Hong Kong Expands Arbitration Visa Scheme
The Immigration Facilitation Scheme now covers more arbitral proceedings, including hybrid hearings and cases administered from the Chinese Mainland, Macao, Taiwan or overseas.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Remote Work
Hong Kong has expanded its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings, effective immediately. The scheme, first introduced on March 1, 2025, lets eligible individuals take part in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors without an employment visa or entry permit.
Why it matters
The expansion is intended to make participation in arbitration more convenient for eligible individuals and to encourage parties to choose Hong Kong as an arbitration venue. It extends the scheme beyond physical hearings to hybrid proceedings and to cases administered elsewhere in mainland China, Macao, Taiwan and overseas.
The scheme covers five categories of eligible persons and was first introduced on March 1, 2025, with the expansion applying immediately as of November 3, 2026. The source does not report participation volumes or the number of institutions designated to issue letters of proof.
The players
Department of Justice of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government department that circulated the updated Guidance Note setting out the operational details of the scheme's expansion to designated institutions.
The details
Under the scheme, designated Hong Kong arbitral or dispute resolution institutions verify participants' identities and issue a letter of proof for newly covered cases, and they provide venues, hearing or meeting facilities and ancillary services. The Department of Justice has circulated an updated Guidance Note to designated institutions setting out the operational details.
Timeline
March 1, 2025: The Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings was introduced.
November 3, 2026: The scheme's expansion took immediate effect.
Market Landscape
The expansion builds directly on the Immigration Facilitation Scheme launched on March 1, 2025, widening its scope to hybrid hearings and to cases administered in the Chinese Mainland, Macao, Taiwan and overseas. It positions Hong Kong to compete more directly for arbitration business by easing entry requirements for participants.
Eligible individuals can participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors without an employment visa or entry permit, provided they hold a letter of proof from a designated institution. Parties involved in cases administered from the Chinese Mainland, Macao, Taiwan or overseas may find it easier to hold hybrid or physical hearings in Hong Kong.
The takeaway
Anyone considering Hong Kong as an arbitration venue should check with a designated Hong Kong arbitral or dispute resolution institution to confirm eligibility and obtain a letter of proof before travel.
Further reading
For broader context on how cross-border professionals work across jurisdictions, see Remote Work.
