A Comprehensive Guide to Long-term Residency in Hong Kong
Region Profile:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, backed by mainland China, is one of the world-renowned international financial metropolises.
In recent years, Hong Kong has undergone significant population changes, opening its doors widely to immigrants from around the world, particularly to residents from mainland China.
Capital: Hong Kong
Population: 7,498,100 (2023 estimated)
Ethic Group: 91.6% Chinese, 2.7% Filipino, 1.9% Indonesian
Area: 2,754.97 km2 (168th)
Offical Language: Chinese & English
Currency: Hong Kong dollar (1 HKD= 0.13 USD)
GDP per Captial: $75,128 (2024 estimated, 12th)
How To Become A Resident In Hong Kong:
Residency Routes To Hong Kong:
In the past four to five years, due to significant population changes, Hong Kong has progressively relaxed its immigration restrictions for overseas individuals, particularly residents from mainland China.
Currently, foreigners can obtain residency in Hong Kong through the following five methods:
1. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS): This scheme includes two comprehensive scoring systems based on age, education, professional qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, field of work, family status, and outstanding achievements. If you have exceptional achievements or score more than 80 out of 225 points on the scoring table, you can apply for residency in Hong Kong.
2. Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): This scheme requires an annual income of over 2.5 million HKD or a bachelor’s degree or higher from one of the world’s top 100 universities.
3. General Employment Policy (GEP): This policy allows you to obtain residency if you secure a local job in Hong Kong, with your employer sponsoring your work immigration.
4. Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS): This less common work immigration pathway targets elites in the innovation and technology sectors.
5. Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG): This applies to graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher from universities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area campuses of Hong Kong universities. Eligible graduates can apply for employment in Hong Kong within six months after graduation to live and work in Hong Kong.
6. Residency by Investment Program: Starting from March 2024, Hong Kong relaunch the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), requiring a minimum investment of 30 million HKD, almost $3,850,000.
How to apply for Hong Kong Residency?
All information related to Hong Kong residency applications can be found on the website of the Immigration Department of the Special Administrative Region, where you can also apply online.
In addition to investment immigration, you can apply for other programs such as GEP, QMAS, and TTPS on your own (DIY) or hire an intermediary agency to handle the application for a fee.
Dependents & Passport:
All new residents who obtain residency in Hong Kong through the above methods can bring their spouses and children under 18 to live in Hong Kong, with their spouses having legal working rights.
After living in Hong Kong for seven years and proving their connection to the city, new residents can apply for a Hong Kong passport.
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES):
Eligibility Requirements:
The Hong Kong government previously implemented an investment immigration program from 2003 to 2015, which was then suspended for several years.
Starting in October 2023, the Special Administrative Region government relaunched the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), with investment immigration applications opening on March 1, 2024.
The new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme requires applicants to meet the following criteria:
1. Be at least 18 years old;
2. Be a foreign resident, a resident of Taiwan or Macau, or a mainland Chinese individual with permanent residency overseas;
3. Submit a net asset review application to the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Agency to demonstrate that their net assets have consistently exceeded 30 million HKD (approximately $3,850,000) for the two years prior to the application;
4. Invest 30 million HKD (or equivalent foreign currency) in Hong Kong, distributed as follows:
At least 3 million HKD must be invested in the innovation and technology sector or key industries;
Bank deposit investments cannot exceed 3 million HKD;
Non-residential real estate investments cannot exceed 10 million HKD;
The remaining amount should be invested in stocks, bonds, eligible collective investment schemes, subordinated debt, limited partnership funds, etc.;
5. Have no adverse records and demonstrate financial capability to support themselves and their dependents in Hong Kong.
How to apply for Hong Kong CIES:
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme(QMAS):
What is Hong Kong QMAS:
The “Quality Migrant Admission Scheme” (QMAS) is an immigration program launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on February 23, 2006, to attract skilled individuals from various fields worldwide. Initially, the QMAS had an annual quota of 1,000 people. Due to changing population trends, the Hong Kong Immigration Department later doubled the quota to 2,000 people, and eventually, the quota was entirely removed. The program now increasingly favors applicants from mainland China.
