Choose the route around talent, work or investment.

Country overview

Different routes reward different evidence.

Hong Kong offers several routes for high-calibre talent, experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and eligible graduates. They are not interchangeable. Some begin with the applicant's profile, some require a job or business, and others depend on a qualifying investment and asset history.

The plan should identify what creates eligibility, what must remain true after approval and how the family will establish a credible local life.

Opening a company does not automatically create residence.

An entrepreneur or self-employed case must demonstrate a credible business, applicant contribution and expected benefit under the current immigration framework.

Available routes

Compare the main Hong Kong pathways.

Talent profile

QMAS

A profile-led route for applicants meeting the current prerequisites and assessment framework. Achievements, education, experience and contribution must be evidenced coherently.

High-income or graduate talent

TTPS

A time-limited talent route for applicants within the current eligible categories. Category, evidence and renewal planning should be confirmed before relocation.

Professional employment

GEP / ASMTP

Employer-led professional routes requiring a genuine position, relevant applicant background, remuneration and a credible sponsoring business.

Business contribution

Entrepreneur route

For applicants able to demonstrate a viable business plan, resources, experience and expected contribution to Hong Kong's economy.

Qualifying investment

New CIES

An investment-based route with current net-asset, eligible-investment and portfolio-maintenance requirements that must be verified at application.

Hong Kong graduates

IANG

For eligible non-local graduates under the current graduate arrangements, with later extension depending on the applicable rules and local circumstances.

Route-by-route guide

Match the Hong Kong route to the applicant's real basis.

Hong Kong offers distinct talent, employment, entrepreneur, investment and graduate pathways. They are not interchangeable shortcuts. Some routes require a local job, some assess education or income, some examine a proposed business, and others are available only to applicants with a particular study or investment background.

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is a selection-based talent route that does not require a confirmed local job offer before application. Applicants must meet the prevailing prerequisites and qualify under the current assessment framework. Eligibility to submit does not guarantee selection or approval.

A complete file explains education, professional history, achievements, language ability, income and other relevant attributes with objective records. Employment letters, tax records, professional licences, awards, publications and evidence of senior responsibility may be relevant. The applicant should also present a credible plan for contributing to and establishing a life in Hong Kong.

Top Talent Pass Scheme

The Top Talent Pass Scheme targets applicants who meet current high-income or eligible-university criteria. The exact category determines the necessary income, degree, graduation-date and work-experience evidence. The university list and the timing of the applicant's degree must be checked under the rules in force at filing.

An initial job offer may not be required in every category, but extension depends on genuine Hong Kong development. Local employment, entrepreneurship or other qualifying economic activity should be documented from arrival rather than assembled only when renewal approaches.

General Employment Policy and ASMTP

Employment routes are built around a genuine vacancy, qualified applicant and sponsoring employer. The business, role, remuneration and reason for recruiting the applicant must be coherent. The applicant's education and experience should match the position, while the terms should be consistent with current policy and market conditions.

Corporate ownership does not remove the need to prove a real role. Related-party cases may require closer evidence of contracts, finances, premises, staffing, reporting lines and decision-making responsibilities. A change of employer or material role should be assessed before it occurs.

Entrepreneur entry for investment

The entrepreneur route focuses on whether the proposed business can make a substantial contribution to Hong Kong. Assessment may consider the business plan, financial resources, investment, local jobs, technology, intellectual property and the applicant's experience. Incorporation alone is not enough.

Preparation should cover ownership, source of investment funds, customers, suppliers, premises, staffing, licences and milestones. The applicant's managerial role must be genuine. Renewal depends on what the enterprise actually accomplished, not only what the original plan promised.

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

The New CIES is an investment route with current net-asset, permissible-investment, portfolio-maintenance and application requirements. It differs from the entrepreneur route because compliance with the qualifying investment framework is central.

Applicants should document ownership and source of assets, trace transferred funds, understand which assets and intermediaries qualify and maintain the required portfolio and reporting arrangements. Historic descriptions of the former scheme should not be treated as current guidance.

IANG for non-local graduates

IANG supports eligible graduates of qualifying Hong Kong programmes. Recent and returning graduates may face different conditions. Academic completion, application timing and proposed employment should be documented under the correct category.

The route can provide early career flexibility, but extension and permanent residence still depend on genuine Hong Kong activity and continuity. Education, employment, tax, accommodation and travel records should be retained from the beginning.

Dependants, extensions and permanent residence

Eligible principal applicants may sponsor qualifying dependants, subject to current relationship and support requirements. Civil documents, custody arrangements and family timing should be reviewed before submission.

Permanent residence involves continuous ordinary residence and a factual assessment of connection with Hong Kong. Employment, business, family home, tax, schooling, utilities, banking and reasons for absences can all help establish where the applicant's ordinary life is based.

Eligibility & evidence

Make the applicant and local plan tell one story.

Applicant

Build a reliable profile record.

Education, career and achievement evidence
Income, assets or investment records where relevant
Complete civil-status and dependant documents
Clear explanation of intended local activity

Sponsor or business

Prove the local basis.

Employer operations and genuine vacancy
Business plan, capital and commercial milestones
Ownership, control and financial capacity
Contracts, premises, staffing and contribution

Application process

Coordinate eligibility, filing and arrival.

Assess

Select the route

Compare the profile, sponsor, business, investment and family against current criteria.

Prepare

Build the evidence file

Organise identity, qualification, employment, business, financial and family records.

File

Submit through the correct channel

The applicant or sponsor files and manages any request for further information.

Activate

Complete entry and identity steps

Coordinate visa activation, arrival and local identity formalities as applicable.

Maintain

Track changes and renewal

Keep employment, business, investment and residence evidence current.

Family & continuity

Plan beyond initial approval.

Dependants require qualifying relationships and their own documentation. A spouse's work, children's schooling and the household's actual residence should be coordinated with the principal route.

Extension and longer-term residence depend on the route continuing to meet its conditions. Employment changes, a different business plan, investment movement or extended absence can alter the evidence required.

Permanent residence is a separate legal outcome.Keep records of ordinary residence, family life, work, business and reasons for absence from the start rather than reconstructing them years later.

Frequently asked questions

Questions before selecting a Hong Kong route.

Do all routes require a job offer?

No. Some routes are profile, business, investment or graduate based, while professional employment routes usually depend on a qualifying sponsor and role.

Can a founder sponsor themselves?

A founder or business owner may consider an entrepreneur or employment-based structure, but the business and applicant must satisfy the current route requirements.

Can family accompany the applicant?

Qualifying dependants may apply under relevant routes, subject to relationship evidence and current conditions.

Does approval guarantee permanent residence?

No. Permanent residence follows a separate legal assessment and residence history.