With effect from 8 April, eligible non-permanent residents who are admitted into Hong Kong under the following immigration policies/schemes and whose limit of stay is about to expire – but are presently outside Hong Kong may apply for an extension of stay under the new measure:
- General Employment Policy (including both employment and investment as entrepreneurs);
- Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
- Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates;
- Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents;
- Technology Talent Admission Scheme;
- Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
- residence as dependants; and
- students enrolled in full-time study programmes.
Eligible applicants may submit the applications online (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/evisaonline.html) in accordance with the prevailing application procedures for an extension of stay. If the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria under the relevant visa the ImmD may approve his/her application for an extension of stay. Successful applicants can then download the “e-Visa” after having paid the relevant fee.
Applicants will be able to complete the whole process and activate the “e-Visa” for an extension of stay from outside Hong Kong. The new measure will replace the temporary measure announced by the ImmD on 31 December, 2020.