Every way into Hong Kong.

For foreign nationals visiting Hong Kong for tourism or short personal/business visits. Most nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for 7, 14, 30 or 90 days depending on nationality (e.g. Australia, Canada, EU states, Japan, the UK and the USA get 90 days; many others 30 or 14 days; India requires free online pre-arrival registration for a 14-day stay). Those needing to stay beyond their visa-free allowance, or whose nationality is not visa-free, apply for a visit visa / entry permit. Visitors are not permitted by law to take up employment (paid or unpaid), establish or join a business, or enrol as a student. Travellers must hold adequate funds for the stay and, unless transiting to the Chinese Mainland or Macao, onward or return tickets. The ordinary visa fee is HK$330 for a relevant period of up to 180 days (transit visa HK$170). A visit visa does not lead to residence or right of abode; longer stays require an appropriate employment, study, dependant or talent route.

Government fee

HK$330

Max stay

180 days

For non-local students admitted to a registered Hong Kong school, post-secondary college or locally accredited programme. Applicants need an acceptance letter and must be able to meet course fees, maintenance and accommodation without working. Full-time post-secondary students are granted a stay matching the programme duration, up to a maximum of six years; other courses are limited to 12 months or the course length. Employment is generally prohibited, with exceptions for degree-level students: curriculum-related internships (up to one academic year or one-third of the programme), on-campus part-time work up to 20 hours per week, and unrestricted work during the summer (1 June to 31 August). Extensions are normally granted yearly. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants but, unlike most other categories, dependants of students may not work without prior permission (they may study). Study time can count toward the seven years of continuous ordinary residence required for the right of abode.

• Work: up to 20 h/week
• Study: Study in the admitted programme; extensions tied to the course.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Dependants may study; dependants of students may not work without prior permission.

Government fee

HK$230

Processing time

42 days

For non-residents coming to Hong Kong to acquire special skills and knowledge not available in their country or territory of domicile, sponsored by a well-established local company capable of providing the training. The maximum period of stay is 12 months. Approval requires that there is no security objection or serious criminal record, that the bona fides of the applicant and sponsor are satisfied, that a signed training contract exists between the company and the applicant, that the sponsor gives a written guarantee for the trainee's maintenance and repatriation, and that the duration and content of the training are justifiable. The training visa is time-limited and does not by itself lead to residence or right of abode, though dependants (spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18) may accompany the trainee. Processing normally takes about four weeks after all documents are received.

• Work: Activity is limited to the approved training programme, not open-market employment.
• Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may accompany the trainee.

Government fee

HK$330

Processing time

28 days

Max stay

365 days

A quota-based stream under the GEP and ASMTP for younger, experienced non-degree technical professionals filling acute manpower shortages. Applicants must be aged 18-40 at submission, meet the minimum qualifications for a specific trade on the Technical Professional List, hold a confirmed job offer in that trade, and earn remuneration not lower than the median for post-secondary non-degree qualification holders. The initial visa is granted for 36 months (24 months where local registration/licensing has not yet been obtained) on an employment condition; changing the skilled trade is not permitted. Extensions are normally up to 36 months or the contract duration. The stream is capped at 10,000 places over its first three years (quota period 30 June 2025 to 29 June 2028), with a per-trade cap of 3,000, on a first-come-first-served basis. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the holder may apply for the right of abode. Dependants (spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18) may work and study.

• Work: Work limited to the approved trade; changing trade is not permitted.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Dependants may work and study; must depart within 2 months if employment ends.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

28 days

Lets non-local graduates of Hong Kong full-time, locally accredited undergraduate or higher programmes (and graduates of designated Greater Bay Area joint-campus programmes) stay to seek and take up work. Recent graduates applying within six months of graduation receive 24 months on time limitation only - no job offer required, with free choice and change of employment. Non-recent graduates (beyond six months) must hold a confirmed degree-level job offer at market remuneration. The scheme is quota-free and non-sector-specific. After the initial period, extensions follow a 3+3-year pattern (high earners with HK$2 million-plus assessable income and two years of IANG residence may qualify for 6-year extensions). After seven years of continuous ordinary residence holders may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants. Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea are excluded; some other nationalities are limited to UGC-funded programmes.

