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1. This information leaflet prepared by the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) sets out the visa/entry permit requirements for persons wishing to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The information in this leaflet serves as reference only. The HKSAR immigration authorities have the right to refuse any application(s) even where the immigration requirements are met.
2. 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, study, establish or join in any business, take up residence or to stay in the HKSAR as a visitor longer than the allowed visa free period. 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 below 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.

3. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for a visit (leisure, social or business) or transit may be favourably considered if:
   
   1. the applicant's bona fides are not in doubt;
   2. the applicant has adequate funds to cover the duration of his/her stay without working; and
   3. where the application is for a transit visa/permit, he/she holds an onward ticket to the place of his/her destination unless the destination is Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) or the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

4. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for employment may be favourably considered if:
   
   1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
   2. the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
   3. there is a genuine job vacancy;
   4. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his/her academic qualifications or work experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and
   5. the remuneration package, including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits, is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the HKSAR.
5. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for investment may be favourably considered if:
   

   a.	there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
   b.	the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted; and
   c.	(i)	the applicant is in a position to make substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR, with consideration factors including, but not limited to, business plan, business turnover, financial resources, investment sum, number of jobs created locally, and introduction of new technology or skills.
   	(ii)	an applicant who wishes to establish or join in a start-up business may also submit an application. The Immigration Department may consider the application favourably, if the start-up business concerned is supported by a government-backed programme with a rigorous vetting and selection process, and the applicant is the proprietor or partner of the start-up company or a key researcher of the relevant project. Examples of government-backed programmes include:
   		(1)	StartmeupHK Venture Programme administered by InvestHK;
   		(2)	Incu-App, Incu-Bio and Incu-Tech programmes administered by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation;
   		(3)	Cyberport Incubation Programme;
   		(4)	Enterprise Support Scheme administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission; and
   		(5)	Design Incubation Programme administered by the Hong Kong Design Centre.

6. These entry arrangements do not apply to:
   
   1. Chinese residents of the Mainland; and
   2. nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).
7. PRC passport holders living overseas, who meet the criteria stipulated in paragraph 4 or 5 and normal immigration requirements, may apply to enter the HKSAR for employment or investment under the General Employment Policy if:
   1. the applicant has permanent residence overseas; or
   2. the applicant has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of application ("overseas" means countries or territories outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao SAR and Taiwan) and that the application is submitted from overseas.
8. Persons admitted under this arrangement may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
   
   Note 1:
   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.

9. An application for an entry permit to enter the HKSAR for employment under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals may be considered if:
   1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
   2. the applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
   3. there is a genuine job vacancy;
   4. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment and is employed in a job relevant to his academic qualifications or work experience that cannot be readily taken up by the local work force; and
   5. the remuneration package, including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits, is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for professionals in the HKSAR.
10. The Scheme has no quota or sector restrictions, and is applicable to Mainland residents only.
11. A Mainland resident who is currently working or studying in the HKSAR is required to return to the Mainland first to obtain an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement before coming to the HKSAR for employment under the Scheme if his/her application is approved.
12. A person admitted under this Scheme for employment in the HKSAR may bring in his/her 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
13. Mainland residents visiting the HKSAR may not request to prolong their limit of stay on grounds of having submitted applications under the Scheme.

14. To address the problem of acute manpower shortage in skilled trades in Hong Kong, the Government of the HKSAR has introduced the Technical Professionals Stream (hereafter “TP Stream”) under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, with a view to allowing a specified number of young and experienced non-degree professionals with relevant professional and technical skills to apply for entry into the HKSAR to join the specific skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage.
15. An application for a visa/entry permit to take up employment in the HKSAR under the TP Stream may be favourably considered if the following eligibility criteria and the normal immigration requirements are met:
    1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
    2. the applicant is aged between 18 and 40 at the time of submission of an entry application;
    3. the applicant must meet the minimum qualification requirements specified for the corresponding specific skilled trades on the Technical Professional List (hereafter “TP List”), including academic qualifications, work experience, professional qualifications (such as local registration or licence to practise) and skills, etc. (please refer to Relevant Information of Technical Professional List);
    4. the applicant has a confirmed offer of employment in the HKSAR in one of the specific skilled trades on the TP List, and the employment contract must meet the minimum duration requirement applicable to that specific skilled trade (please refer to Relevant Information of Technical Professional List); and
    5. the remuneration package (including income, accommodation, medical and other fringe benefits) is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for relevant technical professionals in the HKSAR and not lower than the prevailing median employment earnings of persons with academic qualifications at post-secondary non-degree level in the HKSAR (whichever is higher).
16. This entry arrangement does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).
17. All entry visa/permit applications made under the TP Stream will be subject to quota. There is an overall quota of 10 000 in the first three years of its implementation, and the quota for each specific skilled trade is limited to 3 000. The quota will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Quota will be deemed secured upon successful submission of an entry visa/permit application by the applicant and his/her employer through the online application system of the Immigration Department. Once the overall quota or the quota of a specific skilled trade is fully utilised, the Immigration Department’s online application system will be temporarily suspended from accepting relevant applications.
18. Technical professionals admitted under this arrangement may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 – 86 below.

