2026 Updates to Hong Kong’s Short-Term Visitor Programme: What Employers Need to Know About the 14-Day Designated Activity Arrangement
If a business needs to invite an overseas professional, speaker, performer or other event participant to Hong Kong, it may come across the Technical Arrangement for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors, commonly referred to as the Short-Term Visitor Scheme.
Under the scheme, eligible visitors may take part in designated short-term activities within the approved scope without applying for a visa/entry permit for that designated activity. However, the Short-Term Visitor Scheme is not a general short-term work permit. The “not more than 14 consecutive calendar days” rule does not mean that a visitor can work in Hong Kong in any capacity for 14 days.
For employers and HR teams, the key question is not only how many days the activity will last. The documents and actual arrangements must also match, including:
• whether the activity falls within a designated sector and designated short-term activity;
• whether the sponsoring organisation is recognised by the relevant government bureau or department;
• the activity scope and visitor role stated in the invitation letter;
• the visitor’s immigration status and permitted period of stay; and
• whether the visitor’s actual participation goes beyond the approved scope.
This article explains the purpose and scope of the Short-Term Visitor Scheme, how the 14-day limit works, what an invitation letter does and does not mean, and how employers can establish a basic verification process before arranging for an overseas person to come to Hong Kong.
2026 Short-Term Visitor Scheme updates
The 2026 Policy Address, delivered on 16 September 2026, stated that the Government would further expand the Short-Term Visitor Scheme in the fourth quarter of 2026. The expansion would include adding the Social Welfare sector and recognising more organisations and designated short-term activities.
The Government subsequently announced on 24 September 2026 that the scheme would be expanded with effect from 1 October 2026:
• the Social Welfare sector was added;
• more recognised organisations and designated short-term activities were added in three existing sectors: International/Mega Events, Higher Education and Finance; and
• the number of covered sectors increased from 17 to 18, involving approximately 490 recognised organisations.
The significance of this update is that the scheme now covers a wider range of designated short-term activities and eligible non-local talent. It does not turn visitor status into a general work visa, nor does it change the 14 consecutive calendar-day limit into permission to work in any role for 14 days. Other requirements, including the invitation/guarantee arrangement, the designated activity scope and the visitor’s role, still need to be followed strictly.
As at the end of June 2026, the Government stated that the Pilot Scheme and Short-Term Visitor Scheme had benefited more than 56,000 non-local talents and facilitated their participation in more than 9,500 short-term activities. This helps explain why more employers, event organisers and HR teams are reviewing the scheme’s scope.
What is the Short-Term Visitor Scheme?
The Short-Term Visitor Scheme has been in operation since 1 June 2024. It is intended to provide immigration facilitation for eligible visitors who are invited or guaranteed by a recognised sponsoring organisation to participate in designated short-term activities that are beneficial to the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
According to the Immigration Department’s official information, an eligible visitor does not need to apply for a visa/entry permit for the designated short-term activity. The visitor must still fall within the scheme’s scope and satisfy other applicable immigration conditions.
One important distinction should be made at the outset:
A business should not assume that a person may accept any kind of work or service arrangement simply because the person will be in Hong Kong for a short period.
Which designated sectors are covered?
Following the expansion effective from 1 October 2026, the Short-Term Visitor Scheme covers 18 designated sectors. These sectors relate to talent needs, policy objectives or short-term activities that contribute to Hong Kong’s development, with support or recognition arrangements provided by the relevant government bureaux or departments.
The 18 designated sectors are:
• Healthcare;
• Higher Education;
• Arts and Culture;
• Sports;
• Heritage;
• Creative Industries;
• Innovation and Technology;
• Hong Kong Laureate Forum;
• Aviation;
• International/Mega Events;
• Finance;
• Development and Construction;
• Environment;
• Occupational Safety and Health;
• Maritime;
• Think Tanks;
• Social Welfare; and
• Other sectors designated by the relevant government bureaux or departments.
In addition to adding Social Welfare, the latest expansion added recognised organisations and designated short-term activities in International/Mega Events, Higher Education and Finance. The Immigration Department’s lists of recognised sponsoring organisations, designated activities and facilitation scope may be revised from time to time. Employers should check the latest official information before arranging an activity rather than relying only on past experience or old documents.
How is the 14-consecutive-calendar-day limit calculated?
Under the Short-Term Visitor Scheme, an eligible visitor may participate in designated short-term activities for not more than 14 consecutive calendar days during each period in which the visitor is permitted to remain in Hong Kong as a visitor. The period is counted from the date on which the visitor starts participating in the relevant activity.
