Our first Hong Kong immigration update: important developments relevant to corporate clients
The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) held a press conference on the “Immigration Department Review 2025” on 13 February 2026, during which the Director of Immigration announced a series of enhancement measures relating to immigration policies and border control point arrangements. Among these initiatives, the following measure is of particular relevance to corporates operating in Hong Kong.
What is the change?
With effect from March 1, 2026, individuals who are permitted to work or reside in Hong Kong under the below schemes, as well as their dependants, may submit applications for an extension of stay up to three (3) months before the expiry of their current limit of stay. Previously, extension applications could only be submitted within 28 calendar days prior to the expiry date.
- GEP (General Employment Policy)
- ASMTP (Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals)
- IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates)
- QMAS (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme)
- TechTAS (Technology Talent Admission Scheme)
- Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
It is worth noting that this arrangement has already been applicable to individuals holding a TTPS (Top Talent Pass Scheme) visa since November 1, 2024. With this update, the same arrangement will now be aligned with most common types of Employment Visas (EV) and their Dependant Visas (DV).
What does this mean for applicants and employers?
For employees and their dependents:
The new arrangement provides greater flexibility and certainty for applicants holding Employment Visas (EV) or Dependant Visas (DV) admitted under various talent admission schemes. By allowing extension applications to be submitted up to three (3) months before the expiry of the current limit of stay, applicants will have additional time to prepare the required supporting documents and plan ahead for their continued stay in Hong Kong.
For employers:
This extended application window facilitates better workforce planning and reduces the risk of last-minute renewals that could potentially affect an employee’s work authorization. It also allows HR teams more time to coordinate documentation, review employment arrangements where necessary, and ensure business continuity without disruption.
Overall, the measure enhances administrative efficiency and provides greater predictability for both visa holders and sponsoring employers.
This update is intended as a general guide and does not replace tailored legal advice. If you have questions regarding ETA requirements or business travel compliance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
