Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China vs Taiwan (Republic of China)
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
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Taiwan manages immigration through the National Immigration Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of the Interior, with work authorisation governed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and entry visas issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA). The headline routes for skilled foreigners are the Employment Gold Card, which bundles a visa, residence and open work permit for designated specialist fields, and the employer-sponsored work permit plus Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). After five years of continuous residence, many foreign professionals can apply for an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).
- Official portal
- National Immigration Agency (Taiwan)
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar
How Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan (Republic of China) differ
| Dimension | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China | Taiwan (Republic of China) |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 8 | 6 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 5 | 4 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 8 | 5 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | General Employment Policy (GEP) | Taiwan Employment Gold Card |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Chinese, English | Mandarin Chinese |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar | New Taiwan dollar |
| Primary regulator | Law Society | TBA |
| 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
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Taiwan Employment Gold Card
- Salary minimum
- —
- Government fees
- —
- Processing time
- —
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Routes unique to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Routes unique to Taiwan (Republic of China)
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.
Taiwan (Republic of China) (6)
Taiwan Employment Gold Card
No sponsor · To settlement · Valid for 1 to 3 years; renewable.
Work Permit for Specialized or Technical Work + ARC
Sponsor · To settlement · Work permit and resident visa run with the employment contract (which must have more than six months remaining at application); renewable.
Foreign Special Professional Work Permit
Sponsor · To settlement · Employment permit of up to five years for designated foreign professionals; renewable.
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Initial residence of 2 years; extensions of up to 2 years each subject to continuing to meet the qualification directions.
Visitor Visa for Employment-Seeking Purpose
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Short-stay visitor visa for job-seeking; the holder must convert to a work-permit-based resident visa to stay and work.
Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC)
No sponsor · To settlement · Permanent, subject to maintaining the rolling presence requirement; re-entry and the certificate are maintained per NIA rules.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China or Taiwan (Republic of China)?+
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China’s General Employment Policy (GEP) is the dominant skilled route; Taiwan (Republic of China)’s Taiwan Employment Gold Card 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 Taiwan (Republic of China) 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 4 for Taiwan (Republic of China). 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.