TTPS Initial Stay: 36 Months for Category A, 24 for B/C

As at 7 October 2026, Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) applicants in Category A are granted an initial limit of stay of 36 months, and those in Categories B and C 24 months. An extension of stay must be applied for online within three months before the limit expires, and the applicant must prove that they are employed in Hong Kong with a stable income or have established or are engaged in a business there; approval generally allows an extension of stay of no more than three years, while those in the Top Talent category are generally granted an extension of six years.

Initial Stay: 36 Months for Category A, 24 Months for Categories B/C

Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the TTPS are subject only to a limit of stay; the length of the initial stay is determined by category.

Applicants need not have secured a job in Hong Kong when they apply; provided they meet the general immigration requirements, they may be granted a stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C) without any other conditions of stay. During the permitted stay, holders may freely take up or change employment in Hong Kong, and establish or engage in any business, without prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

Each applicant may be granted the “initial stay arrangement” only once under the TTPS. This arrangement does not apply to those who have previously been granted it (whether as a principal applicant or a dependant), nor to persons who, at the time of application or within the preceding six months, have already been permitted to remain in Hong Kong under any talent admission scheme; such persons must meet both the eligibility for entry and the eligibility for an extension of stay.

Details of the three categories of eligibility and the initial stay arrangement under the TTPS are set out in the Top Talent Pass Scheme overview; for other talent admission routes, see Talent admission schemes.

Timing and Basic Requirements for Extension of Stay

An application for an extension of stay must be made online within three months before the limit of stay expires, together with the relevant application fee.

Applicants should follow these steps:

• Apply online for an extension of stay within three months before the limit of stay expires.
• Ensure the applicant is already in Hong Kong when submitting the application.
• When making the application, prove that you are employed in Hong Kong with a stable income, or have established or are engaged in a business in Hong Kong.
• Once all required documents and the relevant application fee are received, the Immigration Department generally completes processing within about two to three weeks.
• In all cases, the application should be submitted at least six weeks before the limit of stay expires.

Not all extension applications are approved; the applicant must be in Hong Kong when applying. The online application for an extension of stay may be submitted via the GovHK website.

Considerations for Employed Persons and Business Operators

The assessment of an extension of stay differs depending on whether the applicant is employed in Hong Kong or runs a business.

For an employed person, the job must normally be one that would be taken up by a degree holder, or by a person with good professional/technical qualifications, proven professional ability and/or documented experience and achievements; the remuneration and benefits must be at market level. Applications from managers or professionals assigned to Hong Kong under an “intra-company transfer arrangement” will also be considered, provided their work in Hong Kong meets the above conditions.

Persons who have established or are engaged in a business in Hong Kong must provide documents showing that the business is genuinely operating in Hong Kong, is sound and sustainable, and can contribute to the Hong Kong economy.

If the application is approved, the applicant is generally granted an extension of stay of no more than three years, or until the expiry of their employment contract in Hong Kong, whichever is shorter, without any other conditions of stay.

Top Talent Category: Generally a Six-Year Extension

Applicants who meet the Top Talent category are generally granted an extension of six years.

Applicants must have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong under the TTPS for no less than two years, and have an assessed income for salaries tax of HK$2 million or above in the preceding assessment year. Successful applicants are generally granted an extension of stay of six years without any other conditions of stay, and must provide documents such as the Inland Revenue Department’s tax assessment notice as proof.

Documents to Upload for Extension

The extension application must include the relevant documents uploaded according to the applicant’s status.

Documents to Upload for Employed Persons

Employed persons (as applicable) must upload the following documents:

• Travel document.
• Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID).
• Confirmation notice issued by Hong Kong Talent Engage regarding completion of the “Top Talent Pass Scheme holders’ exclusive questionnaire survey”.
• Bachelor’s degree qualification authentication documents (for Category B and C persons who have not previously submitted them to the Immigration Department).
• Signed employment confirmation letter from the current employing company, stating the position, monthly salary and other benefits, and the period of employment.
• Employment contract or offer letter signed between the employing company and the applicant, containing details such as position, salary, other benefits and period of employment.
• Proof of salary/income.
• Proof of tax status.
• Documents proving the “intra-company transfer arrangement” (if applicable).

