Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China vs Republic of Korea
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Hong Kong's Immigration Department runs a suite of talent and employment admission schemes rather than a single points-based system. The headline routes are the General Employment Policy (GEP) for sponsored professionals, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) and Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) for talent without a prior job offer, and the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG). Most schemes are residence tracks: seven years of continuous ordinary residence can lead to the right of abode.
- Official portal
- Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR)
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar
Republic of Korea
South Korea's immigration is administered by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice. The system uses letter-coded visa categories: E-series for employment (E-7 designated activities, E-2 teaching), D-series for study and investment (D-8 corporate investment, D-10 job-seeking), and F-series for residence (F-2 points-based, F-5 permanent residence). Korea introduced a points-based F-2-7 system to attract skilled foreign professionals.
- Official portal
- Korea Immigration Service
- Languages
- Korean
- Currency
- South Korean won
How Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and Republic of Korea differ
| Dimension | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China | Republic of Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 8 | 5 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 3 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 8 | 3 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | General Employment Policy (GEP) | E-7 Designated Activities Visa |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Chinese, English | Korean |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar | South Korean won |
| Primary regulator | Law Society | KBA |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
General Employment Policy (GEP)
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Republic of Korea
E-7 Designated Activities Visa
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- Yes
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Routes unique to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Routes unique to Republic of Korea
Visa routes side by side
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (8)
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment conditions; extensions typically follow a 3+3+2-year pattern.
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months under the General Points Test (or a longer initial period for Achievement-based applicants); renewable.
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C); renewable on meeting the criteria.
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only; renewable subject to meeting the criteria.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Sponsor · To settlement · Employment-based stay aligned with the company quota and the applicant contract; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment (business) conditions; extensions follow the standard pattern.
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial stay granted under the scheme, renewable while the investment and asset requirements continue to be met.
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Sponsor · To settlement · Stay normally aligned with the sponsor permitted period of stay; renewable alongside the sponsor.
Republic of Korea (5)
E-7 Designated Activities Visa
Sponsor · To settlement · 1–3 years; renewable.
F-2-7 Points-Based Long-Term Residence
No sponsor · To settlement · 3 years; renewable.
D-8 Corporate Investment Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · 1–2 years; renewable as long as the business operates.
Student Visa (D-2)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Duration of programme; renewed annually.
F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Tied to the sponsoring family member's visa status.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China or Republic of Korea?+
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China’s General Employment Policy (GEP) is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Korea’s E-7 Designated Activities Visa is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China or Republic of Korea have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has more: 5 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 3 for Republic of Korea. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.