Hong Kong Work Visa & Permits for Entrepreneurs (2026 Guide)

Hong Kong offers several work visa categories through the Immigration Department (ImmD). The General Employment Policy (GEP) is the most common, for professionals with a confirmed job offer and skills not readily available locally. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) targets high earners (annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more in the preceding year) or graduates of universities on ImmD's aggregate list of eligible universities. The Investment as Entrepreneurs route under the GEP is for entrepreneurs establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong. The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) covers mainland Chinese residents. The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) fast-tracks technology talent hired by companies that hold a TechTAS quota. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a points-based system for talented individuals who do not need a job offer before applying. Each visa has different eligibility criteria, processing times, and renewal patterns.

Yes, but only under specific schemes. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) allows skilled professionals to settle without a prior job offer: applicants are assessed under the General Points Test (age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership) or the Achievement-based Points Test. All three categories of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) admit applicants without a job offer; to extend their stay, they must show they are employed or have established or joined a business in Hong Kong. Non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions who apply within six months of graduating can also stay and work for 24 months under the IANG without a job offer. For GEP, TechTAS and ASMTP, a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer is required before you apply. Freelancing or self-employment requires the Investment as Entrepreneurs route, which has its own business plan and investment requirements.

Processing times vary by visa type and application completeness. Under the General Employment Policy (GEP), ImmD normally takes four weeks after receiving all required documents and the application fee. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Investment as Entrepreneurs route also normally take four weeks. TechTAS applications normally take two weeks once the employing company holds a quota. The QMAS has no published processing time: eligible applications go through a selection exercise by an assessment panel. Dependant applications normally take six weeks. Factors that delay processing include incomplete documentation, requests for additional information, complex corporate structures, and nationality-specific checks. To minimize delays, ensure all documents are complete, notarized where required, and accompanied by a clear cover letter.

Hong Kong does not set a statutory minimum salary for the GEP work visa. However, ImmD assesses whether the remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level for similar roles. In practice, this means your salary should match or exceed what a local professional with equivalent qualifications and experience would earn. The TTPS Category A has an explicit income threshold: applicants must have had an annual income (from employment and/or self-owned companies) of HKD 2.5 million or more in the year preceding the application. TTPS Categories B and C are based on university ranking rather than salary. For the Investment as Entrepreneurs visa, there is no salary requirement per se, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to establish and sustain the business.

Yes, holders of a valid Hong Kong employment visa (GEP, TTPS, QMAS, TechTAS, or Investment as Entrepreneurs) can sponsor dependants. Eligible dependants include your spouse and unmarried children under 18. The sponsor must show the ability to support and accommodate dependants without relying on public assistance; ImmD looks at income and accommodation arrangements. A dependant's limit of stay is normally linked to the sponsor's. Dependants of persons admitted for employment are not prohibited from taking up employment, so they can work without a separate work visa. The dependant application can be submitted together with the principal applicant's application or after approval, and normally takes six weeks. Required documents include the marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, proof of the sponsor's employment, and proof of accommodation in Hong Kong. Each dependant pays the HKD 600 application fee plus HKD 1,300 for a visa of more than 180 days (HKD 1,900 in total).

For most visa categories, yes. The GEP requires a sponsoring employer: a Hong Kong-registered company that offers you a confirmed position and submits the application on your behalf (or jointly). The employer must demonstrate that the role requires skills not readily available in the local workforce. TechTAS requires sponsorship from a company that holds a tech talent quota from the Innovation and Technology Commission. The ASMTP similarly requires employer sponsorship. However, some schemes do not require employer sponsorship: QMAS allows individuals to apply independently based on their qualifications and points score. All three TTPS categories (A, B and C) do not require an employer or a job offer at the time of application. The Investment as Entrepreneurs visa is self-sponsored but requires you to demonstrate a viable business plan and sufficient investment capital.

The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), launched in December 2022, is designed to attract top talent to Hong Kong. It has three categories, none of which requires a job offer. Category A: individuals with an annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more in the year immediately preceding the application. Category B: graduates of universities on ImmD's aggregate list of eligible universities with at least 3 years of work experience in the past 5 years. Category C: graduates of the same universities in the past 5 years with less than 3 years of work experience, subject to an annual quota (currently 10,000). The initial stay is 36 months for Category A and 24 months for Categories B and C. To extend, holders must show they are employed or have established or joined a business in Hong Kong; extensions are normally granted for up to three years. Holders who have stayed at least two years under the TTPS and had assessable income of at least HKD 2 million in the previous year of assessment can normally be granted a six-year extension. By end-January 2026, over 120,000 TTPS applications had been approved (LegCo paper, 23 February 2026).

