Government information


The Immigration Department Accepts Applications for Extension of Stay from Hong Kong Non-permanent Residents Outside Hong Kong under the Pandemic

In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a new facilitation measure will be implemented by the Immigration Department (ImmD) with effect from 8 April 2022 that eligible non-permanent residents who are outside Hong Kong may apply for extension of stay (“new measure”). Tentatively, the validity of the new measure will expire on 31 December 2022. Depending on the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, ImmD will review whether to extend the measure in due course.

Before the implementation of the new measure, persons applying for extension of stay are required to be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the “e-Visa” (or the traditional label) for extension of stay. As the fifth wave of the epidemic is severe and is expected to last for some time, ImmD has been actively exploring on how to further facilitate Hong Kong non-permanent residents who are outside Hong Kong and are unable to return to Hong Kong timely to apply for extension of stay under the pandemic.

With effect from 8 April 2022, 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 (generally within four weeks) but are presently outside Hong Kong may apply for an extension of stay under the new measure:

  1. General Employment Policy (including both employment and investment as entrepreneurs);

  2. Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;

  3. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;

  4. Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates;

  5. Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents;

  6. Technology Talent Admission Scheme;

  7. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;

  8. residence as dependants; and

  9. students enrolled in full-time study programmes.

Eligible applicants may submit the applications online or through their sponsors / authorised representatives in Hong Kong in accordance with the prevailing application procedures for extension of stay. If the applicant concerned continues to meet the eligibility criteria under the relevant immigration policy / scheme and it is satisfied that his/her circumstances are continuation of his/her previous residence in Hong Kong, ImmD may approve his/her application for extension of stay. Successful applicants may download the “e-Visa” for extension of stay upon payment of fee. Applicants will be able to complete the whole process and activate the “e-Visa” for extension of stay from outside Hong Kong.

The new measure will replace the temporary measure announced by ImmD on 31 December 2020 in respect of non-permanent residents outside Hong Kong applying for returning to Hong Kong due to pandemic (for details, please refer to https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202012/31/P2020123100764.htm) (old temporary measure). For details of the arrangements for changing from the old temporary measure to the new measure, please refer to transitional arrangements.

Non-permanent residents are reminded that the approval of extension of stay does not constitute any implication or acknowledgement from ImmD that they can fulfil the ordinary residence requirement under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap.115 for acquiring the right of abode. Even if their applications for extension of stay are approved, whether they can fulfil the 7-year continuous ordinary residence requirement for acquiring the right of abode in Hong Kong will have to be assessed by ImmD at the time when they apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card.

Transitional Arrangements

Transitional Arrangements for changing from the old temporary measure(Note 1) to the new measure(Note 2)

ScenarioArrangement under the new measure
(i)

Non-permanent residents whose applications to return to Hong Kong under the old temporary measure have already been approved.

Have already collected the entry visa / permit but did not return to Hong Kong within its validity (i.e. the entry visa / permit has expired).

Non-permanent residents may change to apply to ImmD for an extension of stay by using the designated form (ID 92). If the application is approved, applicants may download the “e-Visa” for extension of stay after payment of fee.

Have already collected the entry visa / permit and it is still valid. They may continue to use the entry visa / permit to return to Hong Kong within its validity.

Have not yet collected the entry visa / permit.

(ii)

Non-permanent residents who have already submitted applications for returning to Hong Kong under the old temporary measure and the applications are still under processing by ImmD (i.e. the applicants have not yet received the notification of result from ImmD as at 7 April 2022).

Applicants do not need to re-submit applications. ImmD will process the applications under the new measure.

(iii)

Eligible non-permanent residents who have not submitted applications for returning to Hong Kong previously.

Eligible non-permanent residents may apply for an extension of stay under the new measure.

[Note: They need to apply in accordance with the general procedures for applications for extension of stay. The above designated form (ID 92) is NOT APPLICABLE to them].

Note 1: The old temporary measure refers to the arrangement announced on 31 December 2020 in respect of non-permanent residents outside Hong Kong applying for entry visa / permit to return to Hong Kong due to the pandemic (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202012/31/P2020123100764.htm).

Note 2: The new measure refers to the measure implemented with effect from 8 April 2022 in respect of eligible non-permanent residents outside Hong Kong applying for extension of stay.

 

 
Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.How can I submit an application for extension of stay under the new facilitation measure (“new measure”)?

Eligible applicants may submit the applications for extension of stay online. Alternatively, they may submit the applications by post or drop-in boxes through their sponsors / authorised representatives in Hong Kong to (Note 3) :

Receipt and Despatch Sub-unit, Immigration Department
2/F, Immigration Tower,
7 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Note 3: The designated form (ID92) for conversion to extension of stay under the transitional arrangement is NOT APPLICABLE to applicants who have not previously been approved for / issued with an entry visa / permit to return to Hong Kong under the old temporary measure.

Q2.Which application form should I use and what supporting documents are required for applying for extension of stay under the new measure?

Applicants should follow the prevailing procedures for applications for extension of stay, including making use of the relevant application forms as appropriate(Note 4) and furnishing of relevant supporting documents. For details, please refer to the following link:

https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/extension_of_stay_others.html

To be considered for an extension of stay under the new measure, applicants should continue to meet the eligibility criteria under the relevant immigration policy / scheme they have previously been admitted into Hong Kong. Furthermore, the new measure is only applicable to applicants whose circumstances are continuation of their previous residence in Hong Kong and with no changes.

Note 4: See the answer to Question 1 (including Note 3) above also. For submission of applications by post or drop-in-boxes, Capital Investment Entrant Scheme entrants should complete application form ID 967 while other applicants should complete application form ID 91.

Q3.If my application for extension of stay under the new measure is approved, do I need to return to Hong Kong within a specific period for the extended limit of stay to take effect?

If the applications for extension of stay are approved, the extended limit of stay will take effect immediately upon the applicants’ payment of the relevant fee for extension of stay and collection of the “e-Visa” for extension of stay. Successful applicants may pay the relevant fee through the online payment link provided in the notification of the application result, and then download or print the “e-Visa” for extension of stay by themselves. They may return to Hong Kong within the extended limit of stay as stated on the “e-Visa” for extension of stay.

Q4.How do I make further enquiries on the new measure?

You may contact the relevant Sections by phone or by email, in accordance with the immigration policy / scheme you are admitted:

SectionTelephone Number
Email

Extension Section

  1. Entrants and their dependants admitted under:

    • General Employment Policy; and

    • Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents

  2. Dependants of Hong Kong permanent residents or residents who are not subject to a limit of stay

  3. non-Mainland students and their dependants

2829 3100
es_section3@immd.gov.hk

Quality Migrants and
Mainland Residents Section

  1. Entrants and their dependants admitted under:

    • Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;

    • Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;

    • Technology Talent Admission Scheme; and

    • Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates

  2. Mainland students and their dependants

2294 2050
qmmr@immd.gov.hk

Other Visas and Permits Section

Entrants and their dependants admitted under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

2829 3232
cies@immd.gov.hk


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