What is the Hong Kong General Employment Policy?

The General Employment Policy, usually shortened to GEP, is Hong Kong's main employer sponsored work visa for professionals from overseas, Taiwan, or Macao with a confirmed job offer. It runs on a case by case assessment of your qualifications, the genuine need for the role, and your remuneration package, rather than a points calculation. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the GEP?

Yes. Unlike the Top Talent Pass Scheme or the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, which let some applicants apply before securing work, the GEP requires a confirmed offer of employment for a genuine vacancy before you apply. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do I need a degree to qualify for the GEP?

Usually you need a first degree in a field relevant to the job. If you do not hold a degree, the Immigration Department can instead accept exceptional skills, knowledge, or a strong professional track record that demonstrates an equivalent level of ability. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What is the genuine vacancy test?

It is the requirement that your employer shows the role is a real vacancy relevant to your background that cannot readily be filled by the local workforce. This is generally supported by the company's business registration, financial statements, and an explanation of why the role needs someone with your specific experience, and it is usually the part of the application that decides the outcome.

Is there a minimum salary for the GEP?

There is no single published minimum figure. The Immigration Department instead requires that your whole remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for a comparable role, sector, and seniority in Hong Kong. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does the GEP cost?

GEP applications sit under the Immigration Department's specified schemes fee structure: an application fee of HK$600 per applicant, plus a visa issuance fee on approval of HK$600 for a permitted period of 180 days or less, or HK$1,300 for a longer period. Official source: Immigration Department, New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can my spouse and children join me in Hong Kong?

Generally yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants, provided you can support them well above subsistence level and have suitable accommodation. Dependants are generally not barred from working or studying once admitted. Official source: Immigration Department, Dependants. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long is a GEP visa valid for, and can it be extended?

A GEP visa is generally granted for an initial period of up to 36 months tied to your employer and role, with extensions available afterwards. The exact length granted depends on your contract and the strength of your case, so check the specific period on your own visa label rather than assuming a fixed pattern. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can I switch employer on a GEP visa?

The visa is tied to your specific employer and role, so changing employer or taking on a materially different job generally means a fresh application or notifying the Immigration Department, rather than continuing automatically under the same permission. Confirm the current requirement with the Immigration Department before changing jobs.

Can the GEP lead to permanent residence in Hong Kong?

Continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong for seven years, including time on a GEP visa, can make you eligible to apply for permanent residence and, for non-Chinese nationals, the right of abode. This is a general immigration rule rather than a GEP-specific benefit, and eligibility is assessed on the specific facts of your residence over that period. Official source: Immigration Department, Right of Abode. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

GEP or Top Talent Pass Scheme, which should I choose?

Choose the GEP if you already have a confirmed job offer and want the direct employer sponsored route. Choose the Top Talent Pass Scheme if you do not have a job offer yet and want to move to Hong Kong to search for work, or if you clear its salary or university criteria comfortably and want to apply without waiting on an employer. We help you work out which fits your situation.

Does eMigr8 give legal or immigration advice on the General Employment Policy?

No. We give coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you and your employer prepare a strong application and understand how the route works. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. For legal questions we can connect you with professionals in our network.

Move to Hong Kong on the General Employment Policy

Q: How long does the GEP application take to process?

The Immigration Department states GEP applications normally take around four weeks once all required documents and the fee are received. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Practitioner reports suggest the full process from offer to starting work more commonly runs six to ten weeks in practice, and longer if further information is requested.

The General Employment Policy is Hong Kong's long standing employer sponsored work visa, run by the Immigration Department for professionals from overseas, Taiwan, and Macao who already have a job lined up. Mainland Chinese residents apply through a related but separate route, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, rather than the GEP itself. Official source: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Who it is for

Professionals with a confirmed job offer in Hong Kong and a first degree, or equivalent, that is relevant to the role; Experienced specialists without a formal degree who can show exceptional technical skills or a strong professional track record instead; Employers who need to bring in a named individual for a specific vacancy, rather than someone applying speculatively without a job in hand; People considering Hong Kong alongside the Top Talent Pass Scheme or Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, who already have an offer and want the more direct employer sponsored route; Applicants planning a multi year stay in Hong Kong that could eventually lead toward permanent residence.

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 gives coaching and guidance to help you and your employer understand the General Employment Policy and prepare a strong case. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. Eligibility criteria, salary expectations, fees, and processing times are set by Hong Kong's Immigration Department and can change, so confirm your current position with the Immigration Department or a qualified immigration professional before you rely on anything here.