The GEP application can be submitted online through GovHK or on paper to the Immigration Department (ImmD), whose headquarters moved from Wan Chai to Tseung Kwan O in June 2024. The process involves: (1) The applicant completes Form ID 990A with personal details, qualifications and work history. (2) The employing company completes Form ID 990B with its registration details, business profile and the justification for hiring. (3) Supporting documents include: passport copy, academic certificates, employment references, the employment contract or offer letter, and the employer's business registration certificate and financial statements. (4) Pay the HKD 600 application fee; on approval, the visa fee is HKD 1,300 for a stay of more than 180 days. (5) ImmD normally processes a complete application in four weeks. If approved, ImmD issues an e-Visa. The initial stay is normally 36 months (or the contract length, if shorter), with extensions following the 3-2 year pattern while you remain employed.

Yes, but you must apply for a new work visa with your new employer before starting the new role. Your existing visa is tied to the sponsoring employer, so changing jobs without updating your visa status is a violation of your conditions of stay. The process involves submitting a fresh GEP application with the new employer as sponsor, including all standard documentation. ImmD normally processes a complete GEP application in four weeks. During this period, you may continue working for your current employer on your existing visa. For TTPS holders, the situation is more flexible: since the visa is not employer-specific, you can switch employers or even work for multiple employers without needing a new visa, though you should notify ImmD of your employment status. QMAS visa holders similarly have flexibility to change employment without a new application.

If ImmD rejects your visa application, you will receive a written notification stating the decision. ImmD does not typically provide detailed reasons for refusal. Common reasons for rejection include: insufficient proof that the applicant's skills are not available locally, salary below market rate, incomplete documentation, the employer's inability to demonstrate genuine business need, or concerns about the applicant's background. You can reapply; there is no mandatory waiting period between applications. However, simply resubmitting the same application is unlikely to succeed. Instead, address the likely reasons for refusal: strengthen the employer's justification, provide additional qualifications or references, ensure salary is competitive, and include a detailed cover letter. Engaging an experienced immigration adviser can significantly improve the quality of a resubmission. Some applicants also consider alternative visa categories; for example, if GEP was refused, TTPS or QMAS may be viable depending on qualifications.

Apply for an extension of stay within the three months before your limit of stay expires. Applications can be submitted online through GovHK or with Form ID91 (Application for Extension of Stay), with proof that you still meet the eligibility criteria (such as continued employment), your current passport, and the fees: HKD 600 per application plus HKD 1,300 for an extension of more than 180 days. GEP holders start with an initial stay of 36 months and are then normally granted extensions following the 3-2 year pattern. TTPS holders must show they are employed or running a business in Hong Kong; extensions are normally granted for up to three years, or six years for holders who have stayed at least two years under the TTPS and had assessable income of at least HKD 2 million in the previous year of assessment. Staying beyond your limit of stay breaches your conditions of stay, an offence carrying a maximum fine of HKD 50,000 and imprisonment for 2 years. If you leave Hong Kong before renewal, you can apply for re-entry from abroad.

Yes. After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong on a valid work visa (GEP, TTPS, QMAS, TechTAS, or Investment visa), you can apply for the Right of Abode, which is Hong Kong's permanent residency. Continuous residence means you have been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for 7 consecutive years: short business trips and holidays abroad do not break continuity, but extended absences may. The application is made to ImmD. Permanent residents enjoy: no visa restrictions on employment, the right to vote, access to public housing, and a Hong Kong permanent identity card. You can also apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport, which provides visa-free access or visa-on-arrival in 177 countries and territories. Time spent on different visa types counts cumulatively: for example, 3 years on GEP followed by 4 years on TTPS still qualifies. Dependents can also accumulate their own 7-year residency independently.

Hong Kong operates a territorial tax system: only income sourced in Hong Kong is taxable. Salaries tax is levied on a progressive scale (the first HKD 50,000 at 2%, then 6%, 10%, 14%, and 17% on the remainder), capped at the standard rate: 15% on the first HKD 5 million of net income and 16% on the remainder (from 2024/25). There is no capital gains tax, no VAT/GST, no withholding tax on dividends, and no estate duty. For work visa holders, your employment income is considered Hong Kong-sourced if your services are rendered in Hong Kong. If your employment is located outside Hong Kong, income from services rendered in Hong Kong during visits totalling no more than 60 days in the year of assessment is excluded from tax. Key deductions include mandatory provident fund (MPF) contributions (capped at HKD 18,000 per year), self-education expenses, charitable donations, and home loan interest. The individual tax return (BIR60) must normally be filed within one month of its date of issue.

Health insurance is not a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Hong Kong work visa: ImmD does not require proof of medical insurance as part of the visa application. However, having health coverage is strongly recommended. Hong Kong's public healthcare system (Hospital Authority) is available to eligible residents at subsidized rates: since 1 January 2026, an acute general hospital stay costs HKD 300 per day and a specialist clinic attendance HKD 250 (plus HKD 20 per drug item). Wait times for public healthcare can be long, especially for specialist appointments. Many employers in Hong Kong provide group medical insurance as part of the employment package, often covering private hospital visits and specialist consultations. If your employer does not provide coverage, private premiums vary widely with age and level of cover, so compare quotes. For dependant visa holders, ensure your family is covered under the employer plan or purchase separate policies.

