According to the latest data released by the Immigration Department in April 2026, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) has cumulatively received over 120,000 applications since its launch, with the number of approved applications surpassing 98,000, while the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) saw application volume grow by 47% year-on-year after the quota restriction was removed in 2025. Behind these two figures lies the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s continued intensification of its “talent grab” strategy. In 2026, the Government further optimised several talent admission schemes. This article will break down the latest policy highlights to help Mainland talents plan their path to Hong Kong with precision.
Latest Changes to the Top Talent Pass Scheme in 2026
The Top Talent Pass Scheme remains the talent admission channel with the highest approval rate and fastest processing at present. The core adjustments to the scheme in 2026 focus on two aspects: expansion of the list of eligible universities and extension of the initial stay period for Category A applications.
Category A applications are for persons whose annual income in the year immediately preceding the application reached HK$2.5 million or above. From January 2026, the initial stay period for approved Category A applicants was extended from the original 24 months to 36 months, giving top talents more ample time to settle and develop in Hong Kong. In terms of proof of income, the Immigration Department explicitly accepts salaries, allowances, stock option gains and company profit distributions, but personal investment income such as property rental and fund trading is not counted for the time being.
Category B applications require the applicant to hold a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university and to have accumulated at least three years of work experience within the five years immediately preceding the application. In 2026, the list of eligible universities added 5 Mainland higher education institutions, bringing the total to 28, including traditional powerhouses such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as the newly added University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tongji University. The full list can be consulted on the Immigration Department’s official website; Mainland institutions ranked within the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings are largely covered.
Category C applications are for persons who were awarded a bachelor’s degree by an eligible university within the five years immediately preceding the application but have less than three years of work experience. This category has a quota of 10,000 places per year, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows that the utilisation rate of Category C places has reached 38%, and eligible fresh graduates are advised to submit their applications as early as possible.
Key tip: Categories B and C of the TTPS only accept a full-time bachelor’s degree; a master’s or doctoral degree does not meet the eligibility requirement unless the applicant also holds a full-time bachelor’s degree from an eligible university.
Comprehensive Reform of the QMAS General Points Test
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme removed the annual quota cap of 4,000 persons in 2025, and in 2026 it continues to maintain the “no quota” policy, but the scoring system of the General Points Test (GPT) has undergone structural changes.
Under the old system, the General Points Test had a maximum of 225 points, with a minimum pass mark of 80 points. In 2026, the new system expanded the scoring dimensions from five to seven, adjusted the maximum score to 300 points, and raised the minimum application threshold to 120 points. The newly added scoring dimensions include:
- Innovation and technology background: Applicants holding degrees or work experience in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science and biotechnology can receive up to 35 additional points
- Greater Bay Area work experience: Having more than two years of full-time work experience in the nine municipalities of the Pearl River Delta earns 20 additional points
- ESG professional qualifications: Holding internationally recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) certifications adds 15 points
The Achievement-based Points Test (APT) remains unchanged, and applies to persons who have received outstanding achievement awards (such as Olympic medals or Nobel Prizes) or have made significant contributions to the development of an industry. Those who qualify can be awarded the full score directly without participating in the general points assessment.
In terms of age, applicants aged 18 to 39 can still obtain the highest score, but the bonus for the 40 to 44 age band was increased from the original 20 points to 25 points, reflecting the Government’s heightened emphasis on seasoned talents. Under the language proficiency component, applicants with proficiency in both written and spoken Chinese and English can obtain a maximum of 40 points, an increase of 10 points over the old system.
In terms of processing time, the QMAS takes an average of about 6 to 9 months to process, considerably longer than the 4 to 8 weeks for the TTPS. However, once approved under the QMAS, applicants receive an unconditional stay visa, without needing to secure a Hong Kong employer first, offering greater flexibility.
Dependant Visa Policy and Family Relocation Planning
Talent admission is not only an individual decision but often involves the relocation planning of the entire family. In 2026, the dependant visa policy remained stable, but there are several details worth noting.
Persons coming to Hong Kong under the TTPS or QMAS may apply for dependant visas for their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18. The stay period of dependants normally aligns with that of the sponsor; during their stay in Hong Kong they may freely attend local schools, and the spouse may work in Hong Kong without restriction.
