• No restriction on foreign exchange remittance, free transfer of funds
• Convenience in settlement of international trades
• No interest tax with a higher actual revenues of deposits
• Free conversion of currencies
• Convenient daily account operation and online bank transactions
• Convenience in getting trade financing from international banks

• Company registration particulars, such as Company Registration Certificate, Business Registration Certificate, Articles of Association, Incorporation Form or Annual Return, etc.
• Identification of shareholders, directors and signers and proof of address in the last 3 months
• Business certification particulars, such as orders, purchase and sales invoices, contracts, bills of lading, etc.
• Registration particulars of affiliated company
• Personal and affiliated company’s bank transaction records in the last 3 months
• Visa or Master credit cards

• By visiting a bank in person: The directors visit a bank in Hong Kong in person. Under normal circumstances, the signature documents required for opening an account can be completed on the same day. The account opening is expected to be completed within 20 working days (specifically depending on the bank’s approval time).
• By video conference: The directors visit the Hong Kong banks branch in mainland China. The process is witnessed by the staff of the branch. It takes 30 working days to open an account (specifically depending on the bank’s approval time).

• Submit a bank account opening application
• Approval by the Due Diligence Department of the bank
• The final account number is issued upon approval from the due diligence
• Deliver a cheque Book
• Deliver passwords for online banking
• Activate online banking password
• First time online banking registration service
• Deliver or obtain ATM card and password
• Deposit start-up funds

• As a sovereign state, Singapore has a sound financial system and better protection of accounts and business information
• No foreign exchange control, free fund transfer, convenient for international trade settlement
• Multiple currency options, free currency conversion, low conversion rate and service charge
• Convenient daily account operation and online bank transactions
• High success rate of account opening with simple process, commonly requiring only true and effective, sufficient certificates and business contracts
• Banks in Singapore enjoy high international reputation and security rating and have many branches
• Banks in Singapore have flexible modes for account opening and no requirement for coming in person, and the Chinese bank managers there account for a high proportion.

• Company registration materials, such as Company Registration Certificate, Business Registration Certificate, Articles of Association, Incorporation Form or Annual Return, etc
• Identification of shareholders, directors and signers and proof of address in the last 3 months
• Proof materials for business, such as orders, purchase and sales invoices, contracts, bills of lading, etc
• Registration materials of affiliated companies
• Personal and affiliated companies’ bank transaction records in the last 3 months
• Visa or Master credit cards

• By visiting in person: The directors visit a bank in Singapore in person. Under normal circumstances, the signature documents required for opening an account can be completed on the same day. The account opening is expected to be completed within 20 working days (specifically depending on the bank’s approval time)
• By video conference: The directors witness the bank account opening procedure by video conference or visit in person a specified branch in Mainland China. It takes around 30 working days to open an account (specifically depending on the bank’s approval time)

• Submitting a bank account opening application
• Approval by the Due Diligence Department of the bank
• Final account number issued upon approval from the Due Diligence Department
• Check Book delivered
• Password for online banking delivered
• Activating online banking password
• First log-in of online banking service
• ATM card and password delivered or obtained

Depositing start-up funds

An employer is required to apply for a working visa for any foreigner working in mainland China according to law, and a work permit shall be approved, registered with and issued by the labour administrative department of the place in which the employer operates. Otherwise, it will be deemed as “illegal employment”, and the local government may take legal actions and impose a fine.

HSEC is founded in Hong Kong and has set up offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen at early times. We fully understand the China working visa policies and application process, HSEC has extensive experience in applying for working visa and solving related problems and we provide the following working visa application services for foreigners:

Working Visa for Foreigners : A Chinese employer may employ a foreigner if no suitable candidate is readily available for the job in question in the industry, and such job cannot not be readily taken up by local work force in Chinese market, The accompanying relatives of the foreigner working in China (spouse, parents and children under 18 years of age) may simultaneously apply for residence permit with same length of stay as that of the employee.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be aged 18 or above and healthy
• Have the relevant expertise and 2 years of or above work experience
• Have no criminal record
• Confirm his/her employment
• Hold a passport or any other international travel document

Note: Age and work experience of high-level talents are unrestricted

• Application for Foreigners Employment Permit Notice
• Application for an Occupation Visa (Z Visa)
• Application for Foreigners Work Permit and Foreigner’s Residence Permits

For foreigners who are employed in China, their accompanying relatives (spouses, parents, and children under 18 years of age) may simultaneously apply for residence permits with same length of stay as that of the employee.

