Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme
No job offer required · 2-year initial stay · Permanent residence after 7 years
The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) admits high earners and graduates of eligible universities to Hong Kong without a prior job offer. It grants an initial two-year stay, renewable in a 2+3+3 pattern, and continuous residence for seven years supports an application for Hong Kong permanent residence.
- Typical timeline
- 4–8 weeks
- Initial stay
- 2 years
- Renewal
- 2 + 3 + 3 years
- Permanent residence
- After 7 years of continuous residence
Category C is subject to an annual quota and is allocated on a first-come basis. The eligible-university list and income thresholds are reviewed periodically.
The three categories
| Category | Test | Quota |
|---|---|---|
| A — high income | Annual income of at least HK$2.5 million in the past year, evidenced by tax documents or employer confirmation. | No quota |
| B — graduate with experience | A bachelor’s degree from an eligible university plus at least three years of work experience in the past five years. | No quota |
| C — recent graduate | A bachelor’s degree from an eligible university with less than three years of work experience. | Annual quota, allocated first-come |
The eligible-university list is published by the Hong Kong government and includes leading global universities as well as specified mainland institutions. The list changes, so eligibility should be checked against the current version.
What the scheme does not require
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No job offer — Unlike an employment visa, TTPS does not require a Hong Kong employer to sponsor the applicant before entry.
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No points test — Unlike the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, there is no points-based selection; the applicant either meets a category or does not.
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No investment — There is no capital investment requirement. The test is income or education and experience.
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Family included — A spouse and unmarried children under 18 can apply as dependants and, on approval, join the principal in Hong Kong.
Application sequence
Category confirmation
The applicant confirms which category applies and assembles the matching evidence.
Document preparation
Passport, degree certificate and transcript, employment proof, income documents, and a Hong Kong address proof are prepared.
Online filing
The application is submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department with the supporting documents.
Review
The department reviews the file, may request additional documents, and issues the approval letter.
Visa and activation
The visa is issued, the fee is paid, and the applicant enters Hong Kong to activate the two-year stay.
Settlement
After arrival, the applicant arranges housing, an identity card, and, where relevant, family dependant visas.
Renewal and permanent residence
The first stay is two years. Renewal is granted in a 2+3+3 pattern, subject to the applicant being employed in Hong Kong or otherwise economically active, with income and tax records supporting the renewal. Time spent outside Hong Kong is counted against the seven-year continuous-residence requirement only if it breaks the ordinary-residence test.
Permanent residence in Hong Kong is available after seven years of continuous ordinary residence. The seven years include time spent on TTPS and subsequent extensions, provided the applicant maintains the required connection to Hong Kong.
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Employment is expected at renewal — The scheme is not a passive residence permit; renewal generally requires evidence of work or business activity in Hong Kong.
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Dependants follow the principal — Dependant visas are tied to the principal’s status and are renewed alongside it.
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Gaps matter — Long absences or a break in employment can complicate both renewal and the permanent-residence calculation.
Frequently asked questions
How is TTPS different from the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme?
QMAS is a points-based scheme with periodic selection exercises and no job offer requirement. TTPS is a category-based scheme with a faster, more predictable test — high income, or an eligible degree with experience. Applicants who clearly meet a TTPS category usually prefer it; those who do not may qualify under QMAS.
How is the HK$2.5 million income threshold assessed?
Annual income for the past year, supported by tax assessment, employer letters, and payslips. Salary, bonuses, and certain allowances count; investment returns and one-off asset sales generally do not. The evidence must show the income was actually earned.
What is required to renew?
Generally, employment in Hong Kong or an equivalent economically active status, with income and tax evidence. The scheme expects the holder to be contributing to the Hong Kong economy rather than residing passively.
What does the process cost?
Government visa fees are modest. The larger costs are document preparation, translations, and, after arrival, housing and the practical costs of settling. Service fees depend on the category and whether dependants are included.
Why are TTPS applications refused?
The usual reasons are insufficient proof of income, a degree from an institution not on the eligible list, a quota that has already been filled for Category C, an incomplete address proof, or a criminal or immigration record issue. A corrected application can be submitted.
Can I change employers or be unemployed during the TTPS period?
TTPS is not tied to a specific employer, so changing jobs is permitted. Unemployment at the time of renewal, however, can affect the renewal decision and the continuous-residence calculation for permanent residence.
Talk to an advisor
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Last updated: 2026-11-03