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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

General Employment Policy (GEP)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 14 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Hong Kong's main employer-sponsored route for non-local professionals with a confirmed job offer that cannot be readily filled locally.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyInitial stay normally up to 36 months on employment conditions; extensions typically follow a 3+3+2-year pattern.
Processing time
The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about four weeks to process a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page.
Government fees
A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page for current amounts.
Typical duration
Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment conditions; extensions typically follow a 3+3+2-year pattern.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the General Employment Policy (GEP) for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has a typical government cost of about HK$1,900 and typical processing of 4 weeks. Sources: official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/hong-kong/general-employment-policy#answer

What is the General Employment Policy (GEP) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?

General Employment Policy (GEP) is a sponsor-led Hong Kong route. Indicative government fees are A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page for current amounts; indicative processing time is The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about four weeks to process a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page; typical duration is Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment conditions; extensions typically follow a 3+3+2-year pattern. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The General Employment Policy is the Immigration Department's primary route for professionals (other than Mainland Chinese residents, who use a separate scheme). It requires a genuine, confirmed job offer relevant to the applicant's background, with a remuneration package broadly in line with the local market. The Department assesses whether the skills can be readily taken up by the local workforce. Continuous ordinary residence of not less than seven years can lead to the right of abode.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the role is professional-level, market-paid and hard to fill locally before applying.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Have the employer prepare the appointment letter and company documents alongside your qualification evidence.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department through the official channel.

  4. After approval

    After approval, activate the visa, take up employment and track extension timing toward seven-year residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For General Employment Policy (GEP), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official General Employment Policy (GEP) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Hong Kong

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Hong Kong. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official General Employment Policy (GEP) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for General Employment Policy (GEP).

    Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified

Fees and processing time

A typical General Employment Policy (GEP) application runs about HK$1,900 in government fees (single applicant, initial stay over 180 days). A decision then typically takes 4 weeks. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the GEP require a job offer before applying?+

Yes. The General Employment Policy is an employment route and requires a genuine, confirmed job offer relevant to your background before you apply. If you want to come to Hong Kong without a prior offer, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or Top Talent Pass Scheme are the talent routes that do not require one.

Can GEP holders settle in Hong Kong?+

The Immigration Department states that persons admitted under the GEP who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law. Maintaining continuous lawful residence is key to that pathway.

How long is the initial GEP visa, and how do extensions work?+

The General Employment Policy normally grants an initial stay of up to 36 months on employment conditions, with extensions typically following a 3+3+2-year pattern. Confirm the current arrangement on the official Immigration Department page.

Will my job offer qualify for the GEP if local candidates could fill the role?+

A role that the local workforce could readily take up is a common blocker for the GEP, which requires that the job cannot be readily filled locally and that pay is broadly in line with the prevailing market level. The Immigration Department assesses this, so check your case against the official guidance.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Hong Kong

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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