Hong Kong Top Talent Residence
Hong Kong
Residency
At a glance
Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme lets certain high earners and graduates of eligible universities move without first securing a Hong Kong job offer.
- Job offer required?
- No, not for the first application
- Who it suits
- High earners and eligible-university graduates
- Main thresholds
- HKD 2.5 million income or an eligible degree profile
- Initial stay
- Normally 36 months for Category A and 24 months for B or C
- Family
- A spouse or qualifying partner and dependent children may usually join
- Long-term path
- Permanent residence may become possible after 7 years of ordinary residence
Summary
Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme lets certain high earners and graduates of eligible universities move without first securing a Hong Kong job offer.
The scheme has three profiles: very high recent employment or business income, an eligible-university degree plus substantial recent experience, or a recent eligible-university degree under the annual-quota category. Continued residence later depends on employment or business activity in Hong Kong.
Eligibility
- You fit Category A, B, or C under the current official rules.
- You are not covered by one of the nationalities or statuses excluded from the scheme.
- You can provide the required income, university, experience, identity, and good-character evidence.
- If using Category C, a place remains available under the annual allocation when the application is processed.
The issuing authority makes the final decision. A quick check can identify a plausible fit, but it cannot confirm approval or replace the current application guidance.
What This Route Allows
- If approved, you can enter and live in Hong Kong without a pre-arranged local job.
- Dependents can generally accompany the principal applicant under the published rules.
- A later extension can be possible after the applicant has secured qualifying employment or established a business in Hong Kong.
What This Route Is Not
- It is not an unconditional long-term residence permit; extension evidence is required.
- An eligible university degree by itself is not enough unless the Category B or C timing and experience rules also fit.
Next Steps
- Check the current eligible-university list and identify the exact category you would use.
- Collect the income, degree, employment, and background records for that category.
- For Category C, confirm the current quota status before relying on the route.
- Apply online through the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Skilled Migrant Visa
Hong Kong's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is a selective talent route for highly skilled or exceptionally accomplished people who want to settle in Hong Kong without first…
Germany
Germany Researcher Visa
Germany's researcher visa is for people with a hosting agreement or work contract with a German research institution. It generally requires PhD-level or PhD-access academic…
Germany
Germany Work Permit for Employed Artists
Germany's employed artist route is for artists working as employees in Germany's cultural or entertainment sector. It generally requires a German employer and, for stays over…
Sources
- Hong Kong Immigration Department - Top Talent Pass Scheme - official categories, requirements, stay periods, dependents, and extension rules.
- Hong Kong Immigration Department - eligible universities - official eligible-university and category guidance.