19. The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit non-local technology talent to undertake research and development (R&D) work for them in the HKSAR. Eligible companies would first have to apply for a quota. A company allotted with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) can accordingly sponsor an eligible person to apply for an employment visa/entry permit within the 24-month quota validity period. For details of TechTAS, please refer to the “Application Guide – TechTAS 01” and “Application Guide – TechTAS 02” in the website of ITC.  For details of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS), please click here for details of the entry arrangements and refer to the ‘Application Guide (TechTAS-NIAS)’ in the website of ITC.
20. An application for a visa/entry permit to take up employment under TechTAS may be favourably considered by the Director of Immigration after ITC has approved a quota if:
    1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
    2. the employing company has a valid quota approved by ITC at the time of application;
    3. the applicant is employed as a full-time employee in the HKSAR by the employing company;
    4. the applicant is engaged principally in conducting R&D in the areas of advanced communication technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital entertainment, financial technologies, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things, material science, microelectronics, quantum technology or robotics;
    5. the applicant is a degree-holder in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) from a well-recognised university, which is among the top 100 universities for STEM-related subjects in the latest publication of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) (also known as Shanghai Ranking), Times Higher Education Rankings or U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings (USNWR). Work experience is not compulsory for those with a Master’s or Doctoral degree, whereas those with a Bachelor’s degree only should possess a minimum of one year of work experience in the relevant technology area. Persons not meeting the academic requirements but possessing good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements can be considered on a case-by-case basis with full justifications. In such case, relevant documentary evidence should be provided;
    6. the applicant is offered remuneration not lower than the prevailing market level for comparable jobs in the HKSAR;
    7. the applicant meets the specific particulars pertaining to the job position set out in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC; and
    8. the bona fides of the employing company and the applicant are not in doubt.
21. TechTAS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).
22. Persons admitted or seeking admission under TechTAS may apply, under their sponsorship, to bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.

23. Non-local students ^{Note 2} who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in the HKSAR (non-local graduates) may apply to stay/return and work in the HKSAR under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG).
24. Non-local graduates who submit applications to the Immigration Department within six months after the date of their graduation (i.e. the date shown on their graduation certificates) are classified as non-local recent graduates. Non-local recent graduates who wish to apply to stay and work in the HKSAR are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application. They may be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without any other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.
25. Non-local graduates who submit applications after six months of the date of their graduation are classified as non-local non-recent graduates. Non-local non-recent graduates who wish to return to work in the HKSAR are required to have secured an offer of employment upon application. Their applications may be favourably considered if the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level. They may be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without any other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.
26. Persons who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time programme offered by a higher education institution in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly established by universities of the Mainland and Hong Kong in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (GBA campus graduates) may also apply to come and work in the HKSAR under the IANG.
27. GBA campus graduates who submit applications to the Immigration Department within six months after the date of their graduation (i.e. the date shown on their graduation certificates) are classified as GBA campus recent graduates. GBA campus recent graduates who wish to apply to come and work in the HKSAR are not required to have secured an offer of employment 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.
28. GBA campus graduates who submit applications beyond six months of the date of their graduation are classified as GBA campus non-recent graduates. GBA campus non-recent graduates who wish to come and work in the HKSAR are required to secure an offer of employment upon application. Their applications may be favourably considered if the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level. They may be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without any other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.
29. Persons admitted under the IANG are free to take up and change employment during their permitted stay in the HKSAR without the need to seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration.
30. This entry arrangement does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of). For nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam, the IANG only applies to (a) those who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally-accredited local programme in Hong Kong offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, but excluding: (i) self-financing programmes offered by the relevant universities; (ii) programmes offered by the continuing and professional education arms of the relevant universities; and (iii) exchange programme or short-term studies offered by the relevant institutions; or (b) GBA campus graduates.
31. Persons admitted under the IANG may 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
    
    Note 2:
    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.

32. The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) (formerly known as Supplementary Labour Scheme or SLS), the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes (Special Scheme) and the Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes (Sector-specific Schemes) are implemented in the HKSAR to handle applications for importation of labour. Administered by the Labour Department, the Social Welfare Department and the concerned bureaux/departments of the Government of the HKSAR or the concerned statutory organisations of the HKSAR respectively, these schemes allow employers with genuine difficulties in recruiting suitable employees locally to import labour / care workers from outside the HKSAR.
33. Employers intending to import labour/ care workers under the ESLS, the Special Scheme or the Sector-specific Schemes should pay attention to the followings:
    
