What Is ASMTP, and Who Is It For?
If you're a foreign citizen seeking potential employment in Hong Kong, or if you're a Hong Kong-based employer looking to hire a foreign national, you will have to apply for an employment visa. One of the most commonly issued visas is ASMTP, which we will explain in this article.
What Is ASMTP, and Who Can Apply Under It?
The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) is an employment visa issued to Chinese residents of Mainland China and Taiwan in Hong Kong. ASMTP is similar to the General Employment Policy (GEP), an employment visa for overseas applicants.
ASMTP targets skilled and knowledgeable professionals who can make significant contributions to Hong Kong's economy and society. It favours positions in industries that are not readily available in Hong Kong, such as Technology, Financial Services, and Healthcare. You can find the complete list of professions and industries on the Talent List.
The applicant should have an academic degree to apply for a visa under the ASMTP successfully. A master's degree or higher is especially favoured. A formal degree isn't required if the applicant has a highly sought-after skillset or extensive work experience, ideally in a professional or supervisory role.
Before applying under the ASMTP, the applicant must have an offer of employment in a relevant role, and the compensation must match market rates. Additionally, they must meet the primary prerequisites of having no criminal record and not being a national security concern.
Multipl2e Entry Permit for Taiwanese Residents
Along with obtaining or renewing a visa under the ASMTP, Taiwanese nationals must also apply for a Multiple Entry Permit. It's a type of re-entry permit that allows the holder to make multiple trips to Hong Kong.
How to Apply for an Employment Visa under ASMTP
Before proceeding, ensure that the employer and the employee meet the eligibility criteria.
The employing company and applicant must prepare several supporting documents before applying under the ASMTP.
The employing company must provide the following documentation:
Application form (ID 990B)
Business Registration Certificate
Employment contract detailing basic employment information and period, salary, and benefits
Proof of finances (e.g., financial reports, profit tax return)
A detailed business plan and any other additional relevant information about the business
Proof of sufficient office space for the new employee
Proof of local hiring efforts or an explanation of why no local hiring efforts were made
Applicants must submit the following documentation:
Application form (ID 990A)
Recently taken photo
Travel documents
Academic qualifications
Records of any additional qualifications
Records of prior employment and relevant work experience
Hong Kong identity card (if applicable)
Letter of consent from the applicant's current employer or Mainland authorities (Mainland residents only)
Macau identity card (Macau residents only)
Household registration in Taiwan and identity card (Taiwan residents only)
Proof of applicant's overseas residence (overseas Chinese with PRC passports only)
Note that the Immigration Department may ask for additional supporting documents not included in these lists.
Once all required documents are ready, the employer can submit them to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong in person, online, or by post. They also have to pay an application processing fee.
Entry Options for Immediate Family Members Under ASMTP
Hong Kong allows the applicant's spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 to enter Hong Kong under the dependant policy.
The applicant under ASMTP is the dependant's sponsor, and they must be able to support them during their stay. The applicant must provide normal living conditions and accommodation for the dependant.
Once approved, the dependant's length of stay is the same as the sponsor's.
An enticing prospect for dependants is that they can seek employment or study in Hong Kong without previous approval by the Immigration Department.
Alternatives to the ASMTP
A few other visa schemes in Hong Kong are available for individuals who don't wish to pursue entry under the ASMTP.
Recent graduates from full-time, locally accredited programmes in Hong Kong or the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can apply for a visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG).
If the applicant doesn't have an offer of employment, they can still enter Hong Kong under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) if eligible. Note that only top earners and graduates from top universities are accepted under the TTPS. Additionally, there's an annual quota of 10,000 applicants.
FAQ
What’s the Annual Quota for ASMTP Applicants?
The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) is quota-free. This means there is no restriction on how many applicants under the ASMTP can enter Hong Kong.
What Is the Processing Time for an ASMTP Application?
The average processing time for applications under the ASMTP takes around four to six weeks after supporting all required documents.
What Supporting Documents Are Required for Dependants?
The dependant must submit the following documentation to obtain a dependant visa:
Application form
Valid travel documents
Proof of a genuine relationship with the sponsor (applicant)
Proof that the sponsor (applicant) can support the dependant above the subsistence level and provide accommodation
No detrimental records that could harm the applicant's case for entry (e.g., criminal records)
How to Enter the HKSAR Once Approval Has Been Granted?
The applicant will receive an electronic visa after their visa application has been successfully approved. They can use the e-Visa along with their passport or Multi Entry Permit to enter Hong Kong.
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