• Work: Recent graduates may take and change any employment freely.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may work and study.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

14 days

The main work route for non-Mainland professionals with a confirmed Hong Kong job offer. Applicants normally need a first degree in the relevant field (or strong technical qualifications and proven professional experience), special skills/knowledge of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong, a genuine vacancy, and remuneration broadly in line with the local market. The policy is quota-free and non-sector-specific. The initial visa is granted for up to 36 months on an employment condition (or the contract duration if shorter), typically extended on a 3+2-year pattern; high earners with assessable income of at least HK$2 million may receive a top-tier 5-year extension without an employment condition. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the holder may apply for the right of abode (permanent residence). Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants and are not prohibited from working or studying. Since 26 February 2025 GEP applications carry a HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$1,300 (limit of stay over 180 days) or HK$600.

• Work: Work permitted for the sponsoring employer; changing employer needs approval.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study without separate permission.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may work and study.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

28 days

The counterpart of the GEP for Chinese residents of the Mainland who hold a confirmed Hong Kong job offer requiring special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available locally. Applicants normally need a relevant degree (or strong technical/professional qualifications), and remuneration broadly in line with the local market. The scheme is quota-free and non-sector-specific. The initial visa is granted for 24 or 36 months on an employment condition, extendable (commonly up to a further 36 months or the contract duration). After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the holder may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants and may work and study. Mainland applicants must obtain exit endorsements from the relevant Mainland authorities. Since 26 February 2025 ASMTP applications carry a HK$600 application fee plus a HK$1,300/HK$600 issuance fee.

• Work: Work permitted for the sponsoring employer; change of employer needs approval.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study without separate permission.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may work and study.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

28 days

Hong Kong's investment-migration route, relaunched on 1 March 2024. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, hold net assets of at least HK$30 million maintained over the six months before application, and invest at least HK$30 million in permissible assets - HK$27 million in eligible financial assets and/or real estate, plus HK$3 million placed into the CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited. Permissible financial assets include SEHK-listed equities and debt securities, eligible funds and certain deposits; real estate is capped at HK$15 million (residential capped at HK$10 million, with a per-transaction floor). Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea are excluded. The initial stay is granted for up to 24 months on time limitation only, with extensions of up to 3 years each so long as the investment is maintained. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the entrant may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants and may work and study. The HK$30 million is the investment threshold; separate Immigration Department application/issuance fees apply.

• Work: Entrant is not subject to an employment condition while the investment is held.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Dependants may work and study.

Government fee

HK$600

Min. investment

HK$30,000,000

For people establishing or joining in a business in Hong Kong as entrepreneurs, under the General Employment Policy. There is no fixed minimum investment; the Immigration Department assesses whether the applicant can make a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy, weighing business background, a two/three-year business plan with profit-and-loss, cash-flow and balance-sheet forecasts, turnover, financial resources, the number of local jobs created, introduction of new technology or skills, and relevance to Hong Kong's pillar and emerging industries. Applicants must be of good character with no security objection and normally hold a first degree or equivalent. The initial visa is granted for up to 36 months on an employment condition, typically extended on a 3+2-year pattern. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the holder may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants and may work and study. Since 26 February 2025 applications carry a HK$600 application fee plus a HK$1,300/HK$600 issuance fee.

• Work: May run and work in the sponsored business.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Dependants may work and study.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

28 days

A reciprocal cultural-exchange scheme letting young people from partner countries spend up to 12 months in Hong Kong with a holiday as the primary purpose, supplemented by short-term work and study. Applicants must be aged 18-30, ordinarily resident in a participating country and hold a valid passport of that country. Participating countries and annual quotas include Australia (5,000), Japan (1,500), South Korea (1,000), the United Kingdom (1,000), France (750), Sweden (500), New Zealand (400), Germany (300), Hungary (200), Ireland (200), Canada (193), Austria (100) and the Netherlands (100). Temporary employment is allowed with per-employer limits varying by nationality, and short study or training courses are permitted. Extension of stay is not normally considered, and the scheme does not lead to residence or right of abode. Applicants must show maintenance funds or a return ticket and hold medical/repatriation insurance; visa fees vary by nationality (Irish, Japanese and Korean nationals are exempt from the fee).

• Work: Temporary work allowed with per-employer duration limits varying by nationality.
• Study: Short study or training courses permitted, with duration limits by nationality.

