The Hong Kong Government is actively recruiting talents from outside Hong Kong and has recently launched the ‘Top Talent Pass Scheme’ (TTPS) to attract people with rich working experience and high academic qualifications. In addition, there are various professional visas for you to immigrate to Hong Kong with your family. The visa application time is as swift as 1 month, and then you can immigrate to Hong Kong and apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residence after 7 years of residence.
Meanwhile, in the 2023-2024 Budget, it is mentioned that the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) will be resumed to attract more new capital to Hong Kong, and the latest investment amount and application requirements are yet to be further announced.
Are you interested in applying for a Hong Kong visa? Call 3568 1436 / (WhatsApp) 9178 8523 for a free assessment!
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
You can get your Hong Kong ID again by investing HK$30 million in Hong Kong after an 8-year wait!
Starting from 1 March 2024, you can submit the relevant information for the Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. Regarding the choices of complying investment products, we have Hong Kong Government Bond Fund in the market, which is 100% invested in Hong Kong Government Bonds with AA+ international credit rating and a stable monthly dividend payout. Contact us now to learn more about the options.
Advantages of CIES
- Applicants are not required to work or run a business in Hong Kong as long as they 汞meet certain criteria and keep their investment in Hong Kong.
- Holders of HKSAR passport can travel to 170 countries/regions around the world and enjoy the benefits of global citizenship.
- Visa mode ‘2+3+3’, applicants regain freedom in investment after 7years of time
CIES Application Requirements
- Investment Requirements: HK$27 million for investment in financial assets; of which HK$10 million is allowed for investment in non-residential properties (commercial and industrial), and another HK$3 million is required to be invested to support Hong Kong’s Innovation, Technology and Industry sector and other key industries. For the latest investment quota in residential properties, the transaction value of the property must be HK$50 million or above, and the maximum amount of investment in real estate to be counted towards the total is HK$10 million.
- Applicants must have net assets of no less than HK$30 million two years prior to the date of application.
- Applicants must be foreign nationals, or Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent residence status in a foreign country.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Applicants need to submit a certificate of no criminal record
Hong Kong Talent Scheme (No employer required)
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
The first-of-its-kind ‘Top Talent Pass Scheme’ (TTPS) is divided into three categories of applications, with no quota for Category A and B applications and an annual cap of 10,000 for Category C applications. Applicants will first be granted a 2-year visa. When applying for renewal after the expiry of the visa, applicants are required to prove that they have stable employment in Hong Kong and are residing in Hong Kong, and they will be granted a 3-year visa upon successful renewal. According to the latest policy in October 2024, first-time Category A visa holders will be granted a 3-year visa.
Advantages of the TTPS
- Fast processing time
- High approval rate
TTPS Application Requirements
- Category A applicants: Annual income of HK$2.5 million or above.
- Category B applicants: Bachelor’s degree holders from eligible universities with at least 3 years of working experience accumulated within 5 years prior to application.
- Category C applicants: Bachelor’s degree holders from eligible universities with less than 3 years of working experience within 5 years prior to application (*subject to annual quota).
TTPS Application Period
About 1 month
TTPS Process
Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing of Contract ➤ Preparation for application documents ➤ Submission of application
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
The ‘Quality Migrant Admission Scheme’ (QMAS) has two points-based test, mainly the General Points Test (GPT) for highly skilled persons and the Achievement-based Points Test (APT) for persons with outstanding achievements, such as those who have won international awards. The annual quota had been cancelled from 1 January 2023 for a period of two years.
Advantages of QMAS
- No employer nomination required
QMAS Application Requirements
- General Points Scoring System (GPS): Out of the 12 assessment criteria, you must meet at least 6, which cover 6 key areas including: age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income, and business ownership.
- Achievement Scoring System (ASPS): International awards and proven recognition by peers / significant contribution to the development of the sector.
QMAS Application Period
Approx. 3-12 months
QMAS Process
Free consultation and assessment ➤ Signing of contract ➤ Collation of application documents ➤ Submission of Talent Scheme application
Hong Kong Talent Scheme (Employer Required)
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) is a business visa exclusively for Mainland residents and is not restricted to any industry. Applicants are required to be employed by a Hong Kong company which can demonstrate that their academic qualifications or working experience are not readily available in the local market and that their remuneration is up to the market level.
Advantages of ASMTP
- No restrictions on industries
- No rating system, and thus no need to strive for high scores
- Earn an income from work
ASMTP Application Requirements
- Must be employed by a Hong Kong company
- Good educational background and professional qualifications
ASMTP Application time
About 1 month
ASMTP Process
Obtain employment from a Hong Kong company ➤ Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing of contract ➤ Submission of application ➤ Landing and working in Hong Kong
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) enables eligible companies to recruit overseas and mainland talents in the technology sector, upon the granting of quota (valid for two years) by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). With the nomination from the employer and a salary not lower than the market rate for the same position, the applicant is eligible to come to work in Hong Kong with a work visa under the Scheme.
