Hong Kong – Spouses of professional staff to be allowed to work freely again
24 February 2006The HK government has announced that it will reintroduce regulations allowing spouses of professional staff to work without prior permission of the immigration department. It made the announcment in a Press Release also announcing the new Quality Migrant Admission Scheme on 23 February 2006. Prior to 2003, spouses were allowed to work freely. From July 2003, spouses needed prior permission from the Director of Immigration. With the improving economic conditions and employment situation, it has been decided to remove this restriction to enhance Hong Kong’s edge in attracting professionals. In other words, dependants of persons admitted for professional employment or as capital investment entrants will not be required to obtain prior permission from the Director of Immigration for taking up employment, just as the situation was before July, 2003. The details of the revised conditions for dependents, including the effective date, will be announced separately.