For example:
• 11 August is day 1 of the activity;
• 24 August is day 14; and
• from 25 August onwards, the visitor cannot simply continue participating in the same designated short-term activity under the same 14-day period.
Where the scheme’s conditions are satisfied, there is no limit on the number of designated short-term activities in which an eligible visitor may participate during the 14-day period.
However:
• each activity must fall within the applicable designated activity scope;
• the visitor’s actual role must match the role stated in the invitation letter;
• the visitor’s actual permitted period of stay cannot be extended by an invitation letter; and
• “14 days” is not authorisation for general employment.
What if the visitor is permitted to stay for fewer than 14 days?
If the visitor is permitted to remain in Hong Kong for only seven days, the visitor’s actual period for participating in the designated short-term activity is also limited by that seven-day period. The visitor cannot use an invitation letter from the sponsoring organisation to extend the permitted stay to 14 days or more.
Is an invitation letter a visa or work permit?
No. An invitation letter issued by a recognised sponsoring organisation is not a visa/entry permit issued by the Immigration Department, and it does not guarantee that the visitor will be permitted to enter Hong Kong.
Employers and event organisers should note three points.
1. An invitation letter does not necessarily guarantee approval of a visa application
If the visitor is required to hold a visa/entry permit to come to Hong Kong, the visitor must still obtain the appropriate visit visa/entry permit before travelling, in accordance with the current requirements. An invitation letter does not automatically replace that requirement.
2. An invitation letter is not an immigration approval document
On arrival, the visitor remains subject to immigration examination and must satisfy the relevant entry requirements. Even if a recognised sponsoring organisation has issued an invitation letter, this does not guarantee that the visitor will be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
3. The scope stated in the invitation letter must be followed strictly
The invitation letter should clearly state the scope of the designated short-term activity and the eligible visitor’s role. The visitor and the sponsoring organisation should not expand the activity, change the role or arrange other work not covered by the original approval after the visitor arrives.
What activities can visitors generally participate in?
Employers should distinguish between activities that a general visitor may participate in and designated short-term activities under the Short-Term Visitor Scheme. The two concepts are not identical.
The Immigration Department lists some business activities that visitors may participate in, including:
• concluding contracts or participating in tenders and bids;
• inspecting goods or equipment, or supervising their installation and packaging;
• attending exhibitions or trade fairs, but not directly selling goods or supplying services to the public;
• settling claims or conducting civil litigation activities;
• undertaking business or technology study tours by invitation; and
• attending short-term seminars or other meetings.
Subject to the applicable conditions, a visitor may also attend an event to give a speech or make a presentation. However, a speech or presentation involving remuneration may require further checking to establish whether it falls within a designated activity covered by the Short-Term Visitor Scheme.
What may a visitor generally not do?
Under Regulation 2(1) of the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 115A), a person admitted to Hong Kong as a visitor must comply with conditions that include the following:
• the visitor must not take up paid or unpaid employment;
• the visitor must not establish or join in any business; and
• the visitor must not study at a school, university or other educational institution.
The Short-Term Visitor Scheme only provides facilitation for an eligible visitor participating in a designated short-term activity under specified conditions. It does not automatically remove the visitor’s ordinary conditions of stay or allow an employer to arrange work unrelated to the designated activity.
If a visitor wishes to be employed by a business, participate in activities outside the scheme’s scope, or establish or join a business, the visitor should apply to the Immigration Department for the appropriate visa/entry permit.
What should employers and HR teams verify before arranging a visitor’s trip?
Employers can organise the verification work into six steps.
1. Confirm first whether the activity falls within a designated sector
Do not start by asking only, “This person will work for a few days—will that be acceptable?” First confirm whether the activity falls within a designated sector under the Short-Term Visitor Scheme and whether the actual activity is a designated short-term activity under that sector.
2. Check whether the sponsoring organisation is recognised
The Short-Term Visitor Scheme does not apply to every Hong Kong company, organisation or group. The sponsoring organisation acting as the inviter/guarantor must be recognised by the relevant government bureau or department, and the scope of the facilitation may differ by sector.
3. Read the invitation letter item by item
The invitation letter should not use only broad wording such as “participate in an event”. HR should record:
• the activity name and dates;
• the activity location;
• the visitor’s actual role;
• the work or activity content in which the visitor will participate;
• whether the arrangement involves a speech, demonstration, performance, technical support or another service; and
• any remuneration, expense reimbursement or other payment arrangement.
4. Compare the actual activity against the documents
Before and during the activity, confirm that the actual arrangements do not go beyond the invitation letter and recognised scope. For example, if the visitor was originally invited as a speaker for a designated activity but is later asked to take up a general day-to-day role inside the company, the employer should not assume that the original arrangement still covers the new role.