The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is Hong Kong's flagship talent attraction visa launched in December 2022. Eligibility falls into three categories. Category A targets high earners with an annual income of HKD 2.5 million (approximately USD 320,000) or more in the year immediately preceding the application. No job offer or specific educational background is required. Category B targets graduates of universities on ImmD's aggregate list of eligible universities (around 200 institutions, drawn mainly from the top 100 of the QS, Times Higher Education, Shanghai Ranking and US News rankings) who have at least 3 years of work experience in the 5 years before applying. Category C targets graduates of the same universities in the past 5 years with less than 3 years of experience, subject to an annual quota (currently 10,000). No category requires a job offer in Hong Kong. The initial stay is 36 months for Category A and 24 months for Categories B and C. Applicants must also meet normal immigration requirements, such as a clear criminal record. Applications are submitted online through GovHK, and processing normally takes four weeks. By end-January 2026, over 120,000 TTPS applications had been approved.

The General Employment Policy (GEP) is Hong Kong's primary work visa for foreign professionals. To qualify, you must meet four key criteria: (1) You have a confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer. (2) You possess special skills, knowledge, or experience that is not readily available in the local workforce. (3) Your remuneration package is broadly commensurate with the prevailing market rate for similar positions in Hong Kong. (4) You have a good education background: typically a first degree in a relevant field, though equivalent professional qualifications or demonstrated expertise may be accepted. The sponsoring employer must also meet requirements: the company must be registered in Hong Kong, demonstrate genuine business operations, and justify why the position cannot be filled locally. There is no minimum salary threshold, but ImmD will scrutinize offers significantly below market rate. The initial stay is normally 36 months (or the contract length, if shorter), with extensions following the 3-2 year pattern. Application is made via Form ID 990A (for the applicant) and ID 990B (for the employing company), or online through GovHK. Government fees are HKD 600 per application plus HKD 1,300 on approval for a stay of more than 180 days, and processing normally takes four weeks once the file is complete.

Form ID990B is the sponsorship form that must be completed by the Hong Kong employer when applying for a GEP (General Employment Policy) work visa on behalf of a foreign employee. It is the employer's counterpart to Form ID990A (completed by the applicant). The ID990B requires the employer to provide: company registration details (Business Registration Certificate number), nature of business, number of local and foreign employees, the applicant's proposed position and job duties, justification for why the role cannot be filled by a local candidate, and the offered remuneration package. Supporting documents submitted with ID990B include: the company's Business Registration Certificate, latest audited financial statements or management accounts, company profile or brochure, the employment contract or offer letter, and a detailed job description. For companies set up within the last 12 months, ImmD asks for additional documents such as a business plan. You need Form ID990B specifically for GEP applications: TTPS, QMAS, and Investment visa applications use different forms. The form is available for download from the ImmD website and can be submitted online via the e-Visa portal.

The official government fees for the main talent and employment schemes changed on 26 February 2025. Each application (entry, change of conditions of stay or extension of stay) carries a non-refundable HKD 600 application fee. If approved, the visa or entry permit fee is HKD 1,300 for a limit of stay of more than 180 days, or HKD 600 for 180 days or less. A standard GEP or TTPS approval therefore costs HKD 1,900 in government fees, and so does each extension of more than 180 days. Dependants under these schemes pay the same fees. Beyond government fees, you may need document notarization or certification in your home country and courier costs. If you engage an immigration consultant or corporate service provider, their service fees come on top and vary by provider and case. For self-sponsored routes (TTPS, QMAS), the applicant pays the fees.

If you hold a standard GEP employment visa, you are authorized to work only for the employer specified on your visa. Starting your own business or taking on freelance work would violate your conditions of stay. However, there are legitimate pathways. First, you can apply to change your visa category from GEP to Investment as Entrepreneurs visa: this requires a viable business plan, proof of capital investment (there is no fixed minimum, but ImmD expects a meaningful commitment), and evidence that the business will contribute to Hong Kong's economy. Second, if you hold a TTPS visa, the conditions are more flexible: TTPS holders are not restricted to a single employer and may engage in business activities, though you should confirm your specific visa conditions with ImmD. Third, QMAS visa holders similarly have unrestricted employment conditions. Fourth, after obtaining permanent residency (7 years of continuous residence), you can freely start any business with no visa restrictions. Many entrepreneurs use a two-step strategy: enter Hong Kong on a GEP or TTPS visa, build their network and market knowledge, then transition to an Investment visa or wait for PR before launching their venture.