From today, overseas professionals in environment, occupational safety & health, maritime, think-tank and “other” specialised fields can enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 14 days to work on designated projects, after the SAR government formally expanded its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme).
Launched as a pilot in 2022 and regularised last year, the STV Scheme previously covered 12 sectors ranging from finance to culture. Government data show it has already enabled more than 38,000 experts—from Nobel-winning scientists to Formula E race engineers—to enter the city as visitors and receive remuneration without applying for an employment visa. By raising the sector count to 17 and authorising additional host organisations, officials hope to turbo-charge Hong Kong’s positioning as a “super-connector” for global conferences, research collaborations and mega-events.
![Hong Kong Widens Visa-Free Short-Term Entry Scheme, Adding Five New Professional Sectors]()
For companies, the change slashes lead times for bringing in niche talent. A maritime insurer can now fly in a London-based adjuster to handle an accident claim in the port within 48 hours; a Scandinavian sustainability guru can keynote a green-finance summit with nothing more than an invitation letter and a passport. The only caveats: each stay is limited to two weeks and the visitor must work only on the specified activity.
Industry groups reacted quickly. The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute, for example, hailed its new authorisation under the STV Scheme as a “game-changer” that will speed cross-boundary medical research. Event organisers predict a 15 % bump in international delegate numbers for the Asian Financial Forum and Art Basel Hong Kong next spring.
Immigration lawyers advise HR teams to update mobility policies immediately: while the STV route is simpler than a work visa, travellers remain subject to normal visitor-entry checks and must carry the official invitation letter at all times. Companies found abusing the scheme risk disqualification and prosecution under Hong Kong’s immigration laws.
Launched as a pilot in 2022 and regularised last year, the STV Scheme previously covered 12 sectors ranging from finance to culture. Government data show it has already enabled more than 38,000 experts—from Nobel-winning scientists to Formula E race engineers—to enter the city as visitors and receive remuneration without applying for an employment visa. By raising the sector count to 17 and authorising additional host organisations, officials hope to turbo-charge Hong Kong’s positioning as a “super-connector” for global conferences, research collaborations and mega-events.
For companies, the change slashes lead times for bringing in niche talent. A maritime insurer can now fly in a London-based adjuster to handle an accident claim in the port within 48 hours; a Scandinavian sustainability guru can keynote a green-finance summit with nothing more than an invitation letter and a passport. The only caveats: each stay is limited to two weeks and the visitor must work only on the specified activity.
Industry groups reacted quickly. The Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute, for example, hailed its new authorisation under the STV Scheme as a “game-changer” that will speed cross-boundary medical research. Event organisers predict a 15 % bump in international delegate numbers for the Asian Financial Forum and Art Basel Hong Kong next spring.
Immigration lawyers advise HR teams to update mobility policies immediately: while the STV route is simpler than a work visa, travellers remain subject to normal visitor-entry checks and must carry the official invitation letter at all times. Companies found abusing the scheme risk disqualification and prosecution under Hong Kong’s immigration laws.
