📢 Hong Kong Extends Duration for Visiting Professionals in Regulated Activities

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued a circular granting visiting professionals—referred to as ITPs (Interim Technical Professionals)—an extended grace period to conduct regulated financial activities in the territory.

🔑 What’s New?

Extended Duration

Previously, ITPs were allowed to perform regulated activities (such as advising, dealing, or asset management) in Hong Kong for a maximum of 30 days each calendar year. This threshold has now been raised to 90 days .

🎯 Implications

Greater Flexibility for Firms

Financial institutions can now host ITPs for up to three months instead of just one, reducing the administrative burden associated with arranging multiple short visits.

Enhanced Professional Mobility

International specialists in areas like risk management, compliance, fintech, or digital assets can contribute more meaningfully on-site—supporting knowledge transfer, training, and operational oversight.

Regulatory Safeguards Remain

The extension is intended to facilitate legitimate technical support and professional development. It is not a workaround for ongoing or long-term roles, which still require full licensing and proper authorization under Hong Kong law.

---

✅ What You Should Do

Stakeholder Recommended Actions

HR & Compliance Review upcoming visits by ITPs; ensure their duration now aligns with the new 90-day limit.

Visiting Professionals Plan assignments of up to 90 days without needing to segment visits.

Regulatory Teams Note that if an ITP’s stay exceeds 90 days, they must now undergo full SFC licensing.

---

In short, this change gives firms and professionals more meaningful onsite engagement in Hong Kong while keeping regulatory oversight intact—balancing agility with compliance.

Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of related licensing requirements or further implications!