Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · work unsponsored · Leads to settlement
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 9 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Talent route for high earners and graduates of top-ranked universities to enter Hong Kong without a prior job offer.
- Processing time
- The Immigration Department indicates processing of about 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 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C); renewable on meeting the criteria.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) 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/top-talent-pass-scheme#answer
What is the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) 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 about four weeks for a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page; typical duration is Initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C); renewable on meeting the criteria. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Top Talent Pass Scheme admits high-income earners and graduates of the world's top universities to explore opportunities in Hong Kong without first securing employment. It has three categories: Category A for those who earned a high annual income in the preceding year, and Categories B and C for degree-holders from eligible top-ranked universities, differentiated by years of work experience. Categories B and C carry conditions and, for recent graduates, an annual quota. The pass is granted on time limitation only without other conditions of stay.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Category A: a high annual income in the year immediately preceding the application, as defined by the Immigration Department.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓Categories B and C: a degree from a university on the eligible list of top-ranked universities.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓Category B: at least three years of work experience over the past five years; Category C: less than three years, subject to an annual quota.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓No security objection and no known record of serious crime.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Common blockers
- !Income below the Category A threshold and no eligible top-university degree.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !A degree from a university not on the eligible list.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !For recent graduates, the annual quota for Category C being exhausted.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·For Category A: income evidence such as tax records or audited financial statements for the preceding year.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·For Categories B and C: degree certificate from an eligible top-ranked university.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Employment records evidencing the required years of work experience where applicable.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Identify which category (A, B or C) you qualify under based on income, degree and experience.
Build the evidence pack
Gather income or degree evidence and confirm your university is on the eligible list.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the TTPS application to the Immigration Department.
After approval
After approval, relocate, seek or take up work, and renew toward seven-year residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS).
Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified
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Related routes
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.
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.
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.
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Route for spouses, civil partners, dependent children and (for permanent-resident sponsors) elderly parents to reside in Hong Kong.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer for the Top Talent Pass Scheme?+
No. TTPS applicants are not required to have secured an offer of employment before applying. The pass is granted on time limitation only, so you are free to take up, change or seek employment in Hong Kong once admitted.
Which universities qualify under Categories B and C?+
Categories B and C require a degree from a university on the Immigration Department's eligible list of top-ranked universities, which it compiles from recognised global ranking tables. Check the current eligible-university list on the official scheme page, as it is updated from time to time.
How long can I stay in Hong Kong on the Top Talent Pass?+
The initial stay is 36 months under Category A (high-income earners) and 24 months under Categories B and C (degree-holders from top-ranked universities). Each is renewable on meeting the criteria.
Is there a quota or cap on the Top Talent Pass Scheme?+
An annual quota applies only to Category C, which covers recent graduates with less than three years of work experience over the past five years. Category A (high earners) and Category B (degree-holders with at least three years of experience) are not stated to be subject to that quota.
How long does the Top Talent Pass Scheme take to process?+
The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about four weeks to process a complete TTPS application. Confirm current timing on the official scheme page before you rely on it.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Hong KongHow 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