Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visas
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.
8 routes · 5 without a sponsor · 8 lead to settlement
Official portal
Regulators of immigration advice
- The Law Society of Hong Kong (Law Society) — Statutory body regulating the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers in Hong Kong, including those who provide immigration advice.
Visa routes (8)
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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
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 sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
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 sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
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 sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs
Route under the General Employment Policy for people establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong as entrepreneurs.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
Investment-migration route relaunched in 2024 for people who place a substantial sum in permissible Hong Kong assets.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 12 July 2026
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Route for spouses, civil partners, dependent children and (for permanent-resident sponsors) elderly parents to reside in Hong Kong.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China have?+
We cover 8 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, skilled migration, unsponsored work, entrepreneur, investor, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
5 of the 8 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visas lead to permanent residence?+
8 of the 8 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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