Advantages of TechTAS
- No rating system, and thus no need to strive for high scores
- Earn an income from work
TechTAS Application Requirements
- Must be employed by an eligible company
- Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) (Bachelor’s degree holders must have at least 1 year of relevant working experience; Master’s or PhD degree holders need not have working experience).
TechTAS Application Period
Approximately 1 month
TechTAS Process
Obtain employment from a Hong Kong company ➤ Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing of contract ➤ Submission of application ➤ Landing in Hong Kong for work
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
Non-local students who have completed a recognised full-time programme in Hong Kong for a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification are eligible to apply for the latest two-year employment visa. Fresh graduates (within 6 months from the date of their graduation certificates) are not required to obtain an employer’s guarantee.
Advantages of IANG
- Newly covered non-local graduates from the University of Hong Kong’s campuses in the Greater Bay Area.
- No employer sponsorship required for fresh non-local graduates
IANG Application Requirements
- Non-local students pursuing full-time locally-accredited programmes at degree level or above.
- Non-fresh graduates need to prove that they are employed by a Hong Kong company.
IANG Application Period
Approx. 1 month
IANG Process
Obtain a locally recognised degree or above qualification ➤ Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing of contract ➤ Submission of application ➤ Landing in Hong Kong for work
Employment Visa
Currently, there are four main types of employment visas in Hong Kong, including work visas, visas for entrepreneurs to invest in Hong Kong, dependant visas and training visas.
The eligibility criteria for each type of visa are different:
Work Visa: A foreigner working for a Hong Kong registered company is required to apply for a Work Visa. The applicant must have a good educational background and an extensive working experience relevant to the position, while having been offered a job position, which cannot be easily replaced by a local employee.
Entrepreneur Entrant Visa: Those who intend to set up or participate in business in Hong Kong may apply for an Entrepreneur Entrant Visa. The applicant must be the owner of the enterprise and will manage the business in Hong Kong. The applicant must register the business in Hong Kong and submit a 2-year business plan that shows a sustainable contribution to the Hong Kong economy.
Dependent Visa (also known as Spouse Visa): If the sponsor is a Hong Kong permanent resident or a resident who is not subject to a limit of stay, or a person who has been admitted to Hong Kong for work or study, or a person who has entered Hong Kong as a capital investor (i.e. as a Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant), he/she is allowed to reside in Hong Kong together with his/her spouse and his/her unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. The spouse who has been granted a Dependent Visa may also work during his/her stay in Hong Kong.
Training Visa: This visa is for applicants who will be trained in Hong Kong by a company which is of a considerable size and capable of providing the proposed training. The sponsoring company has to sign a contract with the applicant and also teach the applicant specific skills and knowledge that cannot be learnt in the applicant’s home country. The maximum duration of this visa is 12 months.
Which Hong Kong Immigrant Visa is most suitable for you?
| TTPS | QMAS | TechTAS | ASMTP | IANG | |
| Eligible applicants | – Graduates from QS100 Universities; or
– Annual salary of HK$2.5 million or more |
– Highly skilled individuals
– Talent with outstanding achievements |
– Employees from the innovation and technology industries
– with STEM degrees |
– Well educated individuals or professionals | – Graduates of Hong Kong-approved full-time Bachelor’s degree courses |
| Nomination from Employers? | No | No | Yes | Yes | No (*fresh graduates only) |
| Application time | ~1 month | 3-12 months | ~1 month | ~1 month | ~1 month |
| Duration of first-time visa | 2 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years |
Hong Kong Immigration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How do I obtain Hong Kong Permanent Residence?
Applicants who have entered Hong Kong through TTPS, QMAS and ASMTP etc. are required to apply for visa renewal at the Immigration Department one month prior to the expiry date of their first visas and are thus required to provide proof of stable employment and income. When the applicant has resided in Hong Kong for seven years, he/she is eligible to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residence.
Can I bring my relatives with me under the Visa Schemes like TTPS, QMAS, ASMTP etc?
Spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age of those who come to Hong Kong through these Talent Admission Schemes are allowed to reside in Hong Kong. The spouses are allowed to work and the children enjoy free education.
Are there any other business visas apart from TTPS, QMAS, ASMTP etc?
The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme is one of the most common business visas in Hong Kong. Generally valid for five years, the holder can stay visa-free for 2-3 months each time he/she travels to the participating regions (including Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam) if he/she has been pre-approved by the regions.
