In a recent announcement, the Hong Kong Immigration Department announced a new policy for visa renewal applications.
Under the new policy, individuals who are not able to obtain the renewed visa before the expiry date of their current visa, must leave Hong Kong by the expiry date of their current visa. Previously, provided that the visa renewal application had been submitted before the current visa expiry date, the applicant was not required to exit Hong Kong and could remain in Hong Kong to wait for the outcome of the application even after the original visa had expired.
The new policy does not prevent the applicant from later re-entering Hong Kong on visitor status to wait for the approval and/or to collect the renewed visa. This is a significant shift in policy and could also affect future applications for permanent residence if the individual is required to leave Hong Kong.
The Immigration Department now recommends that all visa renewal applications should be submitted at least 6 weeks before the visa expiry date to allow sufficient time for processing the applications
In another shift from previous policy, The Immigration Department has formally implemented an extended application window for visa renewal applications under major talent admission schemes effective from 1 March 2026.
Eligible applicants may now file extension-of-stay applications up to three months before their current visa expires, which is a substantial expansion from the previous practice of
no earlier than four weeks prior to expiry. This is a generous expansion on the old policy and applies to applicants and their dependents holding visas under the following schemes:
- The General Employment Policy (GEP);
- The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP);
- The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS);
- The Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG);
- The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS); and
- Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG).
Holders of visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme have already been eligible to file their visa extension application within 3 months from the visa expiry date since November 2024.
Applicants and their employers should pay close attention to these policy changes particularly as to the impact on any future permanent residence application, where the individual is required to leave Hong Kong and this breaks the qualifying period for permanent residence.
If you require advice or Hong Kong immigration services, please contact Antonia.grant@magrath.co.uk and Rachel.ang@Magrath.sg.
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