2026 Hong Kong Two-Way Migration: TTPS and Outbound Trends

At the start of 2026, Hong Kong’s migration policy has seen key changes on both its ‘inbound’ and ‘outbound’ fronts. On the one hand, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) has entered its first wave of renewal applications, and the assessment mechanism under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) has been further clarified; on the other, the main routes for Hong Kong residents to relocate overseas — such as the UK BN(O) visa and Australia’s Global Talent Visa (GTI) — have also developed new trends in response to policy adjustments in various countries. This article consolidates the latest official information from the Immigration Department, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the UK Home Office and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, to map out the latest developments for readers and offer actionable advice.

1. TTPS Renewals: The First ‘Renewal Window’ Officially Opens

The TTPS has been in place since the end of 2022, and the limits of stay for the first batch of approved applicants are now gradually expiring. Under the current official arrangements, Category A applicants are granted an initial stay of 36 months, while Category B and C applicants are granted an initial stay of 24 months; these deadlines have now entered the renewal phase.

Key renewal requirements (current Immigration Department rules):

• Employed persons: must show they are employed in the Hong Kong SAR and earn a stable income from it.
• Self-employed persons: must show they have established or are engaged in a business in the Hong Kong SAR.
• Timing of application: may apply online to extend the limit of stay within the three months before the limit expires, and should in all cases submit at least six weeks before the limit expires.

Impact analysis:

TTPS renewal requires proof of employment in Hong Kong with a stable income, or of having established or being engaged in a business in Hong Kong; the Immigration Department has made clear that not every application to extend the limit of stay will necessarily be approved. Those who have not yet built substantive work or business ties in Hong Kong should prepare early within the three months before their limit of stay expires, to avoid a visa lapse. Applicants who meet the ‘Top Talent’ category (having been in Hong Kong for not less than two years and with an assessable income for salaries tax of HK$2,000,000 or above in the preceding tax year) are generally granted an extension of six years.

2. QMAS: Current Assessment Mechanism and Stay Arrangements

The QMAS aims to attract highly skilled talents or exceptional individuals to settle in Hong Kong, and applicants need not first secure a local employer. Eligible persons must first meet four basic eligibility requirements (aged 18 or above; able to meet, on their own, the living and accommodation expenses of themselves and their dependants during their stay in Hong Kong; no criminal record or adverse immigration record; and a good educational background). Applications that fail to provide proof will be rejected outright.

The current assessment mechanism offers two routes — the General Points Test (GPT) and the Achievement-based Points Test (APT) — and applicants may choose only one. The GPT sets out 12 assessment criteria spanning six areas: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership. The eligibility threshold is to meet six of these criteria, and only those who reach the threshold may submit online. The APT is for those with extraordinary talent or skills and outstanding achievements (such as Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes or national/international awards, or work recognised by peers and making a significant contribution to the field); meeting one of its criteria qualifies the applicant.

Meeting the basic eligibility and the application threshold does not mean approval is guaranteed; applications that meet more assessment criteria will be given priority consideration, and the Director of Immigration has absolute discretion to approve or reject any application without giving reasons. Professionals on the Talent List, once assessed, may be given priority consideration under the GPT.

Period of stay and renewal:

Those admitted under the GPT are generally granted an initial stay of 36 months upon first entry; if an extension is approved, it is generally granted on a ‘3+2’ year basis. Those who have been in Hong Kong for not less than two years and whose assessable income for salaries tax reached HK$2,000,000 or above in the preceding tax year are generally granted a five-year extension. Those admitted under the APT are generally granted an initial stay of eight years upon first entry. Mainland residents, if approved, must submit a consent letter for residence in Hong Kong issued by their Mainland employer or relevant authority, and apply to the relevant Mainland authorities for the Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with a Hong Kong endorsement.

3. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES): Current Threshold and Arrangements

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) applies to foreign nationals, Chinese nationals who have acquired foreign permanent resident status, residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwanese Chinese residents; ordinary Mainland residents (those who have not acquired foreign permanent resident status) are not within its scope.

Latest threshold: Applicants must, throughout the entire six-month period preceding their net asset assessment application, have continuously and absolutely beneficially owned net assets with a net value of not less than HK$30,000,000, and must invest not less than HK$30,000,000 in permissible investment assets of which they have absolute beneficial ownership; of this, at least HK$27,000,000 must be invested in permissible financial assets and/or real estate, and a further HK$3,000,000 must be placed into the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Portfolio.

The overall investment cap on real estate counting towards the minimum investment threshold is HK$15,000,000 (of which the investment cap for residential real estate is HK$10,000,000); the transaction price threshold for a single residential property is HK$30,000,000. The above amendments apply to property investments with a completion date of 17 September 2025 or after. Permissible financial assets include equities, debt securities, subordinated debt and the like; qualifying collective investment schemes, limited partnership funds, and non-residential and/or residential real estate are subject to investment caps.

