What is an ASMTP visa for Hong Kong?

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) targets residents of Mainland China who possess special skills, as well as valued knowledge or experience, which are not prevalent or readily available within the existing workforce in Hong Kong.

In summary, the ASMTP visa is specially designed for eligible, talented Chinese residents to apply to work in Hong Kong for a set period. The number of applications under the current scheme does not have an upper limit. Also, talents and professionals of the Mainland from any business sector can be eligible to apply.

However, it must be noted that Chinese residents from the Mainland who graduated with an undergraduate degree or higher qualification verification from a locally accredited full-time program in Hong Kong, cannot obtain a work permit under the ASMTP Hong Kong scheme. Instead, their option is to apply for a working type visa under other existing schemes, for instance, under the IANG.

Background

Hong Kong is an international city that has policies in place to attract qualified talents and professionals from the Mainland to work and stay in Hong Kong, in order to keep the city dynamic and competitive. To maintain this, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has set up the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) to attract especially the eligible applicants from the Mainland to contribute their skills and knowledge to a better future of our local economy.

Talents and professionals that are approved under the ASMTP visa scheme are expected to be able to make tangible contributions and facilitate the operation of the employing company in Hong Kong as well as having a positive effect on related sectors.

Guiding you through the ASMTP visa process

Asian Bridge Consulting is very experienced in handling Hong Kong ASMTP visas for Mainland residents and has kept a very high success rate in getting approved ASMTP visa applications in the past.

Our expertise works to your benefit from the very beginning to the final stage of submission and collection of your approved ASMTP visa. We successfully minimize the total time you will need to devote to the ASMTP visa Hong Kong application process to let you concentrate on your business affairs. Harnessing our wealth of experience in this field, our team has designed a personalized document list for every applicant in order to make sure that the application goes as smoothly as possible, by fulfilling the requirements of the Hong Kong Immigration Department under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) in Hong Kong scheme.

Eligibility for ASMTP in Hong Kong

Mainland talents and professionals can apply for the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Hong Kong visa if he or she is considered to possess high education qualifications or has a decent educational background. Only those applicants that possess special skills, technical qualifications, or directly relevant experience and knowledge within the sector he or she will be employed in will be approved.

Also, before the start of the ASMTP visa Hong Kong application, an eligible person needs to have a confirmed offer of employment from within Hong Kong, which effectively means that a valid employment contract should be presented to the Immigration Department along with the application. The employing company in Hong Kong should also ensure for the applicant that there is a genuine job vacancy within their company and that such a vacancy cannot be readily taken up by members of the local workforce.

To summarize, if the below basic criteria fit your case, you will likely be eligible to apply for a ASMTP visa in Hong Kong:

• The applicant is a Chinese resident currently living in the Mainland China
• The applicant is highly educated or possesses special skills, technical qualifications, relevant experience, and knowledge in a specific field
• The applicant already possesses a confirmed offer of employment in Hong Kong
• There is a genuine job vacancy
• Such a vacancy cannot be readily taken up by the local labour of Hong Kong

Entry of dependents

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) applicants can also include their spouse or partner in the application. They can also include their unmarried dependent children under 18 years under the current dependent policy. The applicant admitted or applying under the ASMTP must become the sponsor of the accompanying dependents to Hong Kong.

A dependent application may be looked upon more favourably if:

• You can provide evidence of a genuine relationship between you and your dependent.
• The dependent does not have any previous detrimental record.
• The sponsor has sufficient funds to support the standard of living of the dependent and provide them with suitable accommodation when in Hong Kong.

The validity of the dependent visa would be the same as that of the sponsor. Any extension of stay applied for would only be considered if the sponsor continues to meet all the eligibility requirements of residence. Also, there should have been no changes in the circumstances of the dependent which could lead to loss of sponsorship, such as divorce, separation, or death of the sponsor. Dependents are allowed to work or study in Hong Kong under the existing policy.

Processing time for the ASMTP Visa

The processing time for entry permit applications under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals in Hong Kong is around 4 weeks. However, the Immigration Dept. only initiates processing after it has received all the required information and supporting documents.

Frequently asked questions