Children’s education is the core consideration for most families. Children holding dependant visas may enrol in various primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, including government schools, aided schools, direct subsidy scheme schools and international schools. According to data from the Hong Kong Education Bureau in 2026, there are currently around 40,000-plus primary and secondary school places across Hong Kong available for newly arrived children to join mid-year, but competition for places in popular school districts remains fierce; it is advisable to begin school selection planning 6 to 12 months in advance.
Renting and proof of residential address is another practical difficulty. When processing dependant applications, the Immigration Department requires the sponsor to provide proof of residential address in Hong Kong. Many Mainland talents face the risk of information asymmetry when renting remotely through online platforms before arriving in Hong Kong. It is recommended to prioritise large property agencies that offer virtual viewing and electronic signing services, or to consider staying in a serviced apartment for transition first, and signing a long-term tenancy after an on-site inspection.
Key Points on Visa Extension and Transition to Permanent Residency
Obtaining a talent visa is only the first step; visa extension and transition to permanent residency are the keys to long-term planning. The visa extension conditions differ significantly across schemes, so applicants need to plan ahead based on their own circumstances.
TTPS visa extension requires that the applicant must already be employed by a Hong Kong company at the time of submitting the extension application, and that the salary and benefits package meets the market level. In 2026, the Immigration Department provided clearer reference standards for “market level”: a monthly salary of not less than HK$35,000, or holding an employment contract with a Hong Kong employer with an annual salary reaching HK$420,000 or above. If the applicant has already set up a business in Hong Kong, they must prove that the business is genuinely operating in Hong Kong, has actual turnover and employs local staff.
QMAS visa extension is relatively lenient; the applicant only needs to prove that they have taken steps towards “ordinary residence in Hong Kong”, such as having a fixed residence in Hong Kong, children studying in Hong Kong, and a stable source of income. From 2026, the QMAS extension model was adjusted from “2+3+3” to “3+3+2”; the first approval grants a 3-year stay period, giving talents a longer adaptation period.
Applying for Hong Kong permanent resident status requires continuous ordinary residence for a full 7 years. The “continuous” here does not require the applicant to be physically present in Hong Kong every day, but each absence from Hong Kong should not exceed 6 months, and the applicant must retain complete records of life, work and social activities in Hong Kong, including tax bills, bank statements, tenancy agreements, and utility bills. The Immigration Department will comprehensively assess whether the applicant treats Hong Kong as their “sole permanent place of residence”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: For a TTPS Category B application, is a part-time bachelor’s degree recognised? A: No. Categories B and C of the TTPS only accept a full-time bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees obtained through part-time study, distance learning or correspondence courses do not meet the eligibility requirement. If you hold a part-time bachelor’s degree but have extensive work experience, you may consider the QMAS or other talent admission routes.
Q: Under the new QMAS system, does reaching 120 points guarantee approval? A: Reaching 120 points only means meeting the threshold for submitting an application; it does not guarantee approval. The Immigration Department will comprehensively assess the applicant’s academic background, industry demand, and quality of supporting documents, among other factors. It is advisable to highlight your differentiating strengths when applying, especially experience related to Hong Kong’s key economic development areas (such as fintech, life and health, and new energy).
Q: How long is the processing period for a dependant visa? A: A dependant visa is usually submitted together with the sponsor’s application, with a processing time of about 4 to 6 weeks. If the sponsor has already been approved to come to Hong Kong and then applies for the dependant afterwards, the processing time may be shortened to 2 to 3 weeks. It is recommended to submit the dependant application as soon as possible after the sponsor’s visa is approved, to avoid prolonging the process due to supplementary document requests.
Q: If working in Hong Kong on a TTPS visa, can one freely change employers? A: Yes. Holders of a TTPS visa may change jobs freely without prior approval from the Immigration Department. However, when applying for an extension, they must provide the new employer’s proof of employment and salary data to satisfy the extension requirements.
References
- Hong Kong Immigration Department – Overview of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (May 2026 updated edition)
- Hong Kong Immigration Department – Quality Migrant Admission Scheme General Points Test Score Sheet (2026 revision)
- Hong Kong SAR Government Press Release – “Nine New Professional Fields Added to the 2026 Talent List” (March 2026)
- Hong Kong Education Bureau – Statistical Report on Primary and Secondary School Place Vacancies Across Hong Kong for the 2025/26 School Year
- Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department – “2025 Annual Report on Wage and Hour Statistics” (released February 2026)