Application process and stay: Applicants must first apply to Invest Hong Kong to verify compliance with the net asset requirement, then apply to the Immigration Department. Those granted ‘approval-in-principle’ may enter Hong Kong as a visitor for not more than 180 days to make the investment; upon completion of the investment and verification they receive ‘formal approval’ and are generally granted a stay of not more than 24 months. Extensions are generally not more than three years. Those who have been continuously and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for not less than seven years may apply under the law to become a permanent resident of the Hong Kong SAR. In addition, for net asset assessment applications submitted on or after 1 November 2026, financial assets purchased through non-designated accounts will not meet the investment requirement.

4. Two-Way Migration’s ‘Outbound’ Developments: BN(O), GTI and Canadian Migration

4.1 UK BN(O) Visa: 2025 Application Numbers Fall, Policy Stabilises

Annual statistics released by the UK Home Office in January 2026 show that BN(O) visa applications for the whole of 2025 totalled about 52,000, down 24% from 68,000 in 2024, but still far above the 39,000 recorded in 2023. The main reasons for the decline include a shrinking ‘stock’ of potential applicants and a shift in family application patterns towards applying all at once as a whole family.

Notable new arrangement: From October 2025, when BN(O) visa holders apply for the ‘settled status’ route (Indefinite Leave to Remain), the period of residence may include time lawfully spent in the UK before the BN(O) visa was granted (such as under a student visa or work visa), counting for up to 12 months. This policy is seen as a significant boon for BN(O) applicants already in the UK.

4.2 Australia Global Talent Visa (GTI): 2026 Quota Cut, Threshold Raised

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, in the 2026–27 financial year migration programme announced in December 2025, cut the annual quota for the GTI (Global Talent Visa, subclass 858) from 5,000 to 3,000 places, while raising the income threshold (the minimum annual salary rose from AUD175,000 to AUD190,000) and requiring that applicants’ achievements be supported by ‘quantifiable substantive evidence’ (such as patents, paper citations, industry awards and international media coverage).

Impact on Hong Kong applicants: Although Hong Kong remains a priority source region for the GTI, competition will intensify as the quota shrinks. The previous model of relying on ‘Hong Kong status + 10 years of work experience’ now requires more outstanding personal achievements to stand out.

4.3 Canada’s ‘Lifeboat Scheme’: Final Application Deadline February 2026

Canada’s ‘Lifeboat Scheme’ for Hong Kong residents — the Open Work Permit (OWP) and Stream A/Stream B — will close to applications on 7 February 2026. As of the end of 2025, about 34,000 Hong Kong residents have obtained Canadian permanent residence through the scheme. Although the Canadian government has not yet announced an extension, there are reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is reviewing its effectiveness and may introduce a replacement in mid-2026. Those who have not yet applied must submit before 7 February.

5. Reader Action Recommendations

For those intending to migrate to Hong Kong

1. TTPS renewal: If your TTPS limit of stay is about to expire, apply online for an extension within the three months before expiry (and at least six weeks in advance), first reviewing your employment or business situation. If you do not meet the renewal requirements, consider switching to the QMAS or the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) (for Mainland applicants).
2. QMAS: Choose the GPT (meeting 6 of the 12 assessment criteria) or the APT based on your circumstances, and prepare the relevant supporting documents. Mainland residents must additionally submit a consent letter for residence in Hong Kong issued by their Mainland employer or relevant authority.
3. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: If you fall within the scheme’s scope (foreign nationals, Chinese nationals who have acquired foreign permanent resident status, Macao residents or Taiwanese Chinese residents) and have held net assets of not less than HK$30,000,000 throughout the entire six-month period before the net asset assessment application, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is a route that requires no academic qualifications or work experience.

For Hong Kong residents planning to migrate overseas

1. UK BN(O) visa: Applicants already in the UK should calculate their residence period as soon as possible, especially since the new rules introduced in October 2025 may mean they already meet the settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) requirements. Those who have not applied are advised to submit in the first half of 2026, to avoid any policy tightening.
2. Australia GTI: After the quota cut, you should strengthen the ‘weight’ of your personal CV. If you hold patents or have led projects, prepare recommendation letters and media coverage evidence early.
3. Canada Lifeboat Scheme: With only a month to the deadline, be sure to submit a complete application before 7 February. If you miss it, consider other longer-term routes such as Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), as some provinces still maintain dedicated channels for Hong Kong residents.

6. Data Sources and Disclaimer

The official sources cited in this article include:

• Top Talent Pass Scheme (Immigration Department)
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (Immigration Department)
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism (Immigration Department)
• New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (Immigration Department)
• New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme official website (Invest Hong Kong)
• UK Home Office and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs official statistics (regarding overseas routes such as BN(O) and GTI)

The Hong Kong immigration-related content in this article is subject to the latest announcements of the Hong Kong Immigration Department and Invest Hong Kong; information on overseas migration routes comes from the official agencies of the relevant countries, and readers should rely on the latest official announcements.