Hong Kong

Location： Hong Kong is located on the southeast coast of China, consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and about 262 offshore islands of which the largest is Lantau Island. The Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula is the world famous deep natural harbour.
Area： Approx. 1,106 sq km
Population： Approx. over 7 million
Language： Cantonese, English
Currency： Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Climate： Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate. The temperature in winter can drop below 10℃, while the temperature in summer can reach 31℃ or above. The most temperate seasons are spring and autumn. Winter is mild and dry with occasional strong and cold winds. Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms.
Education System: Hong Kong’s public schools are operated by the Education Bureau. The system features a non-compulsory 3-year kindergarten, followed by a compulsory 6-year primary education, a compulsory 3-year junior and 3-year senior secondary education, leading to the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education. The government maintains a policy of “mother tongue instruction” in which the medium of instruction is Cantonese, with written Chinese and English, while some of the schools are using English as the teaching language. The universities in Hong Kong have a high ranking in the world. In 2012, the University of Hong Kong ranked 23, continued to be the best university in Asia, while the University of Science and Technology ranked 33 and the Chinese University ranked 40.
Tax System： Taxes collected in Hong Kong can be generally classified as direct tax and indirect tax. Direct tax includes property tax, profits tax and salaries tax. Indirect tax includes stamp duty, betting duty, business registration, hotel accommodation tax, etc. Only profits sourced in Hong Kong is taxable.
Welfare： Hong Kong residents can enjoy the welfare benefits for child, youth and elderly, public housing and public health.

Hong Kong

Program Advantages

  • quota-free and non-sector specific
  • have more international working opportunities
  • applicant may bring in spouse and dependent children under the age of 18

Requirements

  • no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere
  • have good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field
  • there is a genuine job vacancy
  • have confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to applicant’s academic qualifications or work experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force
  • remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals

Application Procedures

  • Preliminary assessment
  • Sign engagement contract
  • Prepare all necessary documents
  • Lodge application to Immigration Department
  • 2-year visa granted
  • Apply for HKID card
  • Extend visa before expiry
  • Apply for permanent resident after 7 years

Hong Kong

Program Advantages

  • not required to have local employment offer before entry to Hong Kong
  • have more international working opportunities
  • applicant may bring in spouse and dependent children under the age of 18

Requirements

  • must be aged 18 or above
  • demonstrate the capability of supporting and accommodating on own financial resources
  • no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere
  • proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English
  • have good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or a tertiary educational institution

Points-based Tests

  1. General Points Test: assessed under 5 point-scoring factors includes age, academic/professional qualifications,work experience, language proficiency and family background. The maximum mark is 195 points and the prevailing minimum passing mark is 80 points.
  2. Achievement-based Points Test: assessed under 1 point-scoring factor for individuals with exceptional talent or skill who have outstanding achievements. 195 points may be awarded if:
    • applicant has received an award or exceptional achievement (e.g. Olympic medals, Nobel prize, national/international awards); or
    • applicant can show that his/her work has been acknowledged by his/her peers or has contributed significantly to the development of his/her field (e.g. lifetime achievement award from industry)

Application Procedures

  • Preliminary assessment
  • Sign engagement contract
  • Prepare all necessary documents
  • Lodge application to Immigration Department
  • Rank according to scores awarded for further assessment
  • Receive Approval-in-principle after quota allotted
  • Request for interview, present originals of all documents submitted
  • 2-year visa granted
  • Apply for HKID card
  • Extend visa before expiry
  • Apply for permanent resident after 7 years