Basic Renewal Requirements
Renewal applications under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) are generally required to be submitted within four weeks before the current limit of stay expires. The applicant and any dependants (if any) must be physically present in Hong Kong when submitting the application and collecting the visa.
Eligible applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
- At the time of application, the applicant has been permitted to stay in Hong Kong under the TTPS for not less than two years;
- The applicant’s assessable income for salaries tax in the preceding year of assessment reached HK$2 million or above. In this case, the applicant will normally be granted an extension of stay of six years.
Applicants who meet the above top-tier talent category requirements must provide supporting documents at the time of application, including proof that the assessable income for salaries tax in the preceding year of assessment reached HK$2 million or above, such as a salaries tax assessment notice issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Employment Requirements for Employees
Applicants applying for renewal on the basis of employment must provide a reference letter issued by their current employing company, stating the applicant’s position, monthly salary and other benefits.
All applicants must provide proof of working in Hong Kong. For employees, the following are generally required:
- An employment contract stating the position, monthly salary, other benefits and the employment period;
- A company reference letter setting out the latest payroll records, which must be printed on company letterhead, signed by an authorised person and affixed with the company chop.
Persons employed under an internal transfer arrangement by a non-Hong Kong company — that is, holding a TTPS visa to enter Hong Kong and working full-time in Hong Kong, but whose employment relationship, payroll and secondment arrangements originate from a non-local company — may also meet the employment requirements for renewal.
Residential Proof
Applicants must provide proof of residence in Hong Kong, such as a tenancy agreement, rates demand note or address proof in the applicant’s name.
Practical Strategies to Avoid a Lapsed Visa
Documents submitted for renewal must be accurate and complete. All submitted documents must be originals or clear copies. If a document is not in Chinese or English, a certified English or Chinese translation must be attached. The Immigration Department reserves the right to request the applicant to submit additional supporting documents.
To ensure a smooth renewal, applicants should check the required document checklist in advance and allow sufficient time to submit the application before the current limit of stay expires.