General Employment Policy (GEP)
🇭🇰 Hong Kong visas · Work
What it is
Quota-free employment visa for professionals with special skills, knowledge, or experience not readily available locally. Requires a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Initial stay of 36 months on employment condition, or the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.
- Processing time
- Up to 4 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Yes
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (non-refundable (specified scheme))
- HKD 600
- Application fee (visa issuance fee on approval)
- HKD 1,300
- Application fee (visa issuance fee on approval)
- HKD 600
Key requirements
- Confirmed offer of employment from a Hong Kong employer
- Good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university
- Special skills, knowledge, or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong
- Remuneration package broadly commensurate with prevailing market level
- No security objection and no known record of serious crime
Working on this visa
Employment under the General Employment Policy for the sponsoring employer; extension of stay follows the 3-3 years pattern (5 years after review for top-tier).
Money you must show
No likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR (no amount)
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 18 July 2026.