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

Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 14 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Fast-track scheme for eligible technology companies to admit non-local R&D talent against a quota allotted by the Innovation and Technology Commission.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyEmployment-based stay aligned with the company quota and the applicant contract; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
Processing time
Quota approval is handled by the Innovation and Technology Commission; the Immigration Department then processes the visa/entry permit 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
Employment-based stay aligned with the company quota and the applicant contract; renewable subject to continued eligibility.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is a sponsor-led 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/technology-talent-admission-scheme#answer

What is the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?

Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) is a sponsor-led 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 Quota approval is handled by the Innovation and Technology Commission; the Immigration Department then processes the visa/entry permit application. Confirm current timing on the official page; typical duration is Employment-based stay aligned with the company quota and the applicant contract; renewable subject to continued eligibility. This route can lead to permanent residence.

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

Overview

The Technology Talent Admission Scheme provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to bring in non-local technology talent for research and development work in Hong Kong. The employing company applies to the Innovation and Technology Commission for a quota, and within the quota validity period it can sponsor eligible STEM degree-holders to apply for an employment visa or entry permit. Applicants must be engaged principally in R&D in a recognised technology area such as AI, biotechnology, fintech or cybersecurity.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the employing company holds, or is applying for, an ITC quota under TechTAS.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Prepare your STEM degree evidence and the R&D employment contract.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    The company sponsors and you submit the employment visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department.

  4. After approval

    After approval, begin R&D employment and track residence toward the seven-year threshold.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS), 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. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  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 Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) 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 + sponsor
    Use official Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS).

    Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

How does the TechTAS quota work?+

The employing company applies to the Innovation and Technology Commission for a quota. Once a quota is allotted, the company can sponsor eligible non-local technology talent to apply to the Immigration Department for an employment visa or entry permit within the quota validity period.

What qualifications does TechTAS require?+

Applicants normally need a STEM degree from a well-recognised university, typically among the top 100 for the relevant subject on recognised ranking tables. Master and doctoral holders generally do not need prior work experience, while bachelor-level holders usually need a minimum of one year of relevant experience.

Can I apply for TechTAS myself if I don't have a Hong Kong employer?+

No. TechTAS is an employer-sponsored route: the employing company must hold a valid quota allotted by the Innovation and Technology Commission and then sponsor you to apply for an employment visa or entry permit. Without a quota-holding company employing you in an eligible R&D role, you cannot use this scheme.

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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