Imported Workers

This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment as imported workers under the Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS).

The SLS is implemented in the HKSAR to handle applications for importation of labour at technician level or below. Administered by the Labour Department of the HKSAR, it allows employers with genuine difficulties in finding suitable employees locally to import workers from outside the HKSAR.

Employers intending to import workers under the SLS need to first apply to the SLS Application Office of the Labour Department for approval-in-principle. Subject to the grant of approval-in-principle, employers shall arrange for their prospective workers to each submit a visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department within the period specified in the approval-in-principle letter. The approval-in-principle will automatically lapse if the visa/entry permit application is not submitted on time.

Imported workers admitted under this arrangement are not allowed to bring in their dependants.

This entry arrangement does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.

Eligibility Criteria
 
An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for employment as imported workers under the SLS may be favourably considered if:
 
a. the applicant is suitably qualified and experienced for the job in question;
b. the terms and conditions of employment are comparable to those in the local market;
c. the applicant will remain under the direct employment of the employer for a specific job and will not be contracted out to other companies or sub-contractors;
d. there is no adverse record to the detriment of the applicant and the employer; and
e. the employer is financially capable of employing the applicant, providing him/her with suitable accommodation and of guaranteeing his/her maintenance and repatriation upon termination of his/her contract.
 
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to work in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time.

POL - 23a2 Imported Workers 15-9-2022.pdf

ID(E)1002_Guidebook for entry for employment as imported workers in Hong Kong .pdf

ID1001B_Application form(by the employer).pdf

ID1001A_Application form(by the applicant).pdf

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