    1. For importation of labour under the ESLS, employers need to first apply to the ESLS Application Office of the Supplementary Labour Division of the Labour Department for an approval-in-principle. Upon the grant of the approval-in-principle, the employer shall arrange for his/her prospective worker to each submit a visa/entry permit application within the period specified in the approval-in-principle letter. The approval-in-principle will automatically lapse if no visa/entry permit application is submitted within the aforementioned period.
    2. For importation of care worker under the Special Scheme, employers need to first apply to the Contract Management Section of the Social Welfare Department for quota(s). Upon the grant of quota(s), the employers shall arrange for his/her prospective care worker(s) to be imported to each submit a visa/entry permit application within the period specified in the Notice of Quota Approval (SWD-ICW-8). The quota will automatically lapse if no visa/entry permit application is submitted within the aforementioned period.
    3. For importation of labour under the Sector-specific Schemes, employers need to first apply to the concerned bureaux/departments for quota(s). Upon the grant of quota(s), the employer shall arrange for his/her prospective labour to be imported to each submit a visa/entry permit application within the period specified in the Notice of Quota Application Result/Quota Allocation Result Notification Letter/Notice of Quota Approval (please refer to Other Details of Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes for the reference number of the document). Individual quota will automatically lapse if no visa/entry permit application is submitted within the aforementioned period.
34. Please refer to the following guidebooks for the eligibility criteria for application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for employment as an imported worker/care worker/labour under the ESLS, the Special Scheme or the Sector-specific Schemes:

    Entry arrangement	Guidebooks
    ESLS	“Guidebook for Entry under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme"	ID(C)1002 (Chinese version) ID(E)1002 (English version)
    Special Scheme	“Guidebook for Entry under Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes”	ID(C)1029 (Chinese version) ID(E)1029 (English version)
    Sector-specific Schemes	“Guidebook for Entry under Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes”	ID(C)1031 (Chinese version) ID(E)1031 (English version)

35. The ESLS, the Special Scheme and the Sector-specific Schemes do not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.
36. Imported labour/ care worker are not allowed to bring in their dependants.

37. An application for a visa to enter the HKSAR for employment as a foreign domestic helper (FDH) may be favourably considered if:
    
    1. the bona fides of the applicant and the employer are not in doubt;
    2. there is no known record to the detriment of the applicant and the employer;
    3. the applicant has more than two years of work experience as a domestic helper;
    4. the employer is a bona fide resident in the HKSAR;
    5. the employer is financially capable of employing the helper, providing him/her with suitable accommodation and of guaranteeing his/her maintenance and repatriation upon termination of his/her contract;
    6. the salary offered is not below the minimum allowable wage (MAW)* in force at time of application; and
    7. the applicant and the employer enter into a standard employment contract which is notarised by the appropriate consulate in the HKSAR if so required by the relevant consulate.
       
       (* For information on the prevailing MAW, you may refer to the Labour Department's website at www.labour.gov.hk)
38. FDHs are not permitted to take up any driving duties if they are allowed to enter or remain under the prevailing standard employment contract which prohibits motor driving duties. However, individual employers who have a genuine need for their FDHs to perform driving duties incidental to and arising from domestic duties may apply for exceptional permission. All such applications are considered on their individual merits. Permission may be given if:
    
    1. full justification of the need for and the specific details of driving service to be provided by his/her FDH incidental to and arising from any of the five broad categories of domestic duties is provided, namely household chores; cooking; looking after aged persons in the household; baby-sitting; and child-minding;
    2. the ownership, description and registration number of the vehicle to be driven by his/her FDH are clearly stated and the vehicle concerned should be either a family saloon car or a mini-van of no more than eight seats;
    3. where the vehicle is registered in the name of a company, a certificate from the company to the effect that the vehicle is provided for the personal and family use of the persons concerned;
    4. the FDH must be a live-in helper; and
    5. the FDH possesses a valid Hong Kong driving licence (an international driving licence and a temporary driving licence are not acceptable).
39. This entry arrangement does not apply to:
    
    1. Chinese residents of the Mainland, the Macao SAR and Taiwan; and
    2. nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.
40. FDHs are not allowed to bring in their dependants.

41. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for a limited period (not more than 12 months) of training to acquire special skills and knowledge not available in the applicant's country/territory of domicile may be favourably considered if:
    
    1. the bona fides of the applicant and the sponsoring company are satisfied;
    2. there is a contract signed between the sponsoring company and the applicant;
    3. the sponsoring company guarantees in writing the maintenance and repatriation of the applicant and that the applicant will receive training on the sponsor's premises until the end of the agreed period, after which the applicant will return to his/her place of residence;
    4. the sponsoring company is a well-established company, capable of providing the proposed training;
    5. the proposed duration and content of the training programme can be justified; and
    6. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant.
42. This entry arrangement does not apply to:
    
    1. Chinese residents of the Mainland (other than Mainland employees and business associates of well-established and multinational companies based in the HKSAR); and
    2. nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).
43. Persons admitted under this arrangement may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.