5. Verify immigration status and permitted stay
Confirm whether the visitor is eligible for visa-free entry or must obtain a visit visa/entry permit before travelling. Also check the visitor’s actual permitted period of stay. An invitation letter does not replace immigration approval and cannot automatically extend the visitor’s permitted stay.
6. Keep relevant records
The business should retain activity-related documents, such as:
• information about the recognised sponsoring organisation;
• the invitation letter and activity agenda;
• the visitor’s role and activity content;
• entry and permitted-stay information;
• payment, expense reimbursement and invoice records; and
• records of changes to the activity and internal verification.
How should remuneration, fees and expense reimbursement be assessed?
An employer should not simply state that “all payments are acceptable” or that “no payments are acceptable”. The payment arrangement should be assessed against the actual activity, the visitor’s role, the designated activity involved and the applicable immigration conditions.
For example, the following concepts should not be treated as interchangeable:
• wages for ordinary employment;
• a fee for giving a speech or performing at an event;
• accommodation, transport or meals; and
• reimbursement of actual expenses.
The Immigration Department’s visitor-activity information also indicates that certain speeches or presentations may be subject to specific conditions regarding remuneration. If the activity is covered by the Short-Term Visitor Scheme, the applicable arrangement may differ. Employers should assess the payment arrangement together with the activity and supporting documents rather than relying only on the label used for the payment.
What are the consequences of breaching visitor conditions of stay?
Under Section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), a person who breaches a condition of stay imposed on that person commits an offence. The Immigration Department’s official information states that, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for two years.
This is the maximum penalty set out in the legislation. It does not mean that every case involving visitor activities will receive the same treatment. Whether a breach has occurred and what legal consequences apply must be assessed against the actual facts, including the activity, role, documents, payment arrangements and other relevant circumstances.
For employers, the safer approach is to compare what the documents say with what the visitor will actually be asked to do before inviting the person to Hong Kong. If the two do not match, the business should seek appropriate compliance or professional advice before the activity begins.
Frequently asked questions about the Short-Term Visitor Scheme
Does the Short-Term Visitor Scheme apply to every Hong Kong company?
No. The sponsoring organisation must be recognised by the relevant government bureau or department, and the activity must fall within a designated sector and designated activity scope. Employers should check the Immigration Department’s latest information on recognised sponsoring organisations and facilitation arrangements.
If a visitor is permitted to stay for 90 days, can the visitor participate in a designated activity for 90 days?
No. Under the Short-Term Visitor Scheme, a designated short-term activity is generally limited to not more than 14 consecutive calendar days and remains subject to the visitor’s actual permitted period of stay. A 90-day permitted stay does not mean that the visitor has 90 days of permission to participate in the designated activity.
Is an invitation letter the same as a visa?
No. An invitation letter is not a visa/entry permit issued by the Immigration Department for entry into Hong Kong. It does not guarantee that an application for a visit visa/entry permit will be approved or that the visitor will definitely be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
If the work lasts only a few days, can it automatically be arranged under visitor status?
No. A short duration does not automatically mean that the activity falls within the Short-Term Visitor Scheme. The employer must still check the designated sector, sponsoring organisation, visitor role, actual activity content, payment arrangement and applicable immigration conditions.
Conclusion: the key question is not “how many days?” but whether the activity fits the scheme
The Short-Term Visitor Scheme provides immigration facilitation for short-term activities in designated sectors. For businesses that need to invite overseas professionals, speakers or event participants to Hong Kong, it may reduce some administrative barriers. However, an employer should not rely only on the fact that the activity is short or that the visitor will stay in Hong Kong for only a few days.
Before making arrangements, confirm at least these three points:
• whether the activity is in a designated sector and is a designated short-term activity;
• whether the sponsoring organisation, invitation letter and visitor role meet the applicable requirements; and
• whether the actual activity, payment arrangement and permitted stay match the documents and immigration conditions.
If a business regularly arranges for overseas professionals, speakers or event participants to come to Hong Kong, it should incorporate these verification steps into its HR, administration and event-management processes and keep clear records for each activity.
Get More HR consultancy support
Get More can help businesses organise short-term personnel arrangements, invitation and activity documents, role boundaries, and responsibility allocation between HR, event organisers and management. Depending on the business’s needs, we can also review existing HR processes and document-retention practices to reduce the risk of inconsistencies between the invitation and the actual activity.
For HR consultancy support:
• 📞 Phone: (852) 2333 1090
• 📧 Email: HR@getmore.com.hk
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Further reading
Disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, please consult a qualified HR consultant or legal professional.
