According to the latest report from Hong Kong media, some mainlanders who work in Hong Kong have recently spoken out on social platforms, saying that they encountered an unusual phenomenon when renewing their visas:

The visas that were usually valid for 2 to 3 years have now been greatly reduced to 2 to 3 months.

What is the reason behind this change? How can we effectively avoid such situations?

01

The renewal period is only 2 to 3 months

What's going on?

Hong Kong reporters reported that they noticed on different social platforms that some "high talents" reflected that their families had been working and living in Hong Kong for two years, but when renewing their visas, they only obtained a validity period of two and a half months, facing the risk of visa interruption.

After checking the relevant information, we found that the relevant policies of the "High Talent Pass Program" have indeed changed in the detailed description.

The latest policy is as follows:

If the application is approved, the applicant can usually be allowed to extend the stay for no more than three years, or until the expiration of the validity period of his employment contract in Hong Kong, whichever is shorter, and will not be subject to other stay conditions during this period.

In fact, Immigration Director Guo Junfeng has responded to the issue of "too short renewal time" at the annual summary press conference earlier.

He pointed out that the approval of renewal applications is determined based on the specific circumstances of each case. If the approved renewal time is shorter, it may be related to the validity period of the applicant's certificate or employment contract.

Some people believe that this may be a measure taken by the Hong Kong authorities to prevent people from obtaining long-term renewals by looking for short-term jobs.

In short, the renewal of Hong Kong identity is not as simple as submitting application materials. It also requires long-term planning and preparation, including work arrangements, living conditions, contributions to Hong Kong, etc., to ensure that the renewal is completed smoothly and correctly until the final Hong Kong permanent resident status is obtained.

02

Key points for Gaocaitong renewal

❶ When to submit a renewal application?

According to the new policy implemented on November 1, 2024, Gaocaitong people can submit a renewal application within three months before their visa expires to ensure that there is enough time to prepare and organize the documents required for renewal.

After submitting all the required materials, the Immigration Department will generally announce the result of the application within 2 to 3 weeks.

❷ What factors should be taken into consideration when renewing?

For those who have been employed in Hong Kong, factors such as whether their salary and benefits meet the market level, the economic benefits brought by the work (such as tax contribution), the contract period, and the time they stay in Hong Kong during the validity period of the visa need to be considered when renewing.

For applicants who start or participate in a business in Hong Kong, their business operations and development should be considered when renewing, such as turnover, financial resources, investment funds, the number of positions opened locally, the economic benefits brought by the business, and the time they stay in Hong Kong.

❸ From the perspective of the number of days required for renewal and permanent residence, how many days do you need to stay in Hong Kong?

If you want to successfully renew your visa until you obtain permanent residence, the applicant must live in Hong Kong for more than half of the time every year for 7 consecutive years.

In addition, if the applicant often travels for work, but his spouse and children live in Hong Kong, this situation will also be considered by the Immigration Department when reviewing and approving.

The High Talent Program is one of Hong Kong's most popular talent introduction programs. As of the end of last year, the program has received nearly 120,000 applications, of which more than 90,000 have been approved.

If you are interested in applying for the High Talent Program or have a renewal requirement, please contact Xingyunhai International. We will provide you with a tailor-made exclusive solution.