Hong Kong expands facilitation scheme for visitors participating in short-term activities

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Invited persons may participate in the specified short-term activities and receive remuneration without the need to apply for employment visas.

The HKSAR government has announced the expansion of the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors, with effect from 1 February 2023.

With this expansion, more non-local talents will be allowed to come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors, without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits. 

In addition to the existing 10 designated sectors, the pilot scheme has been expanded to cover two new sectors, namely "finance" and "development and construction", with the addition of about 50 authorised host organisations, to cover more specified short-term international events and mega activities, such as the Asian Financial Forum and international horse racing events.

The expanded Pilot Scheme will cover the following 12 sectors with a total of some 400 authorised host organisations:

• Medical and healthcare;
• Higher education;
• Arts and culture;
• Sports;
• Heritage;
• Creative industries;
• Innovation and technology;
• Hong Kong Laureate Forum;
• Aviation;
• International/mega events;
• Finance; and
• Development and construction.

Host organisations authorised by the relevant government bureaux/departments can issue invitation letters to relevant non-local talents in their sectors. Invited persons may come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors, without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits from the Immigration Department (ImmD).

Invited non-local talents are talents in shortage or whose participation in specified short-term activities in Hong Kong is conducive to economic development or achieving relevant policy objectives. They may participate in the specified short-term activities for up to 14 days upon each arrival, and receive remuneration for the specified activities concerned. There is no cap on the number of designated short-term activities the eligible visitors may participate in during that 14-day period.

The Pilot Scheme is applicable to eligible visitors, including:

1. nationals of countries who may visit the HKSAR visa-free (this includes visitors from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and more - click here for the full list)
2. persons who require a visa / entry permit to enter the HKSAR for visit; and
3. Mainland, Macao and Taiwan residents.

If the eligible visitors are not visa-free nationals, they must obtain visit visas/entry permits before coming to the HKSAR. For eligible visitors who are Mainland, Macao and Taiwan residents, the prevailing entry arrangements for visiting the HKSAR for these residents will continue to apply. If the eligible visitors are Mainland residents, they are required to apply for travel documents and exit endorsements corresponding to their nature of coming to Hong Kong from the relevant Mainland authorities in accordance with the prevailing requirements.

Launched in June 2022, the scheme aims to facilitate business and promote the development of the relevant sectors, as well as to raise Hong Kong's international profile. As of December 2022, the scheme has benefited more than 800 non-local talent, who came to Hong Kong as visitors to participate in various events, such as the Hong Kong Sevens and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performance.

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