The QMAS grants approved applicants a Hong Kong residence visa with no residency requirement. Visa holders can legally reside, work, study, and live in Hong Kong. After seven years, those who meet additional requirements can apply to convert their residency status to permanent residency in Hong Kong.
The basic requirements for QMAS applicants are:
- Being over 18 years old
- Having no criminal record
- Possessing a good educational and financial background
- Having good written and spoken Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or English skills
- Meeting the score requirements of one of the two points-based assessment systems set by the government
Points Table:
The details of the General point test are as follows:
Application Process:
There are four steps to apply for Hong Kong QMAS:
Stage 1: Prerequisites
All applicants under the Scheme are required to fulfill a set of prerequisites before they can be awarded points under one of the two points-based tests under the Scheme.
Stage 2: Points-based test
Applicants who have met all the prerequisites may choose to be assessed either under the General Points Test or Achievement-based Points Test. There are six point-scoring factors under the General Points Test and one point-scoring factor under the Achievement-based Points Test.
A minimum passing mark is set under the General Points Test. Persons who choose the Achievement-based Points Test are advised to assess whether their credentials are adequate to meet the minimum passing mark before submitting an application.
Stage 3: Selection exercise
Selection exercises will be done on a regular basis for quota allocation to applicants. During each selection exercise, applicants who satisfy both the prerequisites and the minimum passing mark (under the General Points Test) or the one point-scoring factor (under the Achievement-based Points Test) will be ranked according to scores awarded. High scoring applications will be short-listed for further assessment. The Director of Immigration may seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants and Professionals (the Advisory Committee) on the assessment, point-scoring and allocation of quota under the Scheme. The Advisory Committee comprises official and non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR. The Advisory Committee will consider the socio-economic needs of Hong Kong, the sectoral mix of candidates and other relevant factors, and recommend to the Director of Immigration how best to allocate quota in each selection exercise. Meeting the minimum passing mark or high-scoring applications do not necessarily secure quota allotment. As it takes time to process applications, applicants may regard their applications as being under processing unless they receive a notification of refusal from the Immigration Department.
Stage 4: Issue of visa/entry permit
Successful applicants will be issued with a visa/ entry permit (in the form of “e-Visa”) under the Scheme for staying in Hong Kong.
Successful applicants under the Scheme may bring their spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him/her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong provided that they are capable of supporting and accommodating their dependants on their own financial resources without relying on public assistance in Hong Kong.
Top Talent Pass Scheme(TTPS):
What is Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme?
The “Top Talent Pass Scheme” (TTPS), is a talent attraction program introduced by the Hong Kong government to address the talent gap and attract highly skilled professionals with extensive work experience and high educational qualifications from around the world to explore opportunities in Hong Kong.
To apply for the Hong Kong TTPS, applicants must meet one of the following three qualifications:
1. Category A: Applicants must have an annual income of at least 2.5 million HKD (approximately $320,546) or its equivalent in foreign currency in the year preceding the application. This category has no quota.
2. Category B: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from one of the world’s top 100 universities and at least three years of work experience accumulated within the five years preceding the application. This category has no quota.
3. Category C: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from one of the world’s top 100 universities within the five years preceding the application but have less than three years of work experience. This category has an annual quota of 10,000, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can check the list of top 100 universities that meet the application requirements here.
Additionally, applicants for the TTPS must meet basic conditions such as having no serious criminal record.
How to apply for Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme?
For the Hong Kong TTPS, applicants can submit their visa applications online.
Required documents include:
- A recent photo of the applicant
- Valid travel documents
- Graduation certificates
- Proof of work experience
- Financial status documents
- Information related to dependents
- Proof of relationship between the applicant and dependents
The visa processing time is approximately four weeks, and the Immigration Department will notify applicants of the result via email.
