In a 3 April client alert, law firm Clark Hill confirmed that the Immigration Department now accepts renewal applications up to 90 days before visa expiry for six major talent pathways—including General Employment Policy, ASMTP, TechTAS, IANG, QMAS and ASSG—aligning them with the Top Talent Pass Scheme. The change, effective 1 March 2026, triples the previous 30-day window and gives employers more breathing room to gather contract renewals, tax proofs and MPF compliance records. HR directors say the shift is particularly helpful for assignees who travel heavily; overlapping renewal and travel schedules had forced many to curtail trips or courier passports back to Hong Kong. For global-mobility teams, the new timeline also dovetails with mid-year compensation reviews—allowing salary letters and renewal filings to move in tandem. Companies should still diarise immigration medical checks early; appointment slots at designated clinics remain tight. Clark Hill advises tracking dependants’ expiry dates separately: families can now file renewals together if any member falls within the 90-day window, simplifying paperwork.
Source: Clark Hill PLC
