In November 2024, the Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address that the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) would be extended to graduates of higher-education cooperative campuses established by Hong Kong universities in the mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). This policy change significantly broadens the eligible population for IANG and is seen as a key move by the Hong Kong government to deepen talent integration across the Greater Bay Area.
§1 Policy Background: From Hong Kong Campuses to a Greater Bay Area Extension
Since its launch in 2008, IANG has been limited to “non-local students who have completed full-time, locally accredited programmes in Hong Kong and obtained a degree or higher qualification”. This meant that even when students were enrolled in programmes offered by Hong Kong universities, graduates could not apply for IANG as long as the programme was not delivered within Hong Kong.
The 2024 relaxation breaks this geographical restriction. According to implementation details subsequently issued by the Immigration Department, eligible Greater Bay Area campus graduates may now apply for IANG within six months of graduation, with an initial stay of 24 months, and are not required to have a job offer at the time of application.
§2 Eligible Greater Bay Area Institutions
Applicants must confirm that their institution has been included by the Hong Kong Immigration Department in the eligible list. The list is expected to be updated dynamically as more Hong Kong university Greater Bay Area campuses become operational.
§3 Document Checklist
The documents required for Greater Bay Area campus graduates to apply for IANG are essentially the same as for Hong Kong local graduates:
- A completed ID 990A application form
- One recent photograph
- A valid travel document
- Degree certificate or graduation proof awarded by a Hong Kong university
- Academic transcript issued by the Greater Bay Area campus
- A certification document issued by the Hong Kong university (confirming the degree was awarded by that Hong Kong university)
§4 Impact on Hong Kong Universities’ Recruitment Strategy
The relaxation directly boosts the recruitment appeal of Hong Kong universities’ Greater Bay Area campuses. Previously, graduates of Greater Bay Area campuses who wished to work in Hong Kong had to use more complex visa routes such as the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) or the General Employment Policy (GEP) — routes that require applicants to have secured a local employer before approval, with a markedly higher threshold than IANG.
Following the IANG relaxation, graduates of Hong Kong universities’ Greater Bay Area campuses now enjoy the same visa treatment as Hong Kong local graduates — they can apply for a 24-month visa without a job offer. This presents a strong attraction for mainland students who intend to work in Hong Kong.
§5 Potential Future Extensions
The industry widely expects that IANG’s scope may be further extended in future to more “overseas campuses of Hong Kong universities” — for example, the University of Hong Kong’s research centres or teaching sites in London, Sydney and elsewhere. For now this remains market expectation, with no official clear timetable.
This article is independent editorial research and does not constitute legal advice. For actual applications, please consult a licensed Hong Kong immigration consultant or lawyer.
Turn this guide into your next step
If you are comparing visa routes, budgets or timelines, email us a question. We point you to public policy sources such as the Immigration Department.