require a job offer from a Hong Kong employer and a minimum salary threshold, which is currently HKD$20,000 per month.

Procedure to apply for a work permit in Hong Kong


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


The following is the general procedure to apply for a work permit in Hong Kong:

  1. The employer must first secure an offer of employment from a Hong Kong employer.

  2. The employer must then submit an application for a work permit, along with all required documents, to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

  3. The Hong Kong Immigration Department will then process the application and may request additional information or documents if necessary.

  4. The application process typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks, although processing times may vary.

Documents needed to apply for a work permit in Hong Kong

The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in Hong Kong:

  1. A completed application form

  2. Proof of the expat’s qualifications and experience

  3. Proof of the expat’s medical fitness

  4. Proof of the expat’s financial means

  5. Proof of the job offer, including the salary and job duties

  6. Proof of the employer’s business status and financial status

  7. Proof of the expat’s travel document (passport)

Costs involved in applying for a work permit in Hong Kong

The costs involved in applying for a work permit in Hong Kong include the following:

  1. Application fee

  2. Medical examination fee

  3. Other miscellaneous fees, such as fees for police clearance certificates or translations

Where to go for reliable information on working legally in Hong Kong

For reliable information on working legally in Hong Kong, expats can visit the following websites:

  1. Hong Kong Immigration Department: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/work.html

  2. Hong Kong Labour Department: https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/services/workpermit/index.htm

  3. Invest Hong Kong: https://www.investhk.gov.hk/work-in-hk/working-in-hk/


Latest Videos

Expat Focus

848 subscribers

Move abroad easily with Expat Focus.

Expat Focus
Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_2iutaBgsCRk

Moving From Malaysia To Mexico

Expat Focus 15 August 2023 3:23 pm

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible? My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia. Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible?

My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia.

Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_62EMRLnSni4

Growing Up As A Third Culture Kid In Australia

Expat Focus 26 July 2023 6:48 pm

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

When American, Samaki Dorsey Schneider moved to France permanently five years ago, the last thing the 44 year-old expected was to need to take a driving test. But that’s the reality for some expats who can’t simply exchange their existing driver’s license for a French one. Keep listening to find out why this is the case, what the testing process is like in France, some of the costs involved and the road rules that might be a little different to what you’re used to.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_hrrVi0XbYgg

How To Get A French Driver's License

Expat Focus 23 June 2023 2:29 pm

Load More... Subscribe
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.