HK
HK
Being one of the most attractive and well-established business hubs in Asia, Hong Kong is a natural magnet for talent and expatriates. With a dynamic business environment, the Hong Kong immigration department has taken a friendly approach to the immigration policy of Hong Kong. There are various options for visas that adjust to different scenarios and schemes to attract the needed talent to keep Hong Kong’s economy vibrant.
While the employment visa is one of the most common visas that allow individuals residing overseas to legally work in Hong Kong, it is not the only option. For example, there is the Quality Migrant admission scheme (QMAS), which is a government program that encourages entrepreneurs and other individuals with talents in high demand on a quota basis.
In this article, we will discuss the implications of coming to Hong Kong on a dependant visa.
What is the Hong Kong Dependant Visa? Officially known as the Entry for Residence as Dependant, this kind of visa allows the immediate family members of foreign nationals who hold a valid Hong Kong employment visa to be able to legally stay in Hong Kong. This visa is also often referred to as a relocation visa or dependant visa that the spouse, or unmarried dependant children of a Hong Kong visa holder, can apply to. Additionally, the family members of individuals who hold permanent residence in Hong Kong can apply for this type of visa too. There is a variation on the name of this visa between British English and American English, where it is known as a Dependent Visa in the latter.
It is important to mention that the validity of a Dependant visa is linked to the duration of the sponsor’s visa. Once the visa of the individual who holds a Hong Kong employment visa, Hong Kong investment visa, or a Hong Kong student visa is canceled, expires or is not renewed for some reason, the visas granted to the immediate family members will be canceled.
In some cases, the dependant visa holders can work in Hong Kong. More details will be discussed forward in the article to explain in which situations it is possible to work legally in Hong Kong with a dependant visa.
As a dependant visa is linked to a sponsor, there are certain conditions where an individual can qualify to join them in Hong Kong. Here we will mention the conditions related to the status of the sponsor:
If the sponsor has permanent residence in Hong Kong or otherwise is allowed to stay without a limit, which is known as the right to land or unconditional stay, the following individuals can apply for a dependant visa:
For the holders of a Hong Kong visa under the categories of employment, investment, studies in a full-time program, or are part of an immigration scheme, the following individuals can apply for a dependant visa:
As a special note, although a person might be a Dependant Visa holder, under certain situations, they might not be able to engage in work activities in Hong Kong. In the following section, we will provide more information on this topic.
While at first glance, the Hong Kong Dependant Visa might look just like a permit to stay in Hong Kong, it has other added benefits. The main advantage is that a Dependant can find work and be hired in Hong Kong. Compared to the regulations of Mainland China, a dependant cannot be legally hired or work there, it is only allowed to stay.
Nevertheless, it is important to clarify under which conditions a Dependant Visa holder can take employment in Hong Kong. A dependant can work in Hong Kong if the sponsor falls under the following categories:
For sponsors who are not in the above-mentioned categories and are in a full-time study program, their dependants are not allowed to work in Hong Kong.
As with any process, some prerequisites must be met to proceed with the application. Here we will list the most relevant points:
The following cases cannot apply for a dependant visa in Hong Kong:
The applicants interested in obtaining a Hong Kong dependant visa must prepare the following documents and submit them to an immigration officer in the Hong Kong Immigration Department:
Once the documents and supporting documents have been prepared and are ready to be submitted to the authorities, each applicant must apply with the details of the main sponsor. Here we list the steps to take:
It is possible to obtain an extension for a dependant visa. The process of a Hong Kong visa renewal must be carried out within one month before the limit of expiration, and the applicant must meet the eligibility criteria.
It is also important to mention that the sponsors must fall into the following 2 categories:
Hong Kong has a well-developed immigration system that makes it attractive for expatriates and overseas businesses to relocate there. Unlike other jurisdictions, the dependant visa allows people to come to Hong Kong and explore their potential and enrich their experience, either by allowing them to enroll in a study program or work there.
Nevertheless, it is important to consult the experts in immigration matters, especially when a family relocates to Hong Kong, to avoid any stressful situation that may lead to delays in your immigration process.