Visa Duration：
Individuals entering Hong Kong through the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) are generally granted an initial stay of around 24 months. During this period, you can freely engage in and switch jobs in Hong Kong. you can also switch to other visa types while in Hong Kong. If you secure local employment or engage in activities with an annual income exceeding 2 million HKD, you can apply for a stay extension four weeks before the initial period ends. Upon approval, your stay can be extended for six years, during which you can apply for Hong Kong residency.
It is important to note that each person can only apply for the TTPS once in your lifetime; repeat applications are not permitted.
General Employment Policy（GEP）:
Applicants who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR may apply to come to work under the GEP.
The GEP is quota-free and non-sector specific.
An application for a visa/ entry permit to take up employment under the GEP may be favourably considered if:
1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
2. the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
3. there is a genuine job vacancy;
4. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or work experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and the remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
It normally takes four weeks to process visa/entry permit applications for employment upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS):
Who is eligible for Hong Kong’s Technology Talent Admission Scheme?
The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) is an employer-sponsored visa program targeting professionals in advanced communication technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital entertainment, fintech, green technology, integrated circuit design, the Internet of Things, material science, microelectronics, quantum technology, and robotics.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. No serious criminal record.
2. Hold a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from a university ranked in the top 100 of any of four recognized global rankings. If the degree is a bachelor’s, the applicant must also have over one year of relevant work experience in a related technology field. For master’s or doctoral degrees, there is no work experience requirement. Exceptionally talented individuals with substantial justification may be exempt from the degree requirement, though this is rare and highly selective.
You can view The list of eligible top 100 universities at this site.
Additionally,your salary must be comparable to local salaries for similar positions.
How to apply for a Hong Kong’s TechTAS:
The application process for the Hong Kong Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) involves the following steps:
1. Quota Application: The Hong Kong company must first apply for a work quota from the Innovation and Technology Commission. The quota is valid for 24 months.
2. Employment Contract: The applicant must sign a genuine and compliant employment contract with the Hong Kong company, which will then submit the visa application on the applicant’s behalf.
3. Visa Approval: The Immigration Department will provide an approval decision within two weeks.
Visa Validity:
Individuals arriving in Hong Kong under the TechTAS generally receive an initial visa with a validity of 36 months (or as determined by the employment contract). The visa can be renewed for an additional 2 to 3 years under the same conditions before it expires.
After legally residing in Hong Kong for seven years and meeting other requirements, you can apply for a Hong Kong passport.
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG):
What is IANG?
Applicants who are/were non-local students and have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong (hereafter “non-local graduates”) may apply to stay/return and work in the HKSAR under the IANG.
Persons who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time programme offered by a higher education institution in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly established by universities of the Mainland and Hong Kong in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (hereafter “GBA campus graduates”) may also apply to come and work in the HKSAR under the IANG.
The IANG is quota-free and non-sector specific. The IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of) and Nepal. For nationals of Vietnam, the IANG only applies to those who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally-accredited local programme in Hong Kong offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, but excluding: (i) self-financing programmes offered by the relevant universities; and (ii) programmes offered by the continuing and professional education arms of the relevant universities.
How to apply for a Hong Kong’s IANG?
Graduates who wish to apply for the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) in Hong Kong can gather all the required documents and submit their visa application online.
Required documents include:
- A consent letter for employment in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong identity card or travel documents
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate
- Company reference letter
- Employment contract
The Hong Kong Immigration Department will process the visa application within four weeks.
Visa Duration:
The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) program allows graduates to stay in Hong Kong for 24 months. After this period, you can apply to extend your stay in increments of three years each.