• The foreigner’s visa and residence permit application form
• The passport or any valid international travel document
• The temporary residence registration certificate
• A recent personal photograph
• A photocopy of the employer’s business license or registration certificate
• The work permit of the job holder
• A health certificate
• A supporting document issued by the employer
• Certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship (such as a marriage certificate or a birth certificate)

• Consultation of application for China working visa
• Formulation of an application plan and preparation of the required documents
• Handle application, annual inspection and extension of working visa

Tax planning and tax declaration for foreigners and individuals from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

• Foreign nationals, EXCEPT: Nationals of Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam
• The applicant has no criminal record
• The applicant has a good education background or possesses relevant technical qualifications and experience
• There is a genuine job vacancy
• The applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force
• The remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong
• Overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China (PRC) passports must have permanent residence overseas; or have resided overseas for at least one year before the submission of applications

• An application form
• The applicant’s recent photograph
• Photocopy of travel document
• Photocopy of the identity card
• Photocopies of proof of academic qualifications and relevant experience
• Photocopy of proof of overseas residence (for overseas Chinese nationals holding PRC passports only)

• An application form
• The applicant’s recent photograph
• Photocopy of travel document
• Photocopy of the identity card
• Photocopies of proof of academic qualifications and relevant experience
• A letter of consent in relation to working in Hong Kong from the present employer or relevant authorities (for Mainland residents only)

Documents to be Submitted by the Employers

• An application form
• A photocopy of the employment contract containing information about post, salaries, other fringe benefits and employment periods etc.
• A photocopy of the Business Registration Certificate
• Photocopies of proof of financial standing of the company (e.g. latest audited financial report, profit and loss account and tax return, etc.)
• The company profile (e.g. business activities, mode of operation, products and markets, etc.)
• A detailed business plan (for a company newly set-up within 1 year only)

Limit of Stay

It will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months if first entry in Hong Kong, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain in Hong Kong on time limitation on 3-3 years pattern, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.

Change of Employment

• Persons who have been admitted to work in Hong Kong under the scheme may apply for change of employment after arrival
• The applicant shall continue to fulfill the aforesaid “eligibility criteria” and is employed in a job relevant to his/her qualification and expertise

 

 

 

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates

Non-local graduates here refer to persons from outside Hong Kong who have obtained degrees or higher qualifications in full-time and locally accredited programmes in Hong Kong.

Eligibility Criteria

• Non-local graduates who submit applications within six months after the date of their graduation are classified as “fresh graduates”
• Non-local graduates who submit applications beyond six months of the date of their graduation are classified as “returning graduates”
• Non-local fresh graduates are not required to secure an offer of employment upon applications, provided that normal immigration requirements are met
• Returning non-local graduates are required to secure an offer of employment upon applications

Documents to be Submitted by the Applicants

• An application form
• The applicant’s recent photograph
• A travel document and its photocopy
• The identity card and its photocopy
• A photocopy of transcript of academic records

Documents to be Submitted by the Employers

• An application form
• A photocopy of the employment contract containing information about post, salaries, other fringe benefits and employment periods etc.
• A photocopy of the Business Registration Certificate
• Photocopies of proof of financial standing of the company (e.g. latest audited financial report, profit and loss account and tax return, etc.)
• A detailed business plan (for a company newly set-up within 1 year only)

Limit of Stay

It will normally be granted an initial stay of 12 months if first entry in Hong Kong. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain in Hong Kong on time limitation on 2-2-3 years pattern.

Change of Employment

• Persons who have been admitted to work in Hong Kong under the IANG may apply for change of employment after arrival
• The applicant shall continue to fulfill the aforesaid “eligibility criteria” and is employed in a job relevant to his/her qualification and expertise

Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)

In order to overcome talent shortages and to nurture local talents, the Innovation and Technology Commission introduced the ‘Technology Talent Admission Scheme’ (TechTAS). TechTAS is a three-year scheme which aims to provide a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies/institutes to admit overseas and Mainland technology talents. Under TechTAS, the applicant technology companies/institutes are not required to demonstrate the talent shortage in each case. As a result, the actual admission procedure will be streamlined and the duration of employment visa application will be shortened.

Eligibility

• The applicant company/institute:

A tenant/incubatee of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) or Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) engaged in the area of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, data analytics, financial technologies or material science is eligible to submit the quota application under TechTAS.

