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Immigrate to Hong Kong from South Africa

Immigrate to Hong Kong from South Africa

South African nationals may enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region visa-free for a period that does not exceed 30 days. However, for those who wish to immigrate to Hong Kong from South Africa, a medium to long-term stay will be conditioned by having a proper residence permit.

Those who choose to relocate to Hong Kong from South Africa can do so for purposes related to general employment, employment as special-skilled migrants, study, business, or family reunification.

Once a foreign national lives in Hong Kong for a certain period, he or she may choose to apply for the right of abode – which is essentially permanent residency in Hong Kong.

Our Hong Kong lawyers specializing in immigration matters can help you move from South Africa to HKSAR and handle all the necessary formalities with the local authorities.

Types of visas

South African citizens who wish to immigrate to Hong Kong can apply for entry permits under the following categories:

  • General employment: for foreign nationals who are employed by a Hong Kong company (subject to rules);
  • Top talent pass: for persons with a significant annual income and certain degree graduates;
  • Quality migrant admission: for foreigners who meet the points-based test that assesses certain qualifications;
  • Capital Investment Entrant: those who make a minimum investment in certain types of assets; if you want to immigrate to Hong Kong from South Africa under this scheme our team will give you more details;
  • Study: for applicants who have been admitted to a private school/locally accredited programme/higher education institution;
  • Dependants: the spouse, partner, or children of foreign nationals who have been admitted for entry; our attorneys in Hong Kong can give you more details about the conditions.

Some of the fees and processing times you can take into account if you immigrate to Hong Kong from South Africa are the following:

  • entry permits can take between 4 and 6 weeks to process (depending on the type and other criteria);
  • an ordinary visa is subject to a fee of HK$230;
  • a fee of HK$230 is payable when changing the conditions of stay;
  • the minimum investment amount for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is HK$30 million net.

Document requirements

All entry permit applications are subject to the submission of a complete and correct set of documents. Generally, these documents are divided into visa-specific ones and general ones.

Our immigration lawyers in Hong Kong list the most important documents to be presented by a foreigner who will move to Hong Kong from South Africa for general employment purposes:

  • proof of employment with a Hong Kong company that has a genuine need to employ the foreign national;
  • proof of sufficient income/satisfactory remuneration package;
  • filled-in application form;
  • copy of the valid travel document;
  • recent photograph;
  • the required forms and documents that are submitted by the employing company;
  • the documentation for accompanying dependants (if applicable).

If you want to move to Hong Kong from South Africa based on the general employment policy, our team can give you more details about the conditions you will need to observe, as well as the duties of the employing company.

Remaining in Hong Kong

Lawfully living in Hong Kong, and taking up permanent residence here, can result in acquiring the right of abode. Our lawyers in Hong Kong can give you more details about your rights once you acquire this status, as well as the eligibility criteria.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to relocate to Hong Kong from South Africa. We can assist you as soon as you are ready to apply for an entry permit, and once you arrive in the HKSAR.