44. At present, there are 13 participating countries under the Working Holiday Scheme (Italy is the 14th participating country under the Working Holiday Scheme and the effective date of the scheme is to be confirmed) and their respective annual quotas are as follows -
    

    Country	Annual quota
    Australia	5,000
    Austria	100
    Canada	200
    France	750
    Germany	300
    Hungary	200
    Ireland	200
    Italy	500 (effective date of the scheme to be confirmed)
    Japan	1,500
    Korea (Republic of)	1,000
    Netherlands	100
    New Zealand	400
    Sweden	500
    United Kingdom	1,000

45. An application for a working holiday visa from a national of a participating country may be favourably considered if the following criteria are met:
    1. the applicant holds a valid national passport issued by the participating country and is ordinarily residing in that participating country (for applicant from the Netherlands, he/she should be habitually residing in the European part of the Netherlands);
    2. the applicant's primary intention is to holiday in the HKSAR;
    3. the applicant is aged between 18 and 30;
    4. the applicant is able to produce financial proof of having an amount sufficient for his/her maintenance during the proposed stay in the HKSAR, e.g. bank statement, savings accounts passbook, etc.;
    5. the applicant holds a return air ticket or financial proof of having sufficient funds to purchase a return air ticket; and
    6. the applicant agrees to hold medical, healthcare (including hospitalisation), repatriation and liability insurance to remain in force throughout his/her stay in the HKSAR (applies to participants from Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Italy (effective date of the scheme to be confirmed), the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom). For participants from France, they should produce proof of comprehensive liability and medical insurance covering hospitalisation, pregnancy, disability and repatriation. For participants from Austria and Germany, they should have comprehensive liability and medical insurance covering hospitalisation and repatriation. For participants from Japan, they should have sufficient medical insurance.
46. The holder of a working holiday visa will be allowed to enter the HKSAR for a period of not more than 12 months subject to normal immigration requirements being met. Application for extension of stay will not normally be considered.
47. Participants of the Scheme are not permitted to engage in permanent employment, but may take up temporary employment as an incidental aspect of their holiday. The short-term employment allowed for participants are as follows:
    • Australian citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
    • Austrian citizens - not allowed to work for more than six months
    • British citizens - not allowed to work for more than 12 months
    • Canadian citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
    • Dutch citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
    • French citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
    • German citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
    • Hungarian citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
    • Irish citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
    • Italian citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months and up to a total of six months (effective date of the scheme to be confirmed)
    • Japanese citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
    • Korean citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
    • New Zealand citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than three months
    • Swedish citizens - not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months
      
      In addition, the number of study or training courses allowed for participants are as follows:
    • Australian citizens - any number (course duration of not more than three months)
    • Austrian citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months)
    • British citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than 12 months)
    • Canadian citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months)
    • Dutch citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months)
    • French citizens - one only (course duration of not more than six months)
    • German citizens - one only (course duration of not more than six months)
    • Hungarian citizens - one only (course duration of not more than six months)
    • Irish citizens - not allowed
    • Italian citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months) (effective date of the scheme to be confirmed)
    • Japanese citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months)
    • Korean citizens - one only (course duration of not more than six months)
    • New Zealand citizens - one only (course duration of not more than three months)
    • Swedish citizens - any number (cumulative duration of courses not more than six months)
48. Participants will not be eligible to come to the HKSAR for any further working holiday under the same Scheme. Applications for entry as dependants of the participants of this Scheme will not be considered.

49. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for study may be favourably considered if:
    
    1. the applicant:
       1. is admitted to a private school registered under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) or Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320). Except for post-secondary education, entry for study in public or aided schools (other than English Schools Foundation Schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools) is not permitted;
       2. takes up studies in a full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programme including short-term course or part-time locally-accredited taught postgraduate local programme ^{Note 3};
       3. is admitted on exchange in full-time locally-accredited local programmes at sub-degree level for not more than six months or on exchange in full-time locally-accredited local or non-local programmes for not more than one year at undergraduate or above level; or
       4. is enrolled in a full-time course on the register of non-local higher education or professional courses as set up under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (Cap. 493);
    2. the applicant is:
       1. from the age of five years and eight months to 11 for primary education; or
       2. below the age of 20 for secondary education;
    3. the applicant holds a school acceptance letter to confirm that he/she has been accepted for a course of study; and
    4. the applicant is able to meet the fees for the course, the living expenses for his/her maintenance and accommodation without working and without recourse to public funds.
50. This entry arrangement does not apply to:
    1. Chinese residents of the Mainland and Taiwan (please see also paragraph 51 below);
    2. former Mainland Chinese residents settled in the Macao SAR who were not settled there by 14 January 1979 (please see also paragraph 51 below); and
    3. nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam (please see also paragraph 51 below).
51. However, provided that the conditions in sub-paragraphs 49(c) & (d) above are met, Chinese residents of the Mainland, the Macao SAR and Taiwan as listed in sub-paragraphs 50(a) & (b) above and nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam as listed in sub-paragraph 50(c) above may apply for entry to take up:
    
