Do I need a job offer to move to Hong Kong?

Not necessarily. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) both allow you to apply without a job offer. TTPS Category A requires HK$2.5M+ annual income; Category B requires a degree from one of 200 eligible universities plus 3+ years' work experience. QMAS uses a points system requiring 80+ points. However, the most common route — the General Employment Policy (GEP) — does require employer sponsorship.

How long does a Hong Kong work visa take to process?

The General Employment Policy (GEP) work visa typically takes 4–6 weeks for straightforward cases. TTPS applications are processed in 4–6 weeks. QMAS can take 6–12 months due to the competitive selection process. Ensure all documents are properly authenticated — incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays.

Can my spouse work in Hong Kong on a dependent visa?

Yes. Spouses of GEP, TTPS, and QMAS visa holders can work in Hong Kong without a separate work visa. They are issued a dependent visa that includes the right to take up employment. This is one of Hong Kong's most family-friendly immigration policies compared to other Asian financial centers.

How do I get permanent residency in Hong Kong?

After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong on any valid visa (GEP, TTPS, QMAS, dependent, etc.), you can apply for the Right of Abode (permanent residency). The 7-year clock starts from your first day of residence. Brief absences for travel do not break continuity. PR grants unconditional right to live and work, and eligibility for an HKSAR passport.

What is the Top Talent Pass Scheme university list?

The TTPS university list includes 200 institutions worldwide (updated January 2026, expanded from 186). It covers top-ranked universities globally, including Ivy League schools, Oxbridge, major Asian universities (HKU, NUS, Tsinghua, Tokyo), and leading European institutions. Category B applicants must hold a degree from a listed university plus 3+ years' work experience; Category C applicants need a degree from the list within the past 5 years.

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🇭🇰 Hong Kong

Visa & Residency

HK$2.5M+ income

TTPS (Cat A)

No job offer needed; 3-year visa

Top 200 universities

TTPS (Cat B)

3+ years work experience; 2-year visa

4–6 weeks

GEP Work Visa

Employer-sponsored; most common route

80+ points

QMAS Points

No job offer; points-based selection

HK$30M+

Investment Visa (CIES)

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

On arrival

HKID Card

Issued to all residents within 30 days

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Hong Kong Island 🌃Kowloon

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Hong Kong has aggressively expanded its talent visa schemes since 2022, launching the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and refreshing the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) to attract global professionals. Unlike many Asian cities, several visa pathways do not require a job offer before application. The General Employment Policy (GEP) remains the standard employer-sponsored work visa, while the TTPS has already attracted 49,000+ approvals since launch.

Key Takeaways

Category A: annual income of HK$2.5 million+ (or equivalent) in the year before application — no job offer needed; 3-year visa
Employer-sponsored: company must apply on behalf of the employee through Immigration Department
No job offer required — applicants are assessed on their own merits via a points system
CIES: minimum investment HK$30 million in permissible financial assets (stocks, bonds, funds) and HK$3 million in a new CIES Investment Portfolio

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) — Hong Kong's Flagship Talent Visa

Launched in December 2022, the TTPS is Hong Kong's most popular new visa pathway, designed to attract high-earning professionals and graduates from world-class universities. Over 49,000 applications have been approved since launch, with fintech, biomedical research, and AI engineering topping the skills mix.

Category A: annual income of HK$2.5 million+ (or equivalent) in the year before application — no job offer needed; 3-year visa
Category B: degree from one of 200 eligible universities (list updated January 2026) + at least 3 years' work experience — 2-year visa; no job offer required
Category C: degree from eligible university within the past 5 years + less than 3 years' work experience — 2-year visa; annual quota applies (first-come, first-served)
Application fee: HK$600 (increased from February 2026); processing time: 4–6 weeks
TTPS holders can work for any employer, switch jobs freely, and bring dependents
Renewal: demonstrate employment or business activity in Hong Kong at renewal; pathway to permanent residency after 7 years continuous residence

General Employment Policy (GEP) — Standard Work Visa

The GEP is the most common work visa for expats with a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer. It requires the employer to demonstrate the role cannot be filled locally and that the applicant has special skills, knowledge, or experience of value to Hong Kong.

Employer-sponsored: company must apply on behalf of the employee through Immigration Department
No minimum salary requirement, but salary must be commensurate with market rates for the role
Processing time: 4–6 weeks for straightforward cases; longer for specialized roles
Initial visa: typically 2 years; renewal pattern: 2-3-3 years
Dependents: spouse and unmarried children under 18 can apply for dependent visas
Spouse of GEP holder can work in Hong Kong without a separate work visa

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) — Points-Based Immigration

The QMAS allows highly skilled individuals to settle in Hong Kong without a prior job offer. Applicants are assessed under a General Points Test covering age, academic qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and family background. The updated Talent List (March 2025) now covers 60 shortage professions.

No job offer required — applicants are assessed on their own merits via a points system
General Points Test: scored on age (max 30), qualifications (max 45), work experience (max 40), language proficiency (max 20), and family (max 20)
Minimum passing score: 80 points (out of 225 maximum)
Talent List advantage: applicants in one of 60 shortage professions (AI, fintech, data science, biomedical, maritime law, etc.) receive 30 bonus points
Initial visa: 2 years; renewal based on demonstrating settlement in Hong Kong
Annual quota: approximately 4,000–5,000 approvals per year

Investment Visa (CIES) & Permanent Residency

The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), relaunched in 2024, allows high-net-worth individuals to gain residence by investing HK$30 million+ in permissible Hong Kong assets. Permanent residency is available to all visa holders after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence.

CIES: minimum investment HK$30 million in permissible financial assets (stocks, bonds, funds) and HK$3 million in a new CIES Investment Portfolio
CIES eligibility: net assets of HK$30 million+ in the 2 years prior to application; mainland Chinese nationals are not eligible
Permanent Residency (Right of Abode): after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence on any valid visa
PR application is free and processed within 6–8 weeks; grants unconditional right to live and work
Once PR is obtained, no visa renewal needed; can leave and re-enter freely
Hong Kong PR holders can apply for an HKSAR passport — visa-free access to 170+ countries

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