This webpage sets out the entry arrangements for persons who wish to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (hereafter “TTPS”).
The TTPS seeks to attract top talents with rich work experience and good academic qualifications from all over the world to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. These top talents include high-income talents and graduates from the world’s top universities.
The TTPS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.
Persons who wish to apply to enter the HKSAR under the TTPS are not required to have secured an offer of employment in the HKSAR upon application. They may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met. Applicants may choose to apply for the TTPS under one of the categories as listed in paragraphs (a) to (c) below:
An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR under the TTPS may be favourably considered if:
Successful TTPS applicant will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without other conditions of stay. Each applicant can only be granted such initial stay once.
Overseas Chinese nationals holding People's Republic of China (PRC) passports who meet the eligibility criteria stipulated above and normal immigration requirements may apply to enter the HKSAR for employment under the TTPS if:
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to work in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.
Note 1:
Annual income means taxable employment or business income including salary, allowances, stock options and profits from self-owned companies. Income generated from personal investment will not be taken into consideration.
Note 2:
The level of academic qualifications of applicants obtained from the world’s top 100 universities must be equivalent to the recognised Hong Kong standard of bachelor’s degrees. For the avoidance of doubt, honourary bachelor’s degrees will not be accepted.
Note 3:
The world’s top 100 universities refer to those universities/institutions on the aggregate list of world’s top 100 universities (hereafter “the aggregate list”), which is compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The aggregate list is based on the top 100 universities/institutions in four designated world university rankings in the past 5 years, namely Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities. For the avoidance of doubt, the academic qualifications obtained from the continuing and professional education arms, the branch schools, the extension schools or the subsidiary schools, etc., established by the world’s top 100 universities will not be accepted. For the latest aggregate list, please click here.
Note 4:
The relevant work experience shall be accumulated from full-time employment, or else self-employment, after graduation.
Note 5:
Graduation in the past five years is counted by “year of graduation”.
Note 6:
Non-local students refer to persons entering the HKSAR for the purpose of education with a student visa / entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration.
Persons admitted or seeking admission under the TTPS may apply, under their sponsorship, to bring their spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union outside Hong Kong with an eligible sponsor in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebrationNote 7 and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Persons admitted or applying for admission under the respective arrangements will be the sponsors of their accompanying dependants to the HKSAR. An application for admission of a dependant may be favourably considered if normal immigration requirements and the following criteria are met:
This entry arrangement does not apply to:
The length of stay of such dependants will normally be linked to that of their sponsors. Any subsequent applications for extension of stay will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependants (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR. These dependants are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in the HKSAR under the existing policy.
Note 7:
For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “civil partnership” and “civil union” above mean a legal institution of a nature which is akin to spousal relationship in a marriage. The same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership and opposite-sex civil union entered into in accordance with laws outside Hong Kong are limited to only relationships which are legally and officially recognised in the places of celebration. Such relationships normally have the following features: (a) the entering into and dissolution of the relationship are governed by legislation of the place where it is entered into; (b) the relationship requires registration by the competent authority specified by the legislation of the place where it is entered into; (c) the registration is evidenced in a written instrument issued by the competent authority; and (d) parties to the relationship have a mutual commitment to a shared life akin to spouses to the exclusion of others on a permanent basis. Such relationships do not include de facto spouse, partners in cohabitation, fiancé/fiancée, etc.
It normally takes four weeks to process visa/entry permit applications under the TTPS upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received.
All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.
A. |
Documents to be Uploaded by the Applicant for Entry Application |
Documents Required (in softcopy) | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | |||
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Category A | Category B | Category C | ||
The applicant’s recent photograph | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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The applicant’s valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). For an applicant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, his/her valid travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label/“e-Visa” (if applicable) in the HKSAR. A Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued with a travel document may upload his/her PRC resident identity card. | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card (if any) | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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Official transcript of academic records, graduation certificate or supporting letter from the degree awarding institution showing the applicant’s attainment of a bachelor’s degree at any eligible universities/tertiary institutions which are listed on the aggregate list of the world’s top 100 universities | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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Documentary proof of the applicant’s work experience | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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Documentary proof of the applicant having annual income of HK$2.5 million or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous assessment year issued by a local competent authority (e.g. taxation office or revenue department etc.), documentary proof issued by the applicant’s employing company specifying the value of the stock options granted to the applicant, documentary proof of financial standing of the applicant’s self-owned companies (e.g. the latest audited financial report, trading profit and loss account, or profit tax return, etc.) (if applicable) | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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Letter of consent from the applicant’s present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities (Annex of the Guidebook for TTPS) [for Mainland residents only] | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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The applicant’s Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only] | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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The applicant’s household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only] | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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Proof of the applicant’s overseas residence, such as official documents showing the applicant’s conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only] | TTPS applicants applying for an entry visa / entry permit under | ![]() |
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B. |
Documents to be Uploaded by Each Accompanying Dependant of an Applicant for Entry under the TTPS |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The dependant’s recent photograph |
The dependant’s valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). For a dependant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, his/her travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label/“e-Visa” (if applicable) in the HKSAR. A Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued with a travel document may upload his/her PRC resident identity card. |
Evidence of the applicant’s relationship with the dependant e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, family photographs, family letters (with envelopes), census record book and Privilege Card for Single Child (if applicable) |
The dependant’s Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only] |
The dependant’s household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only] |
Proof of the dependant’s overseas residence, such as official documents showing the dependant’s conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only] |
C. |
Forms and Documents to be Uploaded by the Applicant for Extension of Stay Application |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document showing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/“e-Visa” (if applicable) in the HKSAR |
The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card |
Supporting documents listed in Part (D) below [for first time extension of stay application or subsequent extension of stay application with change of employment] |
Supporting letter from the current employing company stating the applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment [for subsequent extension of stay application without change of employment] |
Documentary proof of the applicant having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents [only applicable to those who apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream] |
D. |
Documents to be Uploaded by Employing Company (for Applicant’s First Time Application for Extension of Stay and Subsequent Application for Extension of Stay with Change of Employment) |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The company’s employment contract with or letter of appointment to the applicant containing information about post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period |
Business Registration Certificate^ |
Proof of financial standing (e.g. the latest audited financial report, trading profit and loss account, or profit tax return)^ |
Documents with details of company background such as business activities, mode of operation, background/ connection of company, product ranges, sources and markets, membership of chamber of commerce (if any), etc. (supported with catalogues, brochures, etc.) ^ |
Detailed business plan (e.g. information on source of funds, estimated capital injection, nature/mode of business activities, expected turnover, sales volume, gross and net profit in the coming years, and proposed creation of local job posts, etc.) [for companies newly set up within 12 months only]^ |
^ Submission of the documents is not required if the employing company is listed on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, or has successfully obtained an employment or training visa/entry permit for a non-local staff in the past 24 months immediately before submission of the application.
Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.
Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa/entry permit application, field visits may be conducted. A person who knowingly and willfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.
Persons who wish to apply to enter the HKSAR under TTPS may click here for online submission of application and uploading of supporting documents.
It normally takes four weeks to process visa/entry permit applications under the TTPS upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received.
All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.
Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees can be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the Immigration Department Mobile Application by credit card, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire their application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.
Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees can be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the Immigration Department Mobile Application by credit card, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
A visa/entry permit (in the form of “e-Visa”) will be issued upon successful application and payment of fees.
Mainland residentsSuccessful applicant should obtain an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement from the relevant Mainland authorities. Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, the applicant holding an EEP bearing the relevant exit endorsement should also present the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.
Overseas Chinese nationalsIf the applicant is an overseas Chinese national holding a PRC passport, he/she should present his/her valid PRC passport and “e-Visa” for immigration examination upon arrival in the HKSAR (only applicable to overseas Chinese who have obtained overseas permanent residence; or have been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of an application and the application is submitted from overseas).
Non-Mainland residentsUpon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, the applicant should present his/her valid travel document and the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.
Persons admitted under the TTPS will normally be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without other conditions of stay upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR online within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Upon applying for extension, they are required to have secured an offer of employment which is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders or persons with good professional/technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence, and the remuneration package is at market level. For those who have established or joined in business in the HKSAR, they are required to produce proof of their business. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain on time limitation only without other conditions of stay on the 3-3 year pattern.
Persons admitted under the TTPS who meet the criteria stipulated in the above paragraph and fulfil the following criteria at the time of application for extension of stay may apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream:
Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay for a period of six years.
Note 1:
Applicants should provide documentary proof of having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents.
Persons admitted under the TTPS, who are on time limitation only without other conditions of stay, are free to take up and change employment or to establish or join in business in the HKSAR during their permitted stay without the need to seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration.
Non-permanent residents of the HKSAR (including persons admitted under the TTPS and their dependants), irrespective of their nationality and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within the currency of their permitted limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.
Persons admitted under TTPS who have ordinarily resided in the HKSAR for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.
This webpage sets out information about extension of stay of entrants admitted under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (hereafter “TTPS”).
Entrants admitted under the TTPS may apply for extension of stay within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. More information on eligibility criteria can be found here.
Routine application will normally be finalized within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
A. |
Forms and Documents to be Uploaded by the Applicant for Extension of Stay Application |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document showing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/“e-Visa” (if applicable) in the HKSAR |
The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document showing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/“e-Visa” (if applicable) in the HKSAR |
The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card |
Supporting documents listed in Part (B) below [for first time extension of stay application or subsequent extension of stay application with change of employment] |
Supporting letter from the current employer stating the applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment [for subsequent extension of stay application without change of employment] |
Documentary proof of the applicant having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents [only applicable to those who apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream] |
B. |
Documents to be Uploaded by Employing Company (for Applicant’s First Time Application for Extension of Stay and Subsequent Application for Extension of Stay with Change of Employment) |
Documents Required (in softcopy) |
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The company’s employment contract with or letter of appointment to the applicant containing information about post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period |
Business Registration Certificate^ |
Proof of financial standing (e.g. latest audited financial report, trading profit and loss account, or profit tax return)^ |
Documents with details of company background such as business activities, mode of operation, background/ connection of company, product ranges, sources and markets, membership of chamber of commerce (if any), etc. (supported with catalogues, brochures, etc.)^ |
Detailed business plan (e.g. information on source of funds, estimated capital injection, nature/mode of business activities, expected turnover, sales volume, gross and net profit in the coming years, and proposed creation of local job posts, etc.) [for companies newly set up within 12 months only]^ |
^ Submission of the documents is not required if the employing company is listed on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, or has successfully obtained an employment or training visa/entry permit for a non-local staff in the past 24 months immediately before submission of the application.
Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.
Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa/entry permit application, field visits may be conducted. A person who knowingly and willfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.
Eligible applicants can click here to submit their applications for extension of stay online.
Routine application will normally be finalized within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
After the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.