In a radical shift, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (HKID) announced last week that the spouses and dependents of professional workers or capital-investment entrants admitted into Hong Kong will no longer need prior permission before taking up employment from May 15 2006.

The department said the policy would help "enhance Hong Kong's edge in attracting professionals and investors" as their dependents' visas or entry permits granted on or after May 15 2006 will not be subject to employment restrictions.

In the past three years, which is how long the prohibition on spouses working without their own work visa has been in force for, the economy of Hong Kong has suffered since there have been expatriate assignments declined due to the inability for the spouse to work as a derivative visa holder. Prior to 2003, spouses and dependents of visa-holders were able to work without having to obtain their own work visa. This movement back to permitting the spouses and dependents work authorization is a victory for trailing spouses the world over.

Those spouses who are currently restricted from working may apply to the department to remove the restriction for free, and the HKID has promised to process these changes in one day. Alternatively, the spouse can wait to have their restriction canceled when they apply for, and are granted, extension of stay upon the expiry of their current stay period.

There is no change to the arrangements for the dependents of people admitted into Hong Kong for study. They are not allowed to work unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration.

Pro-Link Global urges their clients who are in Hong Kong and who have spouses who wish to work, to contact us immediately so that we can facilitate this for you.