Interested in relocating or migration to Hong Kong? Here are some pathways

    1. New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (NCIES)
    2. Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
    3. 3. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
    4. 4. Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)
    5. Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
    6. Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
    7. Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
    8. General Employment Policy (GEP)
    9. Investment as Entrepreneurs
    10. Dependents Visa (Suitable for spouse and minor children)
    11. Training Visa

After residing in Hong Kong for a continuous period of 7 years through a visa, upon providing the required documentation, you can apply for Hong Kong permanent residency!

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Applicable: Foreign nationals, Chinese nationals who have obtained foreign permanent resident status, etc.

3. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.

4. Total investment amount: HK$30 million

5. Financial requirements: Two years prior to the application, the applicant must be shown to have a personal net worth of not less than HK$30 million

6. Investment requirements:

(a) HK$27 million of which is invested in stocks, funds, bonds and real estate, etc
(b) Among the HK$27 million, only a maximum of HK$10 million could be invested in non-residential real estate;
(c) The remaining HK$3 million must be invested in technology innovation and other key industries.

 

Advantages of the Scheme

1. Approved applicants can bring along their dependents (including their spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents);

2. Generally, a person is not allowed to stay in Hong Kong for more than 2 years. After the expiration of the 2 years, he or she can apply for extension of stay for no more than 3 years. Following the expiration of the extended 3 years period, he or she can apply for an extension every 3 years thereafter (“2+3+3”).

3. Subsequently, he or she can apply for an extension of stay for no more than three years at the expiration of each three-year period ( “2+3+3”)

4. If the applicant and his dependents have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously for not less than a period of 7 years, in accordance with the law, such parties may apply to become Hong Kong permanent residents

5. If the applicant fails to meet the requirements for continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, but has continuously met the financial requirements of the Scheme for not less than 7 years, he or she may apply for unconditional stay in Hong Kong. Upon the approval of the application, the applicant can freely dispose such investment assets.

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.

3. Category A: 1 year prior to application, annual salary of HK$2.5 million or above;

4. Category B: 5 years prior to application, graduates from world’s top 100 universities, with at least 3 years of work experience within the 5 years before application; or

5. Category C: 5 years prior to application, graduates from the world’s top 100 universities, with less than 3 years of work experience (subject to annual quota)

 

Advantages of the Scheme

1. Fast approval and approves a high volume of applications;

2. Does not need to be employed in Hong Kong;

3. Provided that the applicant meets the conditions, the applicant can work in any industries and does not require any professional qualifications;

4. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study;

5. The applicant and the dependents (what about spouse + unmarried children?) are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

3. Financial requirements: The applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself or herself and his or her dependents, if any, on his/her own financial resources without relying on public assistance during his/her stay in Hong Kong.

4. Language skills: The applicant should be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

5. Basic educational qualification: The applicant must have a good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or a tertiary educational institution. In special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

6. Two application methods

(a.) General Points Test: Scoring is based on six major categories: age, education, work experience, talent list, language ability and family background. The minimum passing score is 80 points. The applicant may then obtain a one-off 2 years residence visa. Afterwards, if the applicant met the requirements of living in Hong Kong and making the relevant contributions, the applicant can apply for a renewal after 2 years. The 8-year residence visa is renewed in the form of 2+3+3. In the 7th year, the applicant can apply for permanent residence.

(b.) Achievement-based System: The applicant must show to have won international awards to be recognized by industry peers to have made significant contribution in the development in the relevant industry. The applicant may then obtain a one-off 8 years residence. If the applicant met the stated requirements, in the 7th year, the applicant can apply for permanent residence.

 

Advantages of the scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study;

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

3. If the applicant meet the industries in the talent list, the applicant will obtain an additional 30 points and have a higher chance of success.

4. No employer sponsorship is required

5. Annual quotas will be canceled starting from 1 January 2023 for a period of two years

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

3. Financial requirements: The applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself or herself and his or her dependents, if any, on his or her own financial resources without relying on public assistance during his/her stay in Hong Kong.

4. Language skills: The applicant should be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

5. Basic educational qualification: The applicant must have a good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or a tertiary educational institution. In special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

6. There is a genuine job vacancy; the job has to be related to the applicant’s academic qualifications or previous work experience

7. The applicant must actually be employed and the job position must be related to his or her academic qualifications or work experience. It must be further shown that the job cannot be easily taken up by locals.

8. Remuneration and benefits (including income, housing, medical care and other fringe benefits) must be broadly consistent with the prevailing market remuneration and benefits for Hong Kong professionals.
Advantages of the scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

3. No industry restrictions

4. No grading system

5. The applicant can legally earn an income in Hong Kong

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

3. Basic academic qualifications: The applicant must hold a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (“STEM”) disciplines in a university ranked top 100 for STEM-related subjects.

4. The hiring company must has obtained a valid quota approved by the Innovation and Technology Commission

5. The applicant who is hired by the company is an approved full-time employee in Hong Kong

6. The applicant is mainly engaged in advanced communication technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, network security, data analysis, digital entertainment, financial technology, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet of Things, materials science, microelectronics, quantum technology or robotics technology R&D work in the scope

7. The applicant’s salary could not be lower than the current market salary level for similar positions in the Hong Kong

8. The applicant must meet the specific conditions for the relevant positions specified in the quota notification issued by the Innovation and Technology Commission

 

Advantages of the scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

3. No industry restrictions

4. No grading system

5. The applicant can legally earn an income in Hong Kong and develop his or her science and technology career

Prerequisites

1.  Non-local graduates

(a.) Obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher qualifications from full-time locally accredited courses in Hong Kong

(b.) The applicant must submit his or her employment application in Hong Kong within six months from the date of graduation (i.e., the date stated on the graduation certificate)

 

2.  Non-local recent graduate

(a.) The applicant must submit his or her employment application in Hong Kong within six months from the date of graduation

(b.) If the applicant intends to apply for job in Hong Kong, at the time of application he or she does not need to be employed

(c.) For applicants who has met the general immigration requirements can stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without being restricted by other conditions of stay.