Investment as Entrepreneurs Scheme:
An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for investment as entrepreneur may be favourably considered if:
| a. | there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant; | |
| b. | the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted; and | |
| c. | (i) | the applicant is in a position to make substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR, with consideration factors including, but not limited to, business plan, business turnover, financial resources, investment sum, number of jobs created locally and introduction of new technology or skills. Details of these consideration factors are as follows: Business Plan An applicant who wishes to establish or join in business in Hong Kong should submit a two-year business plan stating the nature of the business, market analysis, market positioning, business direction, sales targets, product marketing strategy, etc. in order to demonstrate that the business is suitable for and capable of developing in Hong Kong. The applicant should also submit a two-year forecast of the profit-and-loss account statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet to demonstrate the feasibility of the business in terms of operation, finances and development. The Immigration Department will seek advice, if needed, from relevant government departments or professional bodies on the applicant’s business plan in order to assess whether the business supports Hong Kong’s overall economic development. For example, the Immigration Department may consider whether the applicant’s business belongs to or is able to complement industries that Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages, such as the four traditional pillar industries (i.e. trading and logistics, tourism, financial services, and professional and producer services) or the four clusters of sectors being explored for support measures by the Economic Development Commission (i.e. transportation, convention and exhibition industries and tourism, manufacturing industries, innovative technology and cultural and creative industries, and professional services), etc.Business Turnover If the applicant is running relevant business overseas or has joined in a business in Hong Kong, he/she should submit the profit-and-loss account statement and balance sheet showing the business turnover and profit in the previous year. Those who intend to establish business in Hong Kong should submit a two-year forecast of profit-and-loss account statement and balance sheet as mentioned above, including the anticipated business turnover in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the business operation and development. In assessing an application for entry for investment to establish business in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department will also consider whether the applicant has relevant investment or working experience in the business concerned. If needed, the Immigration Department will seek advice from relevant government departments or professional bodies in order to assess whether the business is suitable for and able to sustain a steady growth in Hong Kong, and can give impetus to the industry concerned.Financial Resources The applicant should submit statements of his/her personal and company bank accounts in the previous year and proof of other sources of funding, as well as the company’s latest audited financial report (if any) to demonstrate that he/she has sufficient financial resources to run the relevant business in Hong Kong and also support the smooth operation and sustainable growth of the business.Investment Sum The applicant should submit documentary proof showing the amount of capital investment in Hong Kong. The Immigration Department will consider whether the investment amount is able to support the operation of the business.Number of Jobs Created Locally The applicant should set out the organisational structure of his/her business and the required number of staff and posts, based on the nature and scale of the business. He/She should indicate the number and level of actual jobs created locally (e.g. managers, administrators, professionals, clerical support staff, etc.).Introduction of New Technology or Skills (if applicable) The applicant should explain how the new technology or skills to be introduced can inspire creativity in the high-value-added industries in Hong Kong, and whether he/she has taken out patent, contributing to the long-term development of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy. |
| (ii) | Start-up Businesses An applicant who wishes to establish or join in a start-up business may also submit an application. The Immigration Department may consider the application favourably, if the start-up business concerned is supported by a government-backed programme with a rigorous vetting and selection process, and the applicant is the proprietor or partner of the start-up company or a key researcher of the relevant project. Examples of government-backed programmes include: StartmeupHK Venture Programme administered by InvestHK;Incu-App, Incu-Bio and Incu-Tech programmes administered by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation;Cyberport Incubation Programme;Enterprise Support Scheme administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission; andDesign Incubation Programme administered by the Hong Kong Design Centre. |
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It normally takes four weeks to process a visa/entry permit application for investment upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received.
Passport Utility:
Following the principle of “one country, two systems” with mainland China, Hong Kong maintains a unique status.
Globally, the Hong Kong SAR passport holds the 19th rank, enabling its bearers to travel unrestrictedly (through visa-free access or visa on arrival) to a total of 172 countries and regions around the world(May 20, 2024).
Useful Links：
Hong Kong Visa On-line Platform：https://www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/
Hong Kong Immigration Department：https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/index.html
Hong Kong New CIES: https://www.newcies.gov.hk/en/index.html