The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on 12 November 2025 an expansion of its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (commonly called the STV Scheme). Effective immediately, the roster of eligible sectors grows from 12 to 17, adding Environment, Occupational Safety & Health, Maritime, Think Tanks and a catch-all ‘Others’ category. The list of authorised host organisations that can issue invitation letters rises to about 490, up from 400.
The STV Scheme allows approved visitors to undertake remunerated activities for up to 14 consecutive days per trip without holding an employment visa. Typical use-cases include keynote speakers at sustainability conferences, maritime-law arbitrators and visiting think-tank researchers collaborating with Hong Kong counterparts.
![Hong Kong widens Short-Term Visitor Talent Scheme to 17 sectors and 490 host organisations]()
For mainland Chinese employers dispatching staff to Hong Kong, the change simplifies compliance: invitation letters from an authorised host suffice for immigration clearance, avoiding the four-to-six-week processing time for Employment Visas. Conversely, Hong Kong corporates can bring in foreign experts more nimbly to meet project deadlines, a competitive advantage noted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
The expansion aligns with Hong Kong’s broader talent-attraction strategy, which now includes a Top-Talent Pass, relaxed dependent-visa rules and fast-track permanent-residence pathways. According to government data, the various talent schemes have logged 280,000 approvals since late 2022, with roughly two-thirds already in the city.
Companies should nevertheless monitor activity scope: if short-term visitors extend beyond 14 days or shift into routine roles, an employment visa will still be required. Payroll teams must also verify tax liability, as remuneration paid for work performed in Hong Kong may attract salaries tax even for short stays.
The STV Scheme allows approved visitors to undertake remunerated activities for up to 14 consecutive days per trip without holding an employment visa. Typical use-cases include keynote speakers at sustainability conferences, maritime-law arbitrators and visiting think-tank researchers collaborating with Hong Kong counterparts.
For mainland Chinese employers dispatching staff to Hong Kong, the change simplifies compliance: invitation letters from an authorised host suffice for immigration clearance, avoiding the four-to-six-week processing time for Employment Visas. Conversely, Hong Kong corporates can bring in foreign experts more nimbly to meet project deadlines, a competitive advantage noted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
The expansion aligns with Hong Kong’s broader talent-attraction strategy, which now includes a Top-Talent Pass, relaxed dependent-visa rules and fast-track permanent-residence pathways. According to government data, the various talent schemes have logged 280,000 approvals since late 2022, with roughly two-thirds already in the city.
Companies should nevertheless monitor activity scope: if short-term visitors extend beyond 14 days or shift into routine roles, an employment visa will still be required. Payroll teams must also verify tax liability, as remuneration paid for work performed in Hong Kong may attract salaries tax even for short stays.
