Are you a future talent of Hong Kong, the top global business hub, and still confuse between, GEP and ASMTP? If so, you are at the right place. Whether you’re an international or a Mainland Chinese pro aiming to work in Hong Kong, you’ll need the right employment visa.
The two important employment visas are the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP). This blog will help you learn the differences between them and which one suits your situation best.
What is the General Employment Policy?
The General Employment Policy, GEP, is a work visa applicable to professionals from non-Mainland China. This class targets individuals with skills or knowledge that are of benefit to the economy of Hong Kong.
Who It’s For:
It targets individuals around the world, who can take up roles that are not readily available to be taken up by the local pool of talent. It is not for talent who are from Mainland China.
GEP Visa Requirements:
- A valid job offer in Hong Kong.
- A qualification and experience relevant to the job offer letter.
- A compensation package in line with market standards.
- Proof that the job cannot be easily filled by the local workforce.
What is ASMTP?
The ASMTP is specifically for Mainland China’s skilled professionals. This scheme enables Mainland Chinese professionals to work in Hong Kong industries. However, they require specific expertise that will contribute to the economic development of the city.
Target Group:
The ASMTP is for Mainland Chinese professionals possessing certain valuable skills that Hong Kong businesses require.
ASMTP Requirements:
- A genuine job offer from an employer in Hong Kong.
- Relevant qualification and experience.
- Proof that the business needs to hire from Mainland China due to an insufficient supply of candidates with suitable attributes locally.
Key Differences Between GEP and ASMTP
If you are considering either GEP or ASMTP, then you must note the following differences between the two:
Nationality: GEP is for non-Mainland Chinese professionals, while ASMTP is for Mainland Chinese talents.
Target Applicants: GEP is for all foreign professionals with the requisite skills that will be beneficial to Hong Kong. On the other hand, ASMTP focuses on talents drawn from Mainland China.
Skill Requirement: While both schemes require applicants to have specialized skills, ASMTP specially requires skills in sectors where Mainland Chinese professionals would make greater contribution.
Employment Visa Requirements for GEP and ASMTP in Hong Kong
There are similar basic requirements between two work visas while some differ altogether.
Detailed Requirements:
GEP: Provide proof of expertise together with a job offer. Demonstrate that the skill set is not locally available.
ASMTP: Mainland Chinese professionals must show how the particular skill set would be important for the position being offered in Hong Kong.
Employer Responsibilities: Employers must be able to prove that local talent in a particular area is scarce. They also need to prove that it would be impossible to fill a position without hiring a foreign or Mainland professional.
Hong Kong Employment Visa Application
Following is a step-by-step approach to applying for either the GEP or the ASMTP:
Registration and Application:
- Register online through Hong Kong’s Immigration Department portal.
- Fill out, accordingly, either the General Employment Policy or ASMTP application form and attach all the required documents.
Documents:
- Employment contract or job offer letter.
- Proof of Qualifications such as degrees and certification.
- Financial statements of the employer (for GEP).
Once all documents are received, the application is subjected to a processing review, which generally takes 4-8 weeks.
Common Reasons for Rejection of Hong Kong Employment Visa Application
For various reasons, applications get rejected, but here are the most common:
Most Common Grounds for Rejection:
Incomplete documentation: The inability to provide all vital documents results in rejection.
Incorrect job category: If the job does not fall within the area requiring special skills, then the application may get rejected.
Compensation unsatisfactory according to market standards: The remuneration scale needs to be at par with Hong Kong’s employment standards.
How to Avoid a Employment Visa Rejection:
- Make sure all documents are accurate and complete.
- Clearly explain how important your skills are and in what way that would contribute towards Hong Kong’s economy.
- Ensure the compensation offered is in accordance with market expectations.
Which Hong Kong Employment Visa Suits You?
Your nationality and particular nature of job may make either GEP or ASMTP.
GEP: Professionals who aren’t from the Mainland Chinese are indeed having a very good option. The Mainland Chinese professionals: ASMTP is suitable for your instance.
Examples:
- The software engineer resident in the U.S. is being offered a position in Hong Kong’s tech industry under GEP.
- The Mainland Chinese data scientist contracted by a Hong Kong FinTech company would be using ASMTP.
Conclusion: Deciding the Right Employment Visa
Your nationality and the job you are applying for will be the key factors that will determine your choice between GEP and ASMTP.
While both visas offer the applicant a chance to work in Hong Kong, careful consideration of eligibility requirements will ensure a smoother application process.
Avoid common application mistakes that make you ineligible for the best chance of success.
How FastLane HR Can Help
The process of a Visa Application can be complex and tricky to understand. FastLane HR will guide and advise you on which visa best suits you, with particular emphasis on ease regarding the application process.
Be it GEP or ASMTP, we assist in everything from documentation that needs to be compiled up to managing the actual application process. We’ve been assisting wide range of clients for different types of work visas in Hong Kong and the successful rate is 100%.
Contact FastLane HR and Let us handle all the details, while focusing on your career in Hong Kong.