2026 Hong Kong Migration Routes: Eligibility to Settlement

As an international financial centre, Hong Kong has long attracted talent from around the world. “Hong Kong migration” refers to the process by which non-Hong Kong residents apply to settle in the city through various admission schemes. According to publicly available data from the Immigration Department for 2024, various talent admission schemes received a total of more than 88,000 applications over the year, an increase of about 40% over 2023, with applications under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) showing particularly marked growth. This article breaks down the main Hong Kong migration routes for 2025 in one go, from eligibility thresholds and cost estimates to the seven-year permanent residency pathway, providing an objective and comprehensive reference guide.

Overview of Hong Kong’s Main Migration Routes

At present, Hong Kong’s migration policy centres on “talent import” rather than investment or property-based migration. The following four schemes are the most common application channels:

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

The QMAS was launched in 2006 and assesses applicants under the General Points Test (GPT) or the Achievement-based Points Test (APT).

• Eligibility threshold: Under the GPT, an applicant must meet 6 of 12 assessment criteria, which cover six areas: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership; the APT may also be chosen.
• Target applicants: Professionals with strong academic backgrounds and work experience, particularly in fields such as finance, information technology and the creative industries.
• Processing time: Selection exercises are conducted periodically.
• Extension model: Under the GPT, the first entry is generally granted a stay of 36 months, with approved extensions typically granted on a “3+2” year basis; under the APT, the first entry is generally granted a stay of eight years. After being ordinarily resident for not less than seven consecutive years, one may apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the law.

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

The TTPS was launched at the end of 2022 and targets high-income or highly educated individuals. It is divided into three categories: A (annual income of HK$2.5 million or above), B (a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university plus three years of work experience) and C (a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university obtained in the past five years, with a quota of 10,000 persons).

• Eligibility threshold: Category A has no academic requirement; Categories B and C must hold a degree from a top 100 university worldwide (the list is published by the Labour and Welfare Bureau and includes 185 institutions in 2025).
• Advantages: Fast processing, about 4–8 weeks; the first visa is valid for 24 months, during which the holder may work in Hong Kong and change employers.
• Extension: The holder must be employed in Hong Kong or set up a business, demonstrating contribution to the Hong Kong economy.
• Time to permanent residency: Likewise, holding the visa for a full seven years.

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)

The ASMTP is the main channel for Mainland residents to work in Hong Kong and requires sponsorship by a Hong Kong employer.

• Application conditions: The applicant must possess professional knowledge or skills lacking in Hong Kong; the employer must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled through local recruitment.
• Processing time: About 4–6 weeks.
• Extension: The visa is normally valid for two years and may be renewed upon expiry, with permanent residency applied for after seven years.
• Note: Changing employer requires a fresh application.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Suitable for non-local students who have completed a full-time bachelor’s degree or above programme in Hong Kong.

• Application conditions: Within six months of graduation, one may directly apply for a 24-month stay visa without the need for employment sponsorship.
• Extension: Thereafter, one must be employed by a Hong Kong company, and the work must be relevant to one’s academic qualifications or meet the salary level.
• Advantages: Ample time to look for a job after graduation, and the period under the IANG visa counts towards the seven-year permanent residency period.

Key Parameter Comparison of Hong Kong Migration Schemes

For ease of comparison, the table below sets out the core parameters of the four main migration routes:

• QMAS: Highly educated/professionals · Under GPT must meet 6 of 12 criteria (or APT) · Not required · Selection exercises conducted periodically · First stay 36 months (GPT) / eight years (APT)
• TTPS Category A: High-income individuals · None · Not required · 4–8 weeks · 2 years · No quota
• TTPS Categories B/C: Holders of degrees from top 100 universities worldwide · Bachelor’s degree (eligible university) · Not required · 4–8 weeks · 2 years · Category C 10,000 persons/year
• ASMTP: Persons employed by Hong Kong companies · Usually a degree or professional qualification · Employer sponsorship required · 4–6 weeks · 2 years · No quota
• IANG visa: Non-local graduates · Bachelor’s degree or above from a Hong Kong institution · Not required for first application; employment required for extension · 2–4 weeks · 2 years · No quota

Data source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (official publications for 2024–2025).

