[David Smith]

I have been working in HK for just over a year and am about to change job to a new company.

The new company is quite large in the UK, but has no presence in HK. So they will set up a limited HK company to act as my sponsor. We have been advised that the chances of securing a visa are good because it is a high level role, in a very specialized field. However, I am concerned about the visa going forward.

It will be a one man office and the UK company has told me they will not want to hire any other staff for at least 3 years. Assuming the visa is granted, will it be possible to renew it on an ongoing basis, even without employing local staff?

[KnowItAll]

As long as you're legit and commerce is being done, there is no major requiremnt as such to hire locals.

I'd drop the guys at investhk and perhaps your company secretary in HK a line to see what would be the best way to apply for a visa.

[Boris]

As long as your visa application letter makes a statement that it is the companies intention to recruit local staff over time there will me no problem.
To state as you have here its a one man band is not good politically. You show intent without a time line.

I see no problem with the application as its quite a common event. HK TDC will be happy to support you as its another overseas company to register on their statistics and they would be happy to support any application if you asked.