    
    • For Chinese residents of the Mainland, Macao SAR and Taiwan (sub-paragraphs 50(a) & (b) above):
      1. studies in full-time locally-accredited post-secondary local or non-local programmes ^{Note 3, 4 & 5};
      2. studies in part-time locally-accredited taught post-graduate local programmes ^{Note 6};
      3. exchange in full-time locally-accredited local programmes at sub-degree level for not more than six months or exchange in full-time locally-accredited local or non-local programmes at undergraduate or above level for not more than one year ^{Note 5}; or
      4. full-time short-term studies, subject to the following conditions:
         1. the programme concerned is offered by Hong Kong higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers (excluding their continuing and professional education arms); and
         2. the cumulative duration of short-term studies taken up by any student should not exceed 180 days within any 12-month period.
            
            
      In addition, Chinese residents of the Mainland may also apply to attend secondary school level short-term exchange programmes approved by the Education Bureau of not more than two weeks, if accompanied by Mainland teachers.
    • For nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam (sub-paragraph 50(c) above):
      1. studies in full-time locally-accredited local programmes at undergraduate or above level offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions, but excluding: (i) self-financing programmes offered by the relevant institutions; (ii) programmes offered by the continuing and professional education arms of the relevant institutions; and (iii) exchange programme or short-term studies offered by the relevant institutions.
52. To apply for entry for study, the applicant should nominate a local sponsor. A local sponsor can either be the education institution granting the acceptance or an individual. If the sponsor is an individual, he/she is required to sign an undertaking that he/she is prepared to provide financial support to the applicant during the applicant's period of study in the HKSAR. If the applicant is under the age of 18, his/her sponsor is required to sign an undertaking that he/she is prepared to provide accommodation to the applicant during the applicant's period of study in the HKSAR. In addition, the sponsor is held responsible for the repatriation of the applicant where necessary.
53. If the applicant is under the age of 18, one of the applicant's parents should authorise the sponsor or his relative/friend to be the guardian of the applicant. A consent letter duly signed by both the guardian and one of the applicant's parents should be produced.
54. Persons admitted for studying in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programmes in local degree-awarding institutions may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
55. If the education institution or student for any reason terminates studies before the completion of such a study course as approved by the Director of Immigration, the education institution should notify the Director of Immigration of the date of termination of study in writing with reasons for termination or provide the Director of Immigration with a completed “Notification of Termination of Studies” (ID 977) within seven working days following the termination.
56. Non-local students of full-time locally-accredited local or non-local programmes at undergraduate level or above whose study period is not less than one academic year may take up internship subject to the following conditions:
    
    1. the internship must be study/curriculum-related and arranged or endorsed by the institution they are studying in ^{Note 7}; and
    2. the duration of the internship is up to one academic year, or one-third of the normal duration of the relevant full-time academic programme, whichever is shorter ^{Note 8}.
       
       
    There is no restriction on the nature of work, level of salary, location, number of working hours and employers for the internship arrangements.
    
    As regards non-local students enrolled in full-time locally-accredited sub-degree local programmes with a study period not less than two academic years, they may also apply to take up internship if the following conditions are met:
    1. the internship must be mandatory, study/curriculum-related and arranged / endorsed by the institution they are studying in ^{Note 7}; and
    2. the duration of the internship is up to six months ^{Note 8 & 9}.
       
       
    Moreover, non-local students (excluding exchange students) of full-time locally-accredited local programmes at undergraduate level or above whose study period is not less than one academic year may, during the currency of their limit of stay, take up:
    1. part-time on-campus employment ^{Note 10} ,for not more than 20 hours per week ^{Note 11} throughout the year; and
    2. employment during the summer months from 1 June to 31 August (both dates inclusive) without any limit in relation to working hours and location.
       
       

    Nevertheless, non-local students (excluding exchange students) of full-time locally-accredited local programmes at undergraduate level or above whose study period is not less than one academic year are temporarily exempted from the above employment restrictions that they may take up employment in Hong Kong during the currency of their limit of stay or within the effective period as specified in the “No Objection Letter” (NOL) issued to them (if applicable), whichever is the shorter.

    Eligible students will be notified individually by a NOL which will spell out the type(s) and conditions of employment which the student may take up.

    Note 3:
    Local programmes refer to those programmes leading to degrees awarded by local degree-awarding institutions, whereas non-local programmes refer to those programmes leading to degrees awarded solely by non-local institutions, irrespective of whether the programmes are jointly run by local and non-local institutions.
    
    Note 4:
    The agreement between the Mainland and the HKSAR on mutual recognition of degree awards in higher education is not applicable to sub-degree qualifications (i.e. associate degree and higher diploma). Mainland students may come to attend sub-degree level local programmes in the HKSAR since there is no restriction in the Mainland prohibiting them to pursue further studies at education institutions outside the Mainland on a personal basis.
    