• The non-local technology talent:

• • must be employed as a full-time employee in Hong Kong by the applicant company/institute;

• • must be engaged principally in conducting R&D in the area of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, data analytics, financial technologies or material science;

• • must be a degree-holder in STEM subjects from a well-recognised university (Work experience is not required for those holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree, whereas a minimum of one year of work experience in relevant technology areas is required for those holding a Bachelor’s degree only) ;

• • must be offered a remuneration similar to the prevailing market rates for the comparable jobs in Hong Kong.

Quota Application

An admission quota of not more than 100 persons per year will be given to each successful applicant company/institute.

The local talent employment requirement under TechTAS

The applicant company/institute has to comply with the local talent employment requirement i.e. the applicant company/institute shall need to employ one new local full-time employee plus two local interns for every three non-local persons approved to be admitted under TechTAS.

Application Procedure

• An eligible technology company/institute applies for a quota (apply through HKSTPC or Cyberport)
• The quota is allotted
• The eligible technology company/institute uses the quota
• An employment visa has to be applied for the eligible person (application to be submitted to Immigration Department)
• The employment visa is approved

Limit of Stay

It will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months if first entry in Hong Kong, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain in Hong Kong on time limitation on 3-3 years pattern, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.

Entry of Dependants

The person admitted under the TechTAS may apply to bring in his/her spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong under the prevailing dependant policy.

 

 

Employment as Imported Workers in Hong Kong 

The Supplementary Labour Scheme is implemented in Hong Kong, allowing employers with genuine difficulties in finding suitable employees locally to import workers at technician level or below from outside Hong Kong.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant is suitably qualified and experienced for the job in question
• The terms and conditions of employment are comparable to those in the local market
• The applicant will remain under the direct employment of the employer for a specific job and will not be contracted out to other companies or sub-contractors
• There is no adverse record to the detriment of the applicant and the employer
• The employer is financially capable of employing the applicant, providing him/her with suitable accommodation and of guaranteeing his/her maintenance and repatriation upon termination of his/her contract

Documents to be Submitted by the Applicants

• An application form for entry for employment as imported workers in Hong Kong
• The applicant’s recent photograph
• A travel document or the identity card
• Proofs of academic qualifications and relevant working experience
• a medical report

Documents to be Submitted by the Employers

• An application form for employment of imported workers in Hong Kong
• The employment contract
• The approval letter issued by the Labour Department
• Any other documents and information required by the Immigration Department

Limit of Stay

• An imported worker may apply for extension of stay to work in Hong Kong within 4 weeks before the limit of stay expires for completion of the employment contract
• The imported worker is required to return to his/her place of origin on completion of his/her employment contract
• If the contract is pre-maturely terminated, the worker is only permitted to remain in Hong Kong for two weeks from the date of termination of contract or the balance of permitted stay, whichever is shorter

 

 

 

Entry of Dependants

Applicants admitted under the GES, ASMTP or IANG may apply for dependant’s visa for their spouses and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Dependants are not prohibited from taking up employment in Hong Kong.

Conditions on Admission of Dependants

• There is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependant and the sponsor
• There is no criminal record of the dependant
• The sponsor is able to support the dependant’s living at a standard above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in Hong Kong

Documents to be Submitted by the Dependants

• An application form
• The dependant’s recent photograph
• Photocopy of the identity card
• Photocopy of proof of the applicant’s relationship with the dependant

Limit of Stay

• The length of stay of such dependants will be linked to that of their sponsors upon the approval of the application
• Dependants are required to leave Hong Kong when the sponsors leave
• Persons who have legally resided in Hong Kong for 7 years or above may apply for permanent rights of abode

It will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months if first entry in Hong Kong, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain in Hong Kong on time limitation on 3-3 years pattern, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.

• Persons who have been admitted to work in Hong Kong under the scheme may apply for change of employment after arrival.
• The applicant shall continue to fulfill the aforesaid “eligibility criteria” and is employed in a job relevant to his/her qualification and expertise.

Chinese residents of the Mainland who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong may apply for the scheme to work in Hong Kong.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mainland residents
• The applicant has no criminal record
• The applicant holds a bachelor’s degree or above, or possesses relevant technical qualifications, professional expertise, working experience and achievements
• There is a genuine job vacancy
• The applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force
• The remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong

• An application form
• A photocopy of the employment contract containing information about post, salaries, other fringe benefits and employment periods etc.
• A photocopy of the Business Registration Certificate
• Photocopies of proof of financial standing of the company (e.g. latest audited financial report, profit and loss account and tax return, etc.)
• The company profile (e.g. business activities, mode of operation, products and markets, etc.)
• A detailed business plan (for a company newly set-up within 1 year only)