If the employer is listed on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, or has had a non-local employee whose employment or training visa/entry permit was successfully approved within the 24 months immediately preceding the application, the company documents marked with ”^” need not be submitted.

Documents to Upload for Persons Who Have Established or Are Engaged in a Business in Hong Kong

Persons who have established or are engaged in a business in Hong Kong (as applicable) must provide the following documents:

• Business registration certificate or company registration certificate, etc.
• Proof of the applicant’s absolute beneficial ownership (e.g. relevant returns or registers showing the latest shareholder status and directors’ names).
• Documents proving the company’s financial position.
• Documents on the company’s background details.
• Documents proving the establishment of an office (e.g. tenancy agreement).
• Documents proving the company’s business activities.
• Documents proving the creation of jobs for local employees (e.g. monthly MPF contribution records).
• A confirmation letter from the current company stating the applicant’s contribution to the Hong Kong economy, including the amount invested in Hong Kong, the number of jobs created, and the projected investment amount and number of jobs over the next three years.

Documents to Upload for Accompanying Dependants

Accompanying dependants applying for an extension must upload:

• Travel document.
• Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID).
• Form ID481A (sponsor’s declaration).
• Form ID481B (dependant’s declaration).
• The sponsor’s travel document and Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID).

Category B and C persons admitted to Hong Kong who have not submitted their bachelor’s degree qualification authentication documents to the Immigration Department must submit them together with the extension application; the authentication documents must be issued by a third-party authentication body or the awarding institution and provide verifiable information.

Official Responses on Unemployment During Extension and After Leaving Hong Kong

When submitting an extension application, the applicant must already have obtained employment or established or engaged in a business. If the applicant cannot prove that they will continue to be employed in Hong Kong or have established or engaged in any business, the extension application may be refused.

The “initial stay arrangement” may be granted to each person only once. If a person admitted to Hong Kong under the TTPS leaves Hong Kong at a later date after their limit of stay has expired, they may only apply to return under an immigration policy or scheme other than the TTPS.

Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the TTPS who have been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong continuously for not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law. Non-permanent residents do not require a visa to return to Hong Kong, but must return within the valid permitted period of residence and where their Hong Kong resident status remains unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a TTPS extension generally granted for?

Approval generally allows an extension of stay of no more than three years, or until the employment contract expires (whichever is shorter). Successful applicants in the Top Talent category are generally granted an extension of six years.

What must be proved for a TTPS extension?

You must prove that you are employed in Hong Kong with a stable income, or have established or are engaged in a business in Hong Kong. Only those who are in Hong Kong when applying and meet the above conditions will have their application considered.

Can the initial stay arrangement be used again?

No. Each applicant may be granted the “initial stay arrangement” only once under the TTPS, and those who have previously been granted it cannot use it again. After leaving Hong Kong at a later date and once the limit of stay has expired, they may only apply to return under an immigration policy or scheme other than the TTPS.

What are the requirements for the Top Talent category?

You must have been permitted to stay in Hong Kong under the TTPS for not less than two years, and have an assessed income for salaries tax of HK$2 million or above in the preceding assessment year. Those who qualify are generally granted an extension of six years, and must submit proof such as the Inland Revenue Department’s tax assessment notice.

When should the extension application be submitted?

It should be submitted online within three months before the limit of stay expires, and in all cases at least six weeks before expiry. Once the Immigration Department has received all documents and the application fee, it generally completes processing within about two to three weeks.

Official Sources

• Top Talent Pass Scheme – Immigration Department
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Frequently Asked Questions – Immigration Department
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Entry Guide ID(C)1026 (PDF) – Immigration Department
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Entry Guide Forms Page – Immigration Department
• Top Talent Pass Scheme Online Application for Extension of Stay – GovHK

This article is a compilation of policy information and does not constitute legal advice; the policy is subject to the latest announcements by official departments such as the Immigration Department.