    Note 5:
    Mainland students are allowed to study in full-time locally-accredited local programmes. Mainland students are also allowed to study in full-time locally-accredited non-local programmes at undergraduate or above level which have been approved by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.
    
    Note 6:
    The programmes to be taken up by Mainland students must be offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions.
    
    Note 7:
    The study/curriculum-related internship must be endorsed by designated officers of the relevant institution, not by individual offices, schools, faculties or faculty members.
    
    Note 8:
    The internship cannot take place before a non-local student has officially registered with the institution and begun attending any scheduled classes of his/her registered programme in the HKSAR, or when the student concerned has already fulfilled all the course/credit requirements for graduation (e.g. a student who has just finished his/her final year of study).
    
    Note 9:
    For Higher Diploma programmes: The 6 months' duration is calculated on a cumulative basis of 182 days and is counted by calendar day. For sub-degree programmes other than Higher Diploma programmes : The 6 months' duration is calculated on a cumulative basis of 26 weeks and is counted by calendar week as a unit regardless of the actual days being engaged in the internship within a week. The cumulative duration of 182 days or 26 weeks need not be continuous.
    
    Note 10:
    The employment must take place within the campus of the institution (including only the campus of the institution which the non-local student is enrolled in, and excluding the campus of any subsidiary and associated bodies of the relevant institution proper or its self-financing arms) where the non-local student is studying or, if the work location is outside the campus of the institution, the employer is the institution itself.
    
    Note 11:
    Students are not allowed to roll-over unused hours from one week to another.

57. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme seeks to attract highly skilled or talented persons to settle in Hong Kong in order to enhance Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness. Applicants are required to fulfil a set of prerequisites before they can be further assessed via one of the two assessment routes under the Scheme, namely the General Points Test (GPT) and the Achievement-based Points Test (APT). Prerequisites under the Scheme are:
    
    1. the applicant must be aged 18 or above when submitting an application under the Scheme;
    2. the applicant must be able to demonstrate that he/she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself/herself and his/her dependant(s), if any, on his/her own financial resources without relying on public assistance during his/her stay in the HKSAR;
    3. the applicant must have no criminal or adverse immigration record in the HKSAR or elsewhere; and
    4. the applicant must have a good educational background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or tertiary education institution. Under special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities, and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.
58. Selection exercises will be conducted on a regular basis. During each selection exercise, applicants who meet both the prerequisites and the passing threshold (under the General Points Test) or one of the assessment criteria (under the Achievement-based Points Test) will be considered. In general, not all applications meeting both the prerequisites and the passing threshold will necessarily be approved and applications meeting more assessment criteria will be considered more favourably. The Director of Immigration may seek advice on the applicants from a high-level Assessment Panel chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare. The Assessment Panel will take a holistic view of the manpower requirements in different sectors and industries, socio-economic needs of Hong Kong, the background and credentials of applicants, and other relevant factors and advise the Director of Immigration on the applicants’ suitability. The selection is on a merit basis according to the circumstances of each case and the above-mentioned factors. Please refer to Form ID(E) 982 “Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Guidance Notes” for details.
59. An overseas Chinese national holding a PRC passport who submits an application from overseas and who has permanent residence overseas or who has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before submission of the application (“overseas” means countries or territories outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao SAR and Taiwan) may apply to come to Hong Kong for residence under the Scheme on strength of his/her valid PRC passport.
60. The Scheme is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).
61. Entrants admitted under this Scheme may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.

62. Applicants who are the second generation of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents from overseas who wish to return to work in the HKSAR may apply under the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR under the Scheme may be favourably considered if the applicant:
    
    1. is aged between 18 and 40 at the time of application;
    2. was born overseas ^{Note 12};
    3. has at least one parent who is the holder of a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card at the time of application and was a Chinese national who had settled overseas at the time of the applicant’s birth;
    4. has a good education background, normally a first degree, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be accepted;
    5. is proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English; and
    6. has sufficient financial means and is able to meet the living expenses for his/her (including his/her dependants, if any) maintenance and accommodation in the HKSAR without recourse to public funds.
63. Applicants are not required to have secured an offer of employment in the HKSAR upon application. They may be granted an initial stay of 24 months on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.
64. Persons admitted under this Scheme are free to take up or 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.
65. The Scheme is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).
66. Persons admitted under this Scheme may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
    
    Note 12:
    For the purpose of the Scheme, “overseas” means countries/territories outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao SAR and Taiwan.

67. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (hereafter “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.
68. Persons who wish to apply to enter the HKSAR under the TTPS are not required to have taken up employment in the HKSAR upon application. They may be granted 36 months' (Category A) / 24 months' (Categories B and C) 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 (a) to (c) below:
    1. persons with annual income ^{Note 13} reaching HK$2.5 million or above, or its equivalent in foreign currency, in the year immediately preceding the date of application (Category A);
    2. degree graduates ^{Note 14 & 15} of the eligible universities ^{Note 16} with at least three years of work experience ^{Note 17} over the past five years immediately preceding the date of application ^{Note 18} (Category B); or
    3. degree graduates ^{Note 14 & 15} of the eligible universities ^{Note 16} in the past five years immediately preceding the date of application ^{Note 18} with less than three years of work experience ^{Note 17}, subject to an annual quota which is to be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis (Category C); however, Category C does not apply to those non-local students ^{Note 19} who have obtained the undergraduate qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in the HKSAR.
69. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR under the TTPS from a person under any category set out in paragraph 68 above may be favourably considered if:
    1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant; and
    2. the annual quota is available for allotment (applicable to Category C’s applicants only).
70. The TTPS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).
71. 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 celebration ^{Note 1} and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
    
    Note 13：
    Annual income means taxable employment or business income including salary, allowances, stock options and profits from self-owned companies. Regarding business income, in general, applicants should continually hold the relevant company shares throughout the tax assessment year preceding the date of application for the calculation of the annual income they can acquire from the profits of their self-owned companies. Income generated from personal investment will not be taken into consideration.
    
    Note 14：
    The level of academic qualifications of applicants obtained from the eligible 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 15：
    Applicants are required to submit verification proof issued by a third-party credential verification organisation or the awarding institution regarding their academic qualifications, and to provide necessary information for the Immigration Department to conduct online authentication on respective platforms. For the list of third-party credential verification organisations, please refer to the Immigration Department’s website at www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/TTPS.html.
    
    Note 16：
    The eligible universities refer to those universities/institutions on the aggregate list of eligible universities (hereafter “the aggregate list”), which is compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The aggregate list is based on (i) 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; (ii) the top five universities/institutions providing specialised hotel programmes on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of “hospitality and leisure management” in the past five years; and (iii) the top 20 Mainland universities under the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Best Chinese Universities Ranking in the past five years and (iv) the top five specialised institutionson the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of “Art and Design” in the past five years. 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 eligible universities will not be accepted. For the latest aggregate list, please refer to the Immigration Department’s website at www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/TTPS.html.
    
    Note 17：
    The relevant work experience shall be accumulated from full-time employment, or else self-employment, after graduation.
    
    Note 18：
    Graduation in the past five years is counted by “year of graduation”.
    
    Note 19：
    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.

Important Message:
The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has been suspended since 15 January 2015, while the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was launched on 1 March 2024. 

72. An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for residence under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme may be considered if:
    
    1. the applicant is at the age of 18 or above when applying for entry under the Scheme;
    2. the applicant has net assets of not less than HK$10 million to which he/she is absolutely beneficially entitled throughout the two years preceding his/her application;
    3. the applicant has invested within six months before submission of his/her application to the Immigration Department, or will invest within six months after the granting of approval in principle by the Immigration Department, not less than HK$10 million in permissible investment asset classes (except Certificates of Deposit which must be invested within the latter period);
    4. the applicant has no adverse record both in the HKSAR and country/region of residence; and
    5. the applicant is able to demonstrate that he/she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself/herself and his/her dependants, if any, on his/her own without relying on any return on the permissible investment assets, employment or public assistance in the HKSAR.
73. Please click here and refer to Form ID(E) 968 “Rules for the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme” for details.
74. The Scheme is applicable to:
    1. foreign nationals (except nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Democratic People's Republic of Korea);
    2. Macao SAR residents;
    3. Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country;
    4. stateless persons who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country with proven re-entry facilities; and
    5. Taiwan residents.
75. Entrants admitted under this Scheme may bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.

76. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (hereafter “the New CIES”) is introduced with a view to further enriching the talent pool and attracting more new capital to Hong Kong. Eligible investors who make investment of HK$30 million or above in assets such as stocks, funds, bonds, etc., can apply for entry into Hong Kong for residence. This will strengthen the development of the asset and wealth management business, financial services and related professional services.
77. Subject to the terms of the Rules for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (hereafter “New Scheme Rules”), an applicant who satisfies the following criteria will be eligible for applying for admission into Hong Kong for residence under the New CIES:
    1. Age – aged 18 or above at the time of applying for net asset assessment to Invest Hong Kong (hereafter “InvestHK”);
    2. Scope of the Scheme –
       (i) foreign nationals^{Note 20};
       (ii) Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country;
       (iii) Macao Special Administrative Region residents; or
       (iv) Chinese residents of Taiwan;
    3. Net assets – applies for net asset assessment to InvestHK, i.e. demonstrating that he/she has net assets or net equity (including the respective portion of jointly-owned assets or equity with the applicant’s family member(s) which is absolutely beneficially entitled to the applicant as mentioned in paragraph 1.15 of the New Scheme Rules) to which he/she is absolutely beneficially entitled with a market value of not less than HK$30 million Net (or equivalent in foreign currencies) throughout the six months preceding the date he/she lodged the application for net asset assessment;
    4. Investment in permissible investment assets – makes investment of not less than HK$30 million Net (or equivalent in foreign currencies) in the permissible investment assets to which he/ she is absolutely beneficially entitled;
    5. No adverse record – demonstrates that he/she has no adverse immigration record and meets normal immigration and security requirements; and
    6. Others – demonstrates to the Director of Immigration that he/she is capable of supporting and accommodating himself/herself and his/her dependants, if any, on his/her own without relying on any return on the Permissible investment assets, employment, self-employment, office, business or public assistance in or carried on in Hong Kong as the case may be. In addition, the entry of dependants will be subject to any other policy applicable to such entry at the time.
78. Please click here and refer to “Rules for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme” for details in financial/investment requirements.
79. Under the New CIES, the InvestHK will be the dedicated party in processing financial assessment of the applications, including Net Asset Requirement, Investment Requirements and Portfolio Maintenance Requirements; while Immigration Department is responsible for assessing applications for visa/entry permit, extension of stay and unconditional stay pursuant to the New CIES.
80. Persons admitted or seeking admission under the New CIES may apply, under their sponsorship, to bring in 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration^{Note 1} and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Please see paragraphs 81 - 86 below.
    
    Note 20:
    Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and Democratic People's Republic of Korea are to be excluded. Stateless persons who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country with proven re-entry facilities will be eligible under the Scheme.

81. For a sponsor who has been admitted into the HKSAR to take up employment (under the General Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates or the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, for investment to establish/join in business, or for training) or studies (in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programmes in local degree-awarding institutions), or who is permitted to remain in the HKSAR as an entrant under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme ^{Note 21}, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, the Top Talent Pass Scheme or the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the following dependants may apply to join him/her for residence in the HKSAR:
    1. (i) his/her spouse; or
       (ii) 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}; and
    2. his/her unmarried dependent children under the age of 18.
82. For a sponsor who is a Hong Kong permanent resident or a resident who is not subject to a limit of stay (i.e. a resident with the right to land or on unconditional stay), the following dependants may apply to join him/her for residence in the HKSAR:
    1. (i) his/her spouse; or
       (ii) 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 entered into by him/her 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 celebration ^{Note 1}; and
    2. his/her unmarried dependent children under the age of 18; and
    3. his/her parents aged 60 or above.
83. Under the existing policy, while dependants, whose sponsors have been admitted into the HKSAR for study, may take up studies in the HKSAR, they are prohibited from taking up employment in the HKSAR unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration.
84. An application for entry to take up residence as a dependant may be favourably considered if:
    1. there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the applicant and the sponsor;
    2. there is no known record to the detriment of the applicant; and
    3. the sponsor is able to support the dependant's living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in the HKSAR.
85. This entry arrangement does not apply to:
    
    1. Chinese residents of the Mainland [except for those whose sponsors have been admitted to take up employment (under the General Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates or the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, for investment to establish/join in business, or for training) or studies (in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programmes in local degree-awarding institutions), or whose sponsors have been admitted as entrants under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme ^{Note 21}, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, the Top Talent Pass Scheme or the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme];
    2. former Mainland Chinese residents residing in the Macao SAR who have obtained Macao identity cards for less than seven years, unless they have acquired residence in the Macao SAR through the One-way Permit Scheme; and
    3. nationals of Afghanistan and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).
86. PRC passport holders living overseas, who have obtained permanent residence in an overseas country, may apply for entry as dependants. PRC passport holders who have been residing overseas for not less than one year may apply for entry as dependants to join sponsors who have resided overseas for not less than one year and been admitted to take up employment in the HKSAR under paragraph 7, or as entrants under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme under paragraph 59. They will also have to satisfy the criteria stipulated in paragraphs 81 - 84 and other normal immigration requirements.
    
    Note 21:
    The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has been suspended since 15 January 2015, while the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was launched on 1 March 2024. 

87. Non-permanent residents of the HKSAR, irrespective of their nationality and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within their valid limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.
88. Any visitor or Hong Kong resident (except permanent identity card holder) who has renewed his/her passport/travel document is advised to apply for a transfer of endorsement so that his/her valid immigration status in the HKSAR is to be indicated in the new passport/travel document. Before such has been done, he/she who wishes to travel is advised to present both the old and the new passports/ travel documents for departure and arrival immigration clearance at the HKSAR immigration control points.

89. The Immigration Department of the HKSARG is not responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of or in connection with any information in this leaflet. The Immigration Department reserves the right to omit, suspend or edit any information in this leaflet at any time in its absolute discretion without giving any reason or prior notice.

90. For more information, please contact the Immigration Department by enquiry hotline at (852) 2824 6111, by fax at (852) 2877 7711, by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk, or visit the Immigration Department’s website at www.immd.gov.hk.