Government fee

HK$330

Max stay

365 days

Allows family members to join a sponsor settled or admitted to Hong Kong. Eligible sponsors include Hong Kong permanent residents, residents not subject to a limit of stay, and persons admitted under the employment, investment, training and talent schemes (GEP, ASMTP, IANG, TTPS, QMAS, New CIES and others). Eligible dependants are the spouse or party to a recognised civil partnership/union, unmarried dependent children under 18, and - where the sponsor is a permanent resident - parents aged 60 or above. The dependant's stay is normally linked to the sponsor's (a 3+3-year pattern for dependants of permanent residents; tied to the sponsor's permit for scheme entrants; 12 months annually renewable where the sponsor is a student). Dependants of permanent residents, settled residents and employment/talent entrants are not prohibited from working, and all dependants may study without prior permission (the exception is that dependants of students need prior permission to work). After seven years of continuous ordinary residence a dependant may apply for the right of abode in their own right.

• Work: Dependants of PRs/settled residents and employment/talent entrants may work; dependants of students need prior permission.
• Study: All dependants may study without prior permission.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Spouse/partner, unmarried children under 18, and parents 60+ (PR sponsors only).

Government fee

HK$330

Processing time

42 days

A points-based route for highly skilled or talented people who wish to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a job offer. It is non-sector-specific and uses two assessment routes: the General Points Test (scoring age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, income and family background against a passing mark) and the Achievement-based Points Test (for individuals with outstanding achievement such as major awards). Applicants must be 18 or over, financially self-sufficient, of good character, and normally hold a first degree. General Points Test entrants receive an initial 36 months on time limitation only, extended on a 3+2-year pattern (high earners with HK$2 million-plus assessable income may receive 5-year extensions); Achievement-based entrants receive an initial 8 years. The annual quota was suspended from 1 January 2023 for two years to streamline intake. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence holders may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join as dependants.

• Work: May take or change employment, or run a business, without sector restriction.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may join; stay linked to sponsor.

Government fee

HK$600

Attracts high-income earners and graduates of leading universities to Hong Kong without requiring a job offer in advance. Category A is for those with annual income of HK$2.5 million or above (or equivalent), granted 36 months on time limitation only. Categories B and C are for degree holders from eligible universities (institutions ranking in the top 100 of major global rankings, plus listed specialist and leading Mainland institutions): Category B requires at least three years of work experience in the preceding five years; Category C is for recent graduates (within five years) with under three years' experience and is subject to an annual quota on a first-come-first-served basis. Categories B and C receive 24 months on time limitation only, allowing free choice and change of employment. Successful extensions typically grant up to three years (top-tier high earners up to six years). After seven years of continuous ordinary residence holders may apply for the right of abode. Spouses/civil partners and unmarried children under 18 may join and enjoy unrestricted work and study rights.

• Work: No job offer needed; free to take and change employment or run a business.
• Study: Holder and dependants may study.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Dependants enjoy unrestricted work and study rights.

Government fee

HK$600

Processing time

28 days

Unconditional stay (the right to land) is the long-term residence status held by people who are not subject to any limit or condition of stay but who are not, or no longer, Hong Kong permanent residents. A person who has held right of abode and later loses it automatically acquires the right to land, which keeps the freedom to enter Hong Kong to live, study and work without restriction; the practical difference from right of abode is that the right to land does not include the same protection against deportation. Residents admitted under employment, investment or talent schemes who have completed seven years of continuous ordinary residence ordinarily progress to right of abode (permanent residence); those who cannot establish full permanent-resident status but qualify to remain without conditions may apply to have the condition or limit of stay removed (unconditional stay). The status is established through an application to the Immigration Department on the relevant declaration form.

• Work: No condition of stay; free to live, work and study without restriction.
• Study: No restriction on study.
• Residency after 7 years

Government fee

HK$330

Right of abode is Hong Kong's permanent-resident status. For non-Chinese nationals, it is acquired by entering on a valid travel document, ordinarily residing in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years immediately before the application, and taking Hong Kong as the place of permanent residence; Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong or resident for seven continuous years also qualify, as do certain children of permanent residents. Right of abode confers the right to land, freedom from any condition or limit of stay, and protection against deportation and removal. Eligible persons establish the status by applying for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card (while in Hong Kong) or a Certificate of Entitlement (while outside Hong Kong). The application is free of charge, and the Immigration Department finalises about 95% of cases within three months of receiving all documents. A person who later loses right of abode automatically acquires the right to land, which keeps the freedom to live, work and study without restriction but without the same protection against deportation.

• Work: No condition of stay; free to work or run any business.
• Study: No restriction on study.
• Residency: This is permanent-resident status itself.

Government fee

HK$0

Processing time

90 days