Top Talent Pass Scheme

Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is an immigration arrangement targeting high-income earners and graduates of the world's top universities. Launched in December 2022, it is administered by the Immigration Department under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). No prior job offer is required, and holders are free to take up employment, change jobs, or establish businesses without seeking Immigration Department approval.

• Category A: Persons with annual income of HK$2.5 million or above in the preceding year (salary, allowances, stock options, and profits from self-owned companies; personal investment income excluded)
• Category B: Graduates of eligible universities with at least 3 years' work experience in the preceding 5 years
• Category C: Graduates of eligible universities within the past 5 years with less than 3 years' work experience (annual quota of 10,000, first-come first-served)

The list comprises the top 100 universities from four major global rankings (Times Higher Education, QS, U.S. News, Shanghai Jiao Tong), plus top hospitality/leisure management programs, top Mainland universities, and top art and design institutions. The list was expanded to 200 universities effective 1 January 2026. Only full-time bachelor's degrees qualify; online, distance learning, part-time, and honorary degrees are ineligible.

• Must meet one of the three category criteria
• No criminal record and no adverse immigration record
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea are excluded
• Category C excludes non-local students who completed undergraduate programs in Hong Kong

• Application fee: HK$600 (non-refundable)
• Visa issuance fee: HK$1,300 for stays exceeding 180 days; HK$600 for 180 days or less

Category A receives 36 months' initial stay; Categories B and C receive 24 months. Extensions of up to 3 years are available upon demonstrating stable employment at degree-holder income level or economic contribution through a business. A top-tier employment stream offers a 6-year extension after 2+ years of TTPS residence with assessable salaries tax income of HK$2 million or above. Extension applications may be submitted up to 3 months before visa expiry. From 30 January 2026, all extension applicants must complete the mandatory "Exclusive Survey for Top Talent Pass Holders" (administered by Hong Kong Talent Engage) and attach the acknowledgement receipt to their application; omitting the receipt renders the application incomplete.

Spouses or civil partners (including same-sex partnerships recognized in the jurisdiction of celebration) and up to 8 unmarried dependent children under 18 may be included. Dependants may work or study without separate approval. The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to support dependants at a standard well above subsistence level.

After 7 continuous years of ordinary residence in Hong Kong, holders may apply for the right of abode (permanent residency). Extended absences may affect eligibility.

Hong Kong's territorial tax system means only Hong Kong-sourced employment income is subject to salaries tax at progressive rates of 2% to 17%, or a standard rate of 15% on the first HK$5 million and 16% above that. No worldwide income tax, no capital gains tax, and no VAT/GST.

Applications are submitted online through the GovHK portal or the ImmD Mobile App. Up to 9 persons (applicant plus dependants) may be grouped in one application. Processing takes approximately 4 weeks. Upon approval, an e-Visa is issued in digital format.

The TTPS is granted once only; persons who leave Hong Kong after their stay expires cannot reapply under the scheme. Third-party credential verification is required for Categories B and C. Joint program degrees require all awarding institutions to be on the eligible university list.

The eligible university list was expanded to 200 institutions effective 1 January 2026. A mandatory online survey for extension applicants was introduced on 30 January 2026. From 1 March 2026, the 3-month advance extension window previously unique to TTPS was extended to QMAS and other talent admission schemes, aligning all major talent routes.