Hong Kong Expands Short-Term Visa-Free STV Scheme

Hong Kong’s STV Scheme now spans 17 business and professional sectors—covering fields from aviation and finance to environment and maritime—allowing international experts to attend or contribute to events for up to 14 days without needing a full employment visa.

Overview of the Update

The Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short‑term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme) in Hong Kong SAR has been expanded, effective 1 November 2025, to widen the sectors eligible for short-term professional visits. The scheme previously covered 12 sectors; now it includes five additional categories, increasing the total to 17 sectors. 

This expansion also sees the number of authorised host organisations rise to around 490 (from circa 400). These entities can issue invitation letters to eligible foreign professionals, enabling their participation in short-term activities without the need for employment visas or entry permits. 

What It Means for B2B Travel, Aviation & Corporate Planners

For travel agencies, aviation consolidators and corporate-travel planners (like your audience at Agent Bazar), this update brings several practical implications:

• Simplified entry for global talent: Under the STV Scheme, invited professionals may visit for up to 14 consecutive calendar days of specified activity, without applying for an employment visa.

• Broader sector relevance: With sectors such as Environment, Occupational Safety & Health, Maritime and Think Tanks now covered, your network of corporate-clients (e.g., maritime insurers, green-finance firms, conference/mega-event organisers) have more flexibility.

• Event & project-based mobility: The updated framework supports short-term engagements—industry meetings, keynote presentations, site-visits, panel discussions—making it highly relevant for business travel and aviation sector tie-ups.

• Competitive advantage for Hong Kong as a hub: By lowering entry barriers for specialists, Hong Kong positions itself as a “super-connector” for Asia-Pacific events, innovation and aviation-industry gatherings.

• Key things to keep in mind for compliance: The visitor must be invited by an authorised host organisation; the activity must align with the scheme’s policy objectives and must not displace local workers. The visitor still enters under visitor/short-term status and must adhere to normal immigration screening.
  
  

Sectors Covered under the Expanded STV Scheme

Here is the full list of all 17 sectors that now qualify under the scheme:

1. -Medical & Healthcare

2. -Higher Education

3. -Arts & Culture

4. -Sports

5. -Heritage

6. -Creative Industries

7. -Innovation & Technology

8. -The Hong Kong Laureate Forum

9. -Aviation

10. -International/Mega Events

11. -Finance

12. -Development & Construction

13. -Environment (new)

14. -Occupational Safety & Health (new)

15. -Maritime (new)

16. -Think Tanks (new)

17. -Others – for activities hosted/co-hosted by government bureaus/departments (new)
    
    

Why This Matters Now

• Timely for event season: With major trade shows, conferences and aviation-industry gatherings resuming high tempo, the shorter-lead entry path into Hong Kong is a strategic advantage.

• Broader professional mobility: Whether it’s a shipping firm dispatching a marine claims adjuster, a tech company flying in a specialist speaker, or an aviation OEM sending a project lead—this opens fresh options.

• Agency role amplified: For travel agents and consolidators servicing corporate clients, understanding this scheme means you can proactively advise on logistics, compliance and opportunity—enhancing your value proposition.

• Risk mitigation: Although simpler than full employment visas, this scheme still carries conditions (invitation letter, authorised host, short-term only). Being aware of these prevents missteps and potential client issues.
  
  

Actionable Tips for Agents & Corporate Planners

• Maintain an updated list of authorised host organisations in Hong Kong who are approved under the STV Scheme (these lists may change).

• For your corporate clients: ensure the invitation letter clearly states the sector, activity, duration and that the visit aligns with the STV criteria.

• Advise clients that although the STV route avoids full employment-visa filings, the traveller still enters under visitor status and must meet normal immigration conditions.

• Keep track of the 14-day maximum per visit rule and that the visit must be for specified short-term activity (not a full project assignment).

• Promote this update in your B2B content: for instance, to aviation and shipping clients, to event-management firms planning in Asia, to outsourcing firms of seminars and workshops.
  
  

Conclusion

For B2B travel agents, consolidators and corporate-travel professionals, the expanded STV Scheme in Hong Kong represents a valuable mobility tool. With coverage now extended to 17 sectors and an increased number of authorised hosts, there’s enhanced flexibility to support short-term visits of global experts in aviation, maritime, environment, and more. In an era where fast, flexible business travel is critical, understanding and leveraging this pathway can differentiate your service to clients and open new avenues for cross-border engagements.

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