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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · work unsponsored · Leads to settlement

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions (and eligible Greater Bay Area campuses) to stay and work after graduation.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyInitial stay of 24 months on time limitation only; renewable subject to meeting the criteria.
Processing time
The Immigration Department indicates processing of around four weeks for a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page.
Government fees
A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page.
Typical duration
Initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only; renewable subject to meeting the criteria.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is an unsponsored Hong Kong immigration route. Sources: official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/hong-kong/immigration-arrangements-non-local-graduates#answer

What is the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is an unsponsored Hong Kong route. Indicative government fees are A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page; indicative processing time is The Immigration Department indicates processing of around four weeks for a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page; typical duration is Initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only; renewable subject to meeting the criteria. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates allow non-local people who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time, locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong to remain and work. The arrangement has been extended to graduates of Greater Bay Area campuses of Hong Kong institutions. Recent graduates applying within the stated window do not need a job offer; later applicants generally need confirmed employment. The pass is granted on time limitation only without other conditions of stay.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm whether you are a recent graduate (no job offer needed) or a non-recent graduate (offer required).

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather your graduation certificate, transcript and, if applicable, employment documents.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the IANG application to the Immigration Department.

  4. After approval

    After approval, take up or seek employment and renew toward seven-year residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Hong Kong

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Hong Kong. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG).

    Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Do IANG holders need a job offer?+

It depends on timing. Non-local recent graduates who apply within the stated window after graduation do not need a confirmed job offer. Non-recent graduates generally must secure a genuine, confirmed offer of employment relevant to their qualification before applying.

Does IANG cover Greater Bay Area campus graduates?+

Yes. The arrangement has been extended to cover graduates of Greater Bay Area campuses established by Hong Kong institutions, alongside graduates who studied in Hong Kong itself. Check the official page for the current list of eligible programmes and any nationality-specific conditions.

How long is the initial IANG visa valid for after I graduate?+

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates grant an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only, renewable subject to meeting the criteria. Confirm current arrangements on the official Immigration Department page.

Can I apply for IANG if I studied a part-time or non-locally-accredited programme?+

No. IANG requires an undergraduate or higher qualification obtained in a full-time, locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong (or from an eligible Greater Bay Area campus). A qualification from a part-time or non-locally-accredited programme is a common blocker.

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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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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