Hong Kong•AsiaSector-specific Labour Importation Scheme - Transport (運輸業輸入勞工計劃)
At a Glance
1 month
HKD $9,930
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Import public light bus and coach drivers for up to 24 months to address Hong Kong transport shortages; employer-sponsored with strict quotas.
The Sector-specific Labour Importation Scheme for Transport allows Hong Kong employers holding a PSL for public light buses or coaches to hire foreign professional drivers to address staffing shortages. Applicants must hold a valid non-local driving licence and relevant experience. The scheme requires employers to demonstrate local recruitment efforts before importing labour.
Duration extends up to 24 months, matching the employment contract, with renewal requiring fresh quota application. The entry permit fee is HKD 330; employers pay an additional Employees Retraining Levy of HKD 9,600. Spouses cannot work. Processing takes approximately 6 weeks from receipt of required documents.
This visa is ideal for experienced professional drivers from abroad seeking to contribute to Hong Kong's public transport workforce in a temporary, employer-specific role.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
1,700 total (900 PLB drivers + 800 coach drivers), fully allocated across two rounds (September 2023, July 2024); January 2026 round for contract renewals only. Future rounds subject to government review.
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Employer must possess a valid Passenger Service Licence (PSL) for operating public light buses or relevant public buses.
Must prove genuine difficulties in recruiting local drivers.
Must offer salary and benefits comparable to the local market.
Applicant must hold a recognised non-local driving licence for the equivalent class of vehicle.
Applicant must be suitably qualified and experienced.
Must comply with the quota limits set by the Transport Department.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Application form for Labour Importation Scheme (Transport Sector).
Valid Passenger Service Licence (PSL).
Proof of local recruitment efforts.
Standard Employment Contract.
Applicant's travel document.
Proof of recognised non-local driving licence.
Proof of relevant work experience.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Clear 42-day processing timeline from receipt of all required documents
- Up to 24 months employment contract duration with opportunity for renewal
- Employer handles key administrative requirements reducing applicant burden
- Government-set salary parity requirement protects against wage exploitation
- Addresses genuine labor shortage in critical public transport infrastructure
- Streamlined quota system (1,700 positions across two scheme rounds)
- All required forms and processes documented on official government portals
Worth Knowing
- Total fees of HKD 9,930 (HKD 330 visa + HKD 9,600 retraining levy) spread across contract
- Spouse cannot work; only single-worker sponsorship or dependent restrictions apply
- Renewal requires fresh quota application; no automatic extension after 24 months
- Quota allocation fully consumed in two annual rounds; limited future availability
- No permanent residency pathway; visa strictly tied to employment contract only
- Applicant cannot bring dependents; family reunification not permitted under scheme
Application Process
Qualifying PSL holders submit application for quota to the Transport Department.
Transport Department reviews the application and grants quota.
Employer arranges for prospective drivers to submit visa/entry permit applications to the Immigration Department.
Employer pays the required levy.
ImmD processes the visa/entry permit.
Application Forms
Go to application portal| ID 1030A Application Form for Visa/Entry Permit under Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes (completed by the applicant) | Fill online |
| ID 1030B Application Form for Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes (completed by the employer) | Fill online |
| TD-ID-1 TD Application Form for Labour Importation Scheme (PLB/Coach trade) | Fill online |
| TD-ID-1a Confirmation Form on Local Recruitment | Fill online |
| TD-ID-8b1 Declaration and Authorisation Form | Fill online |
| TD-ID-8b2 Joint Declaration Form on Importing Labour | Fill online |
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