2026 Hong Kong Two-Way Migration: Moving In and Out

Preface

As an international financial centre, Hong Kong serves both as a destination for migrants from mainland China and overseas, and as a starting point for some Hongkongers seeking to develop overseas. Hong Kong migration (two-way) refers to the integration of two opposite paths: first, non-Hong Kong residents obtaining the Right of Abode in Hong Kong through various schemes; and second, Hong Kong residents using the policies of different countries to migrate overseas. Between 2023 and 2024, Hong Kong residents who left Hong Kong via the UK BN(O) visa and the Canada Stream scheme cumulatively exceeded 200,000. These figures reflect the reality of Hong Kong as a population mobility hub. This guide focuses on the two major directions and uses data comparisons to help readers make choices suited to their own circumstances.

I. Main Routes to Relocate to Hong Kong

1.1 Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

The QMAS was launched in 2006, and the current assessment mechanism is divided into the “General Points Test (GPT)” and the “Achievement-based Points Test (APT)”. Applicants need not first secure a local employer; they may choose either mechanism for assessment. The GPT consists of 12 assessment criteria covering six areas: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership; the current eligibility threshold requires meeting 6 of them before an application can be submitted online. Applicants who meet the Talent List requirements may be given priority consideration under the GPT. The APT is for individuals with exceptional talent or outstanding achievements; meeting any one of its criteria is regarded as satisfying the eligibility requirements, and the application will be further assessed by an assessment committee. Not all applications that meet the basic eligibility and the eligibility threshold will necessarily be approved.

1.2 Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

The TTPS was launched at the end of 2022, targeting high-income individuals or high-calibre talents with advanced academic qualifications. It is divided into Category A (annual income in the year preceding application reaching HK$2.5 million or above), Category B (a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university plus at least three years of work experience within the five years preceding application) and Category C (a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university but with less than three years of work experience, subject to an annual quota and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis). Category A applicants face a higher income threshold but have no academic requirement; Categories B and C must hold a bachelor’s degree awarded by an eligible university (as listed in the Labour and Welfare Bureau’s consolidated list). Applications must be submitted online; once the Immigration Department has received all documents and the application fee, processing generally takes four weeks. Category A is granted an initial limit of stay of 36 months, while Categories B and C are granted an initial limit of stay of 24 months; each person may be granted the “initial stay arrangement” only once. Extension of stay must be applied for online within three months before the limit of stay expires, and the applicant must show they are employed in Hong Kong with a stable income, or have established or are participating in a business in Hong Kong; if approved, the stay is generally extended for no more than three years, or until the expiry of their Hong Kong employment contract (whichever is shorter). Applicants who have been in Hong Kong under the TTPS for not less than two years and whose assessable income for salaries tax in the preceding year of assessment reached HK$2 million or above may apply for an extension under the “top talent category”, and successful applicants are generally granted an extension of six years.

1.3 Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)

The ASMTP requires the applicant to have been hired by a Hong Kong company, and the position must not be one that can readily be filled by a local person. The average processing time is about four weeks. It suits professionals who already have a Hong Kong employer’s sponsorship, with no quota restriction, but the position vacancy and the applicant’s irreplaceability must be demonstrated. Upon approval, the applicant is generally first granted stay in Hong Kong as an employee for 36 months, or according to the valid period of their employment contract (whichever is shorter).

1.4 Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Non-local students who have completed full-time undergraduate or higher courses in Hong Kong may apply for an IANG visa after graduation, with an initial limit of stay of 24 months during which they may change jobs freely. This route has no quota and suits young people who wish to complete their studies in Hong Kong first and then stay on to work.

1.5 New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

The New CIES requires applicants to invest not less than HK$30 million, of which at least HK$27 million is invested in permissible financial assets and/or real estate, and a further HK$3 million is placed into the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Investment Portfolio. The scope is limited to foreign nationals, Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country, residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwanese Chinese residents; ordinary mainland residents (those who have not obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country) are not within scope. Upon approval, the applicant is generally granted a limit of stay of not more than 24 months, and extensions generally do not exceed three years; a person permitted to come to Hong Kong under the scheme may, after having been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years, apply for the Right of Abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law; those who have met the investment management requirements for a continuous period of not less than seven years but fail to meet the ordinary residence requirement may, after seven years, apply to remain in Hong Kong without restriction of stay.

