Hong Kong’s new visa policy boosts skilled worker influx

Published on March 21, 2024

Since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China initiated its visa program for skilled workers from Vietnam, Laos, and Nepal on October 25th last year, it has seen a significant influx of applications, as stated by Chris Tang, the region’s Secretary for Security.

By February 29th, a total of 132 visa applications were received, indicating the program’s appeal to skilled workers from these countries. Specifically, out of 42 applications from Vietnamese skilled workers, 31 have already been approved.

Further liberalizing its visa policies, John Lee, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, announced in October that Hong Kong would ease visa regulations for Vietnamese tourists and business travelers, offering a multiple-entry visa option.

This adjustment has led to 493 applications for multiple-entry tourist visas by late February, with 490 approvals, showcasing a significant boost in visa issuances and, by extension, potential increases in tourism and business visits from Vietnam.

This relaxation in visa policies has resulted in a substantial rise in the approval rate of multiple-entry visas for Vietnamese nationals, growing approximately six times compared to the figures in 2019. These visas, valid for up to two years, allow for stays of no more than 14 days per visit in Hong Kong.

Before these policy changes were implemented on October 25th last year, Vietnamese skilled workers were restricted to applying for visas through the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG).

Now, with more lenient regulations, Vietnamese talents have broader avenues to seek employment in Hong Kong, utilizing schemes such as the General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa and the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG) Visa. These developments reflect a positive trend towards facilitating mobility and employment for skilled workers, which could have a lasting impact on travel, tourism, and the job market in Hong Kong.