Iranian citizens moving to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Iranian nationals typically move to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 8 Hong Kong routes — 5 can be started without a job offer, and 8 lead to permanent residence.
Tourist entry
No. Iranian nationals require a visa to enter Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
No nationality-specific treaty routes apply.
Consular processing: a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
What this means for Iranian citizens
Of the 8 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China routes we cover, 5 can be started without an employer sponsor and 8 can lead to permanent residence. Expect a language test or qualification-recognition step, since language alignment is only partial.
All Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China routes open to Iranian applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Hong Kong's main employer-sponsored route for non-local professionals with a confirmed job offer that cannot be readily filled locally.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
Points-based talent route for highly skilled or talented people to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a job offer.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
Talent route for high earners and graduates of top-ranked universities to enter Hong Kong without a prior job offer.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
Route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions (and eligible Greater Bay Area campuses) to stay and work after graduation.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Fast-track scheme for eligible technology companies to admit non-local R&D talent against a quota allotted by the Innovation and Technology Commission.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs
Route under the General Employment Policy for people establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong as entrepreneurs.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
Investment-migration route relaunched in 2024 for people who place a substantial sum in permissible Hong Kong assets.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Route for spouses, civil partners, dependent children and (for permanent-resident sponsors) elderly parents to reside in Hong Kong.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Frequently asked questions
Can Iranian citizens enter Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China without a visa?+
No. Iranian nationals require a visa to enter Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visa routes are best suited to Iranian applicants?+
Iranian nationals typically move to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Iranian applicants typically apply for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Iranian citizens need a job offer to move to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?+
Not necessarily. 5 of the 8 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Iranian citizens get permanent residence in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?+
Yes. 8 of the 8 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China routes we cover lead toward settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.