Hong Kong•AsiaIntra-company Transfer under GEP (公司內部調動)
At a Glance
4 weeks
HKD $1,200–$1,900
Varies by filing options
3 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Transfer existing employees to Hong Kong offices for up to 3 years under the General Employment Policy, requiring minimum 1-year tenure with the parent company.
The Intra-company Transfer visa under Hong Kong's General Employment Policy allows multinational companies to relocate existing employees to their Hong Kong office. Applicants must hold a managerial or professional post, have one year of prior service with the company outside Hong Kong, and receive market-commensurate remuneration. The Immigration Department assesses each application individually.
Initial grants last up to three years or the employment contract duration (whichever is shorter), with extensions in 3+2 pattern. Fees are HKD 600 application (non-refundable) plus HKD 1,300 for stays over 180 days, or HKD 600 for shorter stays (effective 26 February 2025). Dependents may reside; spouses work unrestricted. Processing takes four weeks. Path to permanent residency after seven years.
This visa is ideal for experienced managers or specialists from multinational corporations relocating to head or expand their company's Hong Kong operations.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Hong KongRight of Abode / Permanent Residence (居留權/永久性居民)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a managerial or professional post.
Transferee must have worked for the company outside Hong Kong for at least one year.
Remuneration package must be commensurate with the prevailing market level.
Number of transferees must be reasonable relative to the company's total employment and business nature.
No security objection and no known record of serious crime.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
Experience
1+ years
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Application form (ID 990A/ID 990B).
Employment contract or letter of appointment.
Employee's travel document/passport.
Proof of educational background and relevant work experience.
Business Registration Certificate (may be waived for certain companies).
Proof of financial standing (may be waived for certain companies).
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Up to 3-year initial stay (or employment contract duration); renewable with extensions following 3+2 year pattern
- Path to permanent residency available after 7 years continuous residence
- Spouse can work without restrictions; dependents (spouse and children under 18) can accompany
- Managerial/professional transferees bypass local recruitment requirement; facilitation measures available
- Dual intent permitted — can apply for permanent residency while on this visa
- Fast processing — normally 4 weeks upon receipt of all required documents
- No annual allocation cap; individual merit-based assessment
- Work authorization for sponsoring company from day one of grant
Worth Knowing
- Approval is discretionary and based on individual merits; no guaranteed entitlement
- Transferee must have 1+ year prior employment with the same employer outside Hong Kong
- Must continue meeting qualification criteria (managerial/professional role, market remuneration) for each extension
- Application fee (HKD 600) is non-refundable; visa/entry permit fee depends on stay length
- Must renew every 3 years (or sooner) until reaching 7-year permanent residency threshold
- Requires employer sponsorship and formal job offer; not available to self-employed or freelancers
- Strictly limited to managerial or professional posts; clerical, support, or manual roles non-qualifying
- Security screening applied; any known record of serious crime disqualifies applicant
Application Process
Gather required documents (employer and employee).
Submit application online via the Immigration Department portal.
Pay the application fee (HKD 230).
Wait for processing (normally four weeks upon receipt of all documents).
Collect the e-Visa/entry permit label if approved.
Application Forms
| ID990A — Application for Entry for Employment as Professionals (applicant section) | Fill online |
| ID990B — Application for Employing Professionals in Hong Kong (employer section) | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in Hong Kong
Work visas in other countries
Ready to see if the Intra-company Transfer under GEP (公司內部調動) is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery