Hong Kong - Visa and Immigration Update.

Good news to all those holding dependant visas who are not currently allowed to work. The Immigration department has released a press release to lift the employment restriction on dependants of persons admitted as Professionals or Capital Investment Entrants: The Immigration Department has announced that the latest policy governing the conditions of stay of dependants. As of 15 May 2006, the dependants of people admitted into Hong Kong for professional employment or as capital investment entrants will not need prior permission from the Director of Immigration before taking up employment in Hong Kong.

An Immigration Department spokesman said this would help enhance Hong Kong's edge in attracting professionals and investors. "The specified categories of dependants granted dependant visas/entry permits on or after May 15, 2006, will be subject only to a limit of stay with no restriction on taking up employment," the spokesman said. "The specified categories of dependants who are currently subject to a condition of stay restricting employment may apply to the Immigration Department for cancellation of the restriction free of charge. Or, they can wait to have the restriction cancelled when they apply for and are granted extension of stay upon expiry of their current limit of stay. "There will be no change to the arrangements applying to dependants of people admitted to study in Hong Kong. They are not allowed to work unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration," the spokesman explained.