Hong Kong Migration Cost Estimates (Initial Application Stage)

Migrating to Hong Kong involves various expenses, including visa application fees, third-party service fees (such as engaging a consultant or lawyer), medical examination fees, document notarisation fees and so on. The reference cost ranges for each scheme are set out below (in HK$):

• QMAS: Application fee HK$600, third-party service fee HK$15,000–50,000, document preparation about HK$3,000–8,000.
• TTPS: Application fee HK$230, third-party service fee HK$10,000–30,000 (if engaging an agent).
• ASMTP: Application fee HK$230, with the employer bearing most of the costs; personal expenditure about HK$5,000–20,000.
• IANG visa: Application fee HK$230; applying after graduation requires no additional service fee.

In addition, a budget for 3–6 months of living expenses after arrival is needed, including rent (HK$8,000–20,000 per month), transport (HK$500–1,500), food (HK$3,000–6,000) and insurance (HK$1,000–3,000), among others. Overall relocation costs may be adjusted according to individual circumstances.

Hong Kong Permanent Residency Application Pathway

Regardless of which migration scheme is used, the common prerequisite for applying for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (permanent residency) is: being ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for seven years or more consecutively. “Ordinarily resident” means residing lawfully, voluntarily and with the purpose of settling; short absences from Hong Kong (such as business trips or travel) do not break continuity. The seven-year period may involve multiple extensions of stay.

• QMAS / TTPS / ASMTP / IANG: All extension models support cumulative seven years.
• Investment migration (suspended): The old scheme was suspended in 2015 and is not currently applicable.
• Other special schemes: Include the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) and the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) (relaunched in 2024 with a threshold of HK$30 million), but as these are not mainstream routes they are not explained in detail here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is there an age limit for Hong Kong migration? Under the QMAS General Points Test, the age criterion is whether the applicant is aged 50 or below; the TTPS and ASMTP have no hard upper age limit, but in practice it is recommended to apply below the age of 50.

2. What if a TTPS extension is refused? If the extension is refused, one may consider switching to another visa category (such as QMAS or ASMTP), provided the relevant conditions are met, and the time previously spent resident may still be counted continuously (subject to approval of the new visa).

3. Can I freely change jobs while staying under an IANG visa? During the first IANG visa period, one may freely change employers without prior approval; however, when extending the stay, one must demonstrate that the employment situation matches one’s academic qualifications or salary level.

4. How many criteria must be met under the QMAS to be more likely to be approved? Under the GPT, an applicant must meet 6 of the 12 assessment criteria before the application can be submitted; meeting the threshold does not guarantee approval, and applications meeting more criteria will be given priority consideration, with the final decision made at the discretion of the Director of Immigration.

5. How many days away from Hong Kong during the seven-year permanent residency period will break continuity? The Immigration Department has no explicit rule setting a maximum number of days, but generally it is recommended not to be away from Hong Kong for more than 180 days in any one year, and to retain proof documents such as a Hong Kong address, tax bills and bank statements. A prolonged absence (for example, more than six months) may require an explanation.

6. Can a spouse and children come as dependants at the same time? The QMAS, TTPS, ASMTP and IANG all allow applicants to bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong as dependants; dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.

7. Must a Mainland China household registration be cancelled? After applying for permanent residency, if one wishes to apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport, in theory one must give up Mainland household registration; however, while holding only a Hong Kong Identity Card (non-permanent), Mainland household registration is unaffected.

Conclusion

In 2025, Hong Kong’s migration policy is primarily talent-oriented, with the QMAS, TTPS, ASMTP and IANG visa each having their own characteristics. When choosing, one should consider personal academic background, income level, career planning and family circumstances comprehensively. It is recommended to first use the QMAS self-assessment tool on the Immigration Department website for a preliminary assessment before deciding on an application route. Migrating to Hong Kong requires not only meeting visa conditions but also making adequate practical, financial and psychological preparations in order to transition smoothly to the permanent residency stage.

Reference sources: Hong Kong Immigration Department official website (immd.gov.hk), Labour and Welfare Bureau policy documents, and Census and Statistics Department population data. The above information is for reference only; specific applications are subject to the latest official announcements.