Pathways overview

Moving to Hong Kong: five mainstream pathways

A full reading of the five mainstream visa routes published by the Hong Kong Immigration Department: the rules, grant data, application requirements and residency thresholds side by side. Every policy source is linked to the original on immd.gov.hk.

Employment visa · Top Talent

Top Talent Pass Scheme (Categories A, B and C)

You need not have secured a job in Hong Kong when you apply. Category A (annual income of HK$2.5 million or more in the year before applying) is normally granted an initial stay of 36 months. Category B (a degree from an eligible university plus at least three years of work experience in the five years before applying) and Category C (a degree obtained in the five years before applying, with less than three years of work experience, subject to an annual quota) are granted 24 months. An extension requires proof of employment with a stable income, or of a business set up or joined in Hong Kong.

More than 80,000 approvals in 2024

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QMAS · points-based route

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

Applicants must first meet the prerequisites, then choose to be assessed under the General Points Test (12 assessment criteria; the prevailing passing threshold is 6 of them) or the Achievement-based Points Test (two assessment criteria). You are not required to have secured an offer of local employment before applying or being admitted to Hong Kong for settlement.

Prevailing threshold: 6 of the 12 criteria (the Immigration Department's published rules prevail)

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Study to work · IANG

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Non-local students who obtained a bachelor's degree or higher through a full-time, locally accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply within six months of graduating without having found a job, and may stay 24 months on time limitation only. The arrangement is quota-free and not sector-specific. Greater Bay Area campus graduates may also apply.

More than 20,000 approvals in 2024

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Investment route · NCE

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (NCE)

Launched on 1 March 2024. Applicants first show InvestHK net assets of not less than HK$30 million (or equivalent) and invest not less than HK$30 million (or equivalent) net in permissible investment assets; the detailed rules are in the Rules of the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. You do not have to work or start a business in Hong Kong.

More than 1,000 applications received in the first year after relaunch

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Family · Dependant

Dependant Visa

While the main applicant holds a Top Talent Pass, QMAS, IANG or NCE visa, a spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 can apply for a dependant visa to come to Hong Kong. All dependants may study without prior approval, dependants of persons admitted to work may take up employment, and years of residence count towards the seven years of ordinary residence for permanent residency.

More than 30,000 approvals in 2024

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Residency threshold · HKPR

Permanent Residency After Seven Years of Ordinary Residence

Section 2A of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115): at least seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong qualify you to apply for a permanent identity card. Three issues are at the heart of most disputes: days spent outside Hong Kong, the meaning of ordinary residence, and how switching visa types affects the continuity of the count.

About 35,000 people granted permanent residency in 2024

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