1.6 Family Reunion and Other Routes

The spouse (or recognised partner) and unmarried dependent children under 18 of persons coming to Hong Kong under designated talent or employment schemes may come to Hong Kong through the dependant arrangement; a Hong Kong permanent resident or a sponsor not subject to a limit of stay may additionally bring parents aged 60 or above. Generally, the dependant arrangement does not apply to Chinese residents in mainland China, unless their sponsor is a person coming to Hong Kong under a designated scheme; reunion with family for mainland residents is mainly through the one-way permit route. The one-way permit system has a daily cap of 150, handled by the mainland authorities according to actual eligible applications and strictly in accordance with approval criteria, with a long waiting time. Other smaller, niche routes include entrepreneurs coming to Hong Kong to invest and set up companies, and working holiday schemes.

II. Main Options for Hong Kong Residents to Migrate Overseas

2.1 UK BN(O) Visa

The British National (Overseas) passport (BNO) visa scheme opened in January 2021 and applies to BNO passport holders and their family members (spouse, children, parents). Applicants need to live in the UK for five years before they can apply for permanent residency (ILR), and a further year to apply for naturalisation. In 2024, about 32,000 principal applications were approved, with dependants numbering about 65,000. The application fee is about £2,500 per person (including the Immigration Health Surcharge, IHS). Processing time is about 2–3 months. This route has a lower English language requirement (A1 level), but applicants must show they can support themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds.

2.2 Canada Stream A / Stream B (Hong Kong Pathway)

Canada has set up a special channel for Hong Kong residents, valid until February 2026. Stream A applies to Hong Kong residents who graduated from a recognised Canadian institution (post-secondary or above) within the past three years, while Stream B requires one year of accumulated work experience in Canada (within the past five years). In 2024, Canada approved about 18,000 Hong Kong channel applications, with a processing time of about 6–12 months. Applicants do not need to go through the Comprehensive Ranking System (Express Entry) points assessment; they may apply directly once eligible. Upon success, they may obtain a three-year open work permit (for example, working before graduation) or apply directly for permanent residency.

2.3 Australian Skilled Migration (189 / 190 / 491)

Hong Kong residents can obtain additional points or priority processing through Australia’s Hong Kong-specific channels, in the 189 Skilled Independent visa, the 190 State Nomination or the 491 Regional Sponsorship. In 2024, Australia opened two dedicated streams for Hong Kong passport holders: the Hong Kong Stream (189) and the Hong Kong Stream (191 permanent residency), requiring holders of a 485 Graduate visa or a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa who have resided in Australia for four years to apply directly for permanent residency. In addition, the ordinary skilled migration points system is also competitive for Hongkongers (age, academic qualifications, English). In 2024, about 4,200 Hongkongers were approved for skilled migration.

2.4 Taiwan Residence and Settlement

The Taiwan–Hong Kong–Macau Relations Act allows Hong Kong residents to reside and settle in Taiwan. Applicants need to have resided continuously in Taiwan for one year (no fewer than 183 days per year) or two years (no fewer than 183 days per year, totalling no fewer than 365 days), and have stable income or investment. In 2024, Taiwan approved residence for about 15,000 Hong Kong residents and settlement for about 3,000. The threshold is relatively low, but Taiwan’s cost of living and employment opportunities require careful evaluation.

2.5 Other Popular Destinations

• Singapore: Singapore has an Employment Pass (EP) and a skilled migration scheme for Hong Kong professionals, but the threshold is relatively high (monthly salary usually must reach SGD 5,000 or above). In 2024, about 1,200 Hong Kong residents were approved for EPs.
• United States: Mainly through L-1 intra-company transfer or EB-1A / EB-2 NIW extraordinary ability migration, which is more difficult; in 2024 about 1,800 Hongkongers were approved for green cards.
• New Zealand: In 2024 launched the “Hong Kong Resident Visa”, a four-year settlement path similar to Australia’s, with about 800 approvals per year.

III. Two-Way Migration Routes Comparison Table

• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) (moving to Hong Kong): Non-Hong Kong residents · meet 6 of the 12 General Points Test criteria, or the Achievement-based Points Test · 7 years · those with high academic qualifications, high skills and work experience
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Category A (moving to Hong Kong): Non-Hong Kong residents · annual salary of HK$2.5 million or above · four weeks · 7 years · high-income individuals (no academic restriction)
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Categories B/C (moving to Hong Kong): Non-Hong Kong residents · eligible university bachelor’s degree plus work experience · four weeks