Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, continues to attract global talent through various talent admission schemes. For professionals and graduates who wish to develop their careers in Hong Kong, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) are the two most mainstream routes. Neither requires the applicant to have already secured employment with a Hong Kong employer at the time of application, offering considerable flexibility for talent.
The following breaks down the core eligibility requirements and processes of these two schemes to help you determine which route better matches your own background.
TTPS: Designed for High-Earners and Top University Graduates
The TTPS aims to attract high-earners and graduates of the world’s top universities to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. An applicant only needs to meet one of the following categories of criteria to submit an application:
Category A application (high-earners) In the year immediately preceding the application, the applicant’s annual income reached HK$2.5 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency). “Annual income” here refers to taxable employment or business income, including salary, allowances, share options, and profits derived from companies they own. Income generated from personal investments is not counted.
Category B application (top university graduates with work experience) Holder of a bachelor’s degree awarded by an “eligible university”, with at least three years of accumulated work experience within the five years immediately preceding the application. The list of eligible universities is drawn up by the Labour and Welfare Bureau based on specified world university rankings (such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, etc.) and is updated periodically by the Immigration Department; applicants must consult the latest version before applying.
Category C application (top university graduates with limited work experience) Holder of a bachelor’s degree awarded by an “eligible university” within the five years immediately preceding the application, but with less than three years of work experience. This category is subject to an annual quota, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Note in particular that the Category C application does not apply to non-local students who obtained a bachelor’s degree by undertaking full-time, locally accredited programmes in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Initial stay period Upon approval, Category A applicants are generally granted a stay period of 36 months, while Category B and C applicants are granted 24 months. Applicants may freely take up or change employment in Hong Kong without prior approval from the Immigration Department.
IANG: A Stay-in-Hong Kong Route for Graduates in Hong Kong
IANG stands for “Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates”, designed specifically for non-local graduates who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification by undertaking full-time, locally accredited programmes in Hong Kong.
Eligibility Non-local graduates refer to persons who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification by undertaking full-time, locally accredited programmes in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. After graduation, they may apply to stay or return to work in Hong Kong under this arrangement.
Initial stay period Successful applicants are generally granted a stay period of 24 months, during which they may freely take up employment or change jobs in Hong Kong.
Common Features of the Application Process
The application procedures for both schemes have been digitised, and applicants may submit their applications through the official website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department without needing to visit the department in person. The basic process is as follows:
- Prepare supporting documents: Based on the scheme and application category you belong to, prepare the required documents. These typically include a valid travel document, proof of academic qualifications (such as a bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcripts), proof of work experience (such as an employer reference letter), and proof of financial capacity, among others. TTPS Category A applicants must additionally provide proof-of-income documents, such as a salaries tax assessment notice issued by the local tax authority and audited financial reports. Mainland residents applying for the TTPS must also submit a consent letter for working in Hong Kong issued by their current employer or the relevant Mainland authority.
- Submit the application online: Log on to the Immigration Department website, complete the relevant application form and upload electronic versions of all supporting documents.
- Await processing: After the Immigration Department has received all required documents, it will generally begin processing the application. Processing time varies depending on the individual circumstances of each application and the volume of applications at the time.
- Collect the visa / entry permit: Upon approval, the applicant will receive an electronic visa. The applicant must print this electronic visa and complete the required procedures (such as the “Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao” and the relevant endorsement for entering Hong Kong) with the relevant authority in their place of residence (such as the exit-entry administration department of the Mainland public security authority).
How to Choose the Right Scheme for You
The choice of scheme hinges on your academic background and career history.
- If you hold a bachelor’s degree from an “eligible university”: you may give priority consideration to the TTPS. If you have three years or more of work experience, you may apply under Category B; if you have less than three years of experience, you may consider applying under Category C, which is subject to an annual quota.
- If you are currently or have previously studied a full-time bachelor’s degree or higher programme in Hong Kong: IANG is your direct route, not restricted by the “eligible university” list.
- If you are a high-earner but your academic qualifications may not meet specific university requirements: TTPS Category A is the option designed for you.
Both schemes have renewal mechanisms. Applicants who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously for seven years are generally eligible to apply for Hong Kong permanent resident status in accordance with the law. When planning, it is advisable to refer directly to the latest eligibility criteria, eligible university lists and application guidance published on the Immigration Department’s official website, and to treat official information as the final authority.
This article is merely an overview of routes and does not constitute any immigration or visa legal advice. The final approval outcome of all applications is determined by the Hong Kong Immigration Department on a case-by-case basis.