Top Talent Pass Scheme for Entrepreneurs (2026)

The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), launched by Hong Kong's Immigration Department in December 2022, is designed to attract high-earning professionals and graduates from world-renowned universities to live and work in Hong Kong.

For entrepreneurs, TTPS represents the most straightforward entry point into Hong Kong. Unlike the General Employment Policy (GEP) or Investment Visa, TTPS requires no employer sponsor, no company setup, and no business plan at the application stage.

Since its launch, over 90,000 applications have been approved, with more than 75,000 talents arriving in Hong Kong with their families. The scheme has become the fastest-growing visa pathway into the city.

Category A: The Path for Successful Entrepreneurs

Category A targets high-income individuals earning HK$2.5 million (approximately US$320,000) or more in the year preceding the application. This is the most relevant category for established entrepreneurs and business owners with a track record of success.

Who qualifies under Category A:

• Founders or co-founders of companies generating significant personal income
• Business owners drawing substantial salary or dividends from company profits
• Serial entrepreneurs with verifiable income history
• C-suite executives planning to launch their own venture in Hong Kong

Key documents needed:

• Tax returns from the past year showing HK$2.5M+ assessable income
• Employment reference letters or company financial statements
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Completed application form ID(E)1040

There is no annual quota for Category A, and no university degree requirement.

Category B: Top University Graduates with Experience

Category B is designed for professionals who graduated from one of the 200 eligible universities on Hong Kong's aggregate list and have at least 3 years of work experience in the past 5 years.

Why this matters for entrepreneurs: many founders hold degrees from top universities but do not meet the HK$2.5M income threshold, especially if they have been reinvesting profits into their startup. Category B provides an alternative entry point that does not depend on personal income.

The aggregate list of 200 eligible universities (updated 1 January 2026) includes institutions from the top 100 of four global rankings (QS, THE, US News, SJTU), plus the top 5 hospitality programmes, top 5 art and design institutions, and top 20 Mainland Chinese universities.

Eligible universities include major US institutions (MIT, Stanford, Harvard), UK universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial), Asian universities (NUS, NTU, HKU, HKUST, Tsinghua, Peking), and European institutions (ETH Zurich, EPFL, IE University). The full list is updated annually by the Immigration Department.

Application requirements:

• Degree certificate from an eligible university
• At least 3 years of post-graduation work experience
• CV demonstrating professional trajectory
• No income threshold

Category C: Recent Graduates

Category C covers graduates of eligible universities with less than 3 years of work experience, subject to an annual quota of 10,000 places (first come, first served). This category suits recent MBA graduates or young entrepreneurs.

Important exclusion: Category C does not apply to non-local students who obtained their undergraduate qualification from a full-time, locally accredited programme in Hong Kong. These graduates should apply through the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) scheme instead.

Yes, and this is the key advantage of TTPS for entrepreneurs.

Unlike the GEP visa (which requires a sponsoring employer) or the Investment Visa (which requires a detailed business plan upfront), TTPS holders have complete flexibility to:

• Register and operate a Hong Kong company as a director, shareholder, or both (limited company, sole proprietorship, or partnership)
• Work for any employer while building your business on the side
• Switch between employment and self-employment without notifying Immigration
• Hire employees through your Hong Kong company
• Open business bank accounts at major Hong Kong banks

No separate business plan or Investment Visa is required during your initial 24 to 36 month stay. You will need a Business Registration Certificate once your company is operational, which also serves as key evidence for your visa renewal.

TTPS also now permits remote employment for an overseas employer, provided your annual income exceeds HK$1,200,000 and you comply with Hong Kong income tax requirements. This can be a useful bridge for entrepreneurs winding down commitments abroad while building their Hong Kong venture.

The only restriction: you must be physically residing and working in Hong Kong. Purely remote arrangements from outside Hong Kong are not compatible with TTPS status.

TTPS holders who maintain continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong for 7 years can apply for permanent residency. This is the same pathway available to all visa holders.

For entrepreneurs, the 7-year clock starts from your TTPS entry date. Your time on TTPS counts toward the 7-year requirement, even if you later switch to an Investment Visa or GEP.

How renewal works

At the end of your initial stay (36 months for Category A, 24 months for Categories B and C), you apply for an extension of stay. You must demonstrate that you are either employed in Hong Kong with a stable income, or that you have established or joined a business in the city.

Extensions are normally granted for up to 3 years, or until the expiry of your employment contract, whichever is shorter.

Top-Tier Employment Stream

If you have been permitted to remain in Hong Kong for at least 2 years under TTPS and your assessable income for salaries tax was HK$2 million or more in the previous year of assessment, you can apply under the Top-Tier Employment Stream. Upon approval, Immigration may grant an extension of up to 6 years in one go, significantly reducing administrative burden and providing long-term stability for your business.

What "continuous ordinary residence" means for entrepreneurs

Hong Kong allows reasonable business travel. You do not need to be physically in Hong Kong every day, but it must be your primary base. Extended absences (6+ months) without returning may jeopardize your permanent residency application.

You can apply for extension of stay up to 3 months (90 days) before your current visa expires, expanded from the previous 4-week window as of November 2024.