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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? A government audit of the Hong Kong Immigration Department has been released and its recommendations are expected to lead to stricter enforcement of visa applications for foreign professionals, intracompany transferees, foreign graduates and entrepreneurs.
What does the change mean? Companies and foreign applicants should expect stricter adherence to existing guidelines on timely submission of supporting documents, closer scrutiny of their efforts to hire local workers and pay foreign workers market-rate wages, and enhanced verification of the authenticity of documents submitted by nonlocal graduates. Additionally, intracompany transferees will be vetted more carefully on the required one year of previous experience.
Background: The audit was conducted to assess the efficiency of the Immigration Department and to find ways to improve procedures. The department agreed with all recommendations made in the audit report. The key findings and recommendations are:
BAL Analysis: Employers and foreign nationals should anticipate tightening of existing rules, new guidance in some areas and closer scrutiny of work permit applications.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Hong Kong. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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