(d.) For non-local recent graduates who intend to apply to work in Hong Kong but have not yet obtained a graduation certificate can apply for an extension of stay to wait for the announcement of results

 

3. Non-local non-recent graduate

(a.) Should the applicant intends to return to Hong Kong to work, at the time of making the application he or she must be employed

(b.) The job must be one that is usually held by individuals who holds a degree, and the salary and benefits conditions must be at market level

(c.) For applicants who has met the general immigration requirements can stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without being restricted by other conditions of stay.

 

4. GBA campus graduate

(a.) The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification provided by a higher education institution that is established in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in accordance with the “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Sino-foreign Cooperative Education”

(b.) The applicant must submit his or her employment application in Hong Kong within six months from the date of graduation

(c.) If the applicant intends to apply for job in Hong Kong, at the time of application he or she does not need to be employed

(d.) For applicants who has met the general immigration requirements can stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without being restricted by other conditions of stay.

(e.) If the applicant intend to apply to work in Hong Kong but have not yet obtained a graduation certificate can apply for an extension of stay to wait for the announcement of results

 

5. Non-local recent GBA campus graduate

(a.) Should the applicant intends to work in Hong Kong, at the time of making the application he or she must be employed

(b.) The job must be one that is usually held by individuals who holds a degree, and the salary and benefits conditions must be at market level

(c.) For applicants who has met the general immigration requirements can stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without being restricted by other conditions of stay.

 

Advantages of the Scheme

1. The scheme covers non-local graduates from universities in Hong Kong and at the Greater Bay Area

2. Non-local recent graduates do not require employer sponsorship

Pre-requisites

1. Age: 18-40

2. The applicant must be born overseas (i.e., outside of Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan)

3. At least one parent of the applicant must hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card and is a Chinese national who at the time of the applicant’s birth has settled down overseas.

4. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

5. Basic educational qualification: The applicant must have a good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or a tertiary educational institution. In special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

6. Language skills: The applicant should be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

7. Financial requirements: The applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself or herself and his or her dependents, if any, on his/her own financial resources without relying on public assistance during his/her stay in Hong Kong.

 

Advantages of the scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

3. The applicant does not require employer sponsorship

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

3. Basic educational qualification: The applicant must have a good education background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or a tertiary educational institution. In special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

4. There is a genuine job vacancy; the job has to be related to the applicant’s academic qualifications or previous work experience

5. 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

6. The remuneration package including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong

7. Overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China passports who meet the criteria stipulated above and normal immigration requirements may apply to enter Hong Kong for employment under the GEP if:

(a.) the applicant has permanent residence overseas; or

(b.) the applicant has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of application [“overseas” means countries or territories outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan] and that the application is submitted from overseas.

 

Advantages of the Scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

3. No industry restrictions

4. No grading system

5. The applicant can legally earn an income in Hong Kong

Prerequisites

1. Age: 18 or above

2. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

3. Basic educational qualification: 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

4. The applicant is in a position to make substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy, 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.

5. Applicants who wants to start or participate in a start-up in Hong Kong is also eligible to apply for the scheme

6. Overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China passports who meet the criteria stipulated above and normal immigration requirements may apply to enter Hong Kong for employment under the GEP if:

(a.) the applicant has permanent residence overseas; or

(b.) the applicant has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of application [“overseas” means countries or territories outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan] and that the application is submitted from overseas.

 

Advantages of the Scheme

1. The applicant’s spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18 and dependents can come and stay in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions as to the spouse’s line of work and children can come to Hong Kong to study

2. The applicant and the dependents are given Hong Kong resident identity cards and may enjoy the same medical, education and other benefits as locals.

Prerequisites

1. For a sponsor who has been admitted into Hong Kong to take up employment (as a professional, for investment to establish/join in business, or for training) or studies (in a full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programme in a local degree-awarding institution), or who is permitted to remain in Hong Kong as an entrant under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, the Top Talent Pass Scheme or the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the following dependents may apply to join him/her for residence in Hong Kong:

(a.) His or her spouse; or

(b.) 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 recognized by the local authorities of the place of celebration; and

(c.) his/her unmarried dependent child under the age of 18;

2. For a sponsor who is a Hong Kong permanent resident or a resident who is not subject to a limit of stay (i.e. a resident with the right to land or on unconditional stay), the following dependents may apply to join him/her for residence in Hong Kong:

(a.) His or her spouse; or

(b.) 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 recognized by the local authorities of the place of celebration;

(c.) his or her unmarried dependent children under the age of 18; and

(d.) his or her parent aged 60 or above.

3. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

4. There is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the applicant and the sponsor;

5. he sponsor is able to support the dependent’s living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in Hong Kong.

Prerequisites

An application for a visa/entry permit to enter Hong Kong for a limited period (not more than 12 months) of training to acquire special skills and knowledge not available in the applicant’s country/territory of domicile may be favorably considered if:

1. Good character: The applicant should not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere

2. There is no doubt about the applicant’s true purpose of coming to Hong Kong, and the sponsoring company will actually provide training to the applicant.

3. The sponsoring company is a well-established company, capable of providing the proposed training

4. there is a contract signed between the sponsoring company and the applicant;

5. The sponsoring company guarantees in writing the maintenance and repatriation of the applicant and that the applicant will receive training in the sponsor’s premises until the end of the agreed period, after which the applicant will return to his/her place of residence; and

6. The proposed duration and content of the training programme can be justified.