Nearly 80 percent of working visas issued to foreigners under Hong Kong’s General Employment Policy (GEP) in 2025 were for positions lasting less than one year, according to data from the Immigration Department. Of the 31,278 GEP visas approved last year, 24,929 were for short-term contracts, marking a rise from 72.1 percent in 2024 and 64 percent in 2023. Nearly half of successful applicants earned monthly salaries below HK$20,000.
The number of GEP visas granted in 2025 remains below pre-pandemic levels, when annual approvals exceeded 40,000. Mainland Chinese residents are not eligible to apply under this scheme. In the first half of 2026, 13,640 GEP visas were approved, with 68.6 percent for short-term roles and almost half of recipients earning less than HK$20,000 monthly.
The government introduced a new category for “creative industry and performing arts services” in April 2025, with 2,340 approvals recorded so far. Industry experts attribute the rise in short-term visa holders to Hong Kong’s expanding programme of large-scale events aimed at boosting economic diversification beyond finance and real estate. Alexa Chow Yeeping, managing director of ACTS Consulting, highlighted that these positions often include performers and crew supporting major events, which in turn support tourism, retail, hospitality, and catering sectors.
Hong Kong recorded approximately 1.75 million visitors attending over 130 major events between January and June 2026, generating HK$5.8 billion in spending and contributing HK$3.3 billion to the local economy. Among industries with the highest numbers of GEP visa approvals were sports and recreation (4,517), arts and culture, academic research and education, financial services, and commerce and trade.
Sports sector observers noted the growth in international competitions hosted by Hong Kong, often requiring foreign judges, organizers, and artist entourages on short-term visas. Gordon Yau Yick-chung, chairman of the Hong Kong Fitness Guide, remarked that many sports events might go unnoticed by the general public despite a significant increase in activity.
Examining visa approvals by nationality, South Korea accounted for the largest share at 17.6 percent, with over 5,500 visas granted annually in 2024 and 2025—a nearly 85 percent rise compared to 2019. This trend continued in early 2026, with South Korean applicants leading at 2,226, followed by Japan at 1,974. Korean nationals cited relatively favorable salaries, lower taxes, and strong community ties as reasons for choosing Hong Kong over traditional destinations such as the United States and Canada.
The growth in foreign talent has been linked to the government’s “Dedicated Team for Attracting Businesses and Talent” initiative launched in 2022, which leverages overseas Economic and Trade Offices, including the Tokyo branch, to recruit skilled workers. Roy Ying Fai, co-chair of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management’s advocacy and policy research committee, said the city remains appealing to financial professionals amid a robust initial public offering market and rising family office presence.
Conversely, the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong reported no noticeable rise in Japanese nationals post-pandemic, contrasting with government data. Meanwhile, visa approvals for British and American nationals—traditionally the top source countries before the pandemic—have declined sharply. Last year, 2,472 British and 2,121 American nationals received GEP visas, representing declines of 53.2 percent and 47.9 percent respectively from 2019. Australian approvals also decreased by 48.7 percent relative to 2019 numbers.