One-line direct answer

IANG is the most relaxed stay-in-Hong Kong visa for non-local graduates — non-local degree graduates (bachelor’s or above) who apply within 6 months of graduation receive a first visa of 24 months with no restriction on the type of work and no need for employer sponsorship. The extension milestones follow a 2+3 pattern (a total of 7 years), after which permanent residency may be applied for. It suits all non-local graduates of Hong Kong universities as their first step to staying in Hong Kong.

1. What Is IANG?

IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, 非本地畢業生留港/回港就業安排) is a stay-and-work visa introduced by the Hong Kong Immigration Department in 2008 for non-local degree programme graduates. It was substantially relaxed in 2022 and further extended in 2024 to cover Greater Bay Area (GBA) campus branches (such as CUHK-Shenzhen, CityU Dongguan and HKBU’s Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist joint campus).

Key IANG attributes:

  • Eligible applicants: non-local bachelor’s or higher degree graduates from Hong Kong / GBA campus branches / overseas institutions (first-time Hong Kong application within 6 months of graduation)
  • First visa length: 24 months (since May 2022; previously 12 months)
  • Work restrictions: None — full-time, part-time, self-employment, starting a business or not working are all permitted
  • Employer sponsorship: Not required
  • Extensions: 2 years + 3 years (the 2+3 model); renewal requires proof of “continuous employment”
  • Permanent residency path: Continuous residence for a full 7 years qualifies one to apply for permanent residency
  • Application fee: HK$230 (2026)
  • Processing time: usually 4–6 weeks; up to 12 weeks for complex cases

Data source: Hong Kong Immigration Department IANG page, accessed on 2026-04-26.

2. First-time Application: Criteria and Documents

Eligibility

  1. Non-local resident — holds a mainland or overseas passport / travel document
  2. Holds a bachelor’s or higher degree awarded by a Hong Kong / GBA campus branch / overseas institution
  3. The degree programme is a full-time non-local degree programme (part-time does not qualify)
  4. The first application must be submitted within 6 months of graduation (“graduation” is based on the date on the graduation certificate or the transcript completion date)
  5. No criminal record and in good health

Document checklist

  • Identity card / passport: inner pages + current visa page
  • Proof of study / graduation: official school letter or graduation certificate
  • Transcript: stamped with the school’s official seal
  • Proof of funds: usually a bank deposit of HK$50,000–100,000 (Hong Kong or mainland banks both accepted)
  • Proof of residence: a lawful residential address in Hong Kong or the Greater Bay Area
  • Application form ID 990A: downloaded from the Immigration Department, submitted on paper or online via e-Visa

Note: A first-time application usually does not require an existing offer or proof of employment. This is the core difference between IANG and the General Employment Policy (GEP).

Processing time

Application methods:

  • Online e-Visa (recommended): 4–5 weeks
  • By post to the Immigration Department: 5–6 weeks
  • In person at the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai: 4–6 weeks

If documents are complete and no further information is requested, approval can be granted in around 4 weeks.

3. Second Extension (the 2+3 model)

Extension milestones

  • First visa: 24 months · —
  • First extension: 24 months · 4 weeks before the first visa expires
  • Second extension: 36 months · 4 weeks before the first extension expires
  • Third (may be needed before permanent residency): depending on circumstances · apply for permanent residency after 7 years of residence are met

Total: 24 + 24 + 36 = 84 months = 7 years, meeting the “continuous residence for 7 years” threshold for permanent residency.

Extension conditions

  • Proof of continuous employment: usually requires work proof for the past 12 months (employer’s letter, tax return IR56B, MPF contribution records)
  • Proof of remuneration: at renewal the Immigration Department will review whether the salary is reasonable (there is no hard numerical threshold, but a salary below the industry benchmark may raise questions about “whether the employment is genuine”)
  • Proof of residence: utility bills / tenancy agreement / public housing proof
  • Tax records: tax return IR56G

Note: IANG renewal does not require employer sponsorship, but does require “actually having a job”. If you are in a gap period at renewal (brief unemployment < 6 months), you can usually pass with proof of savings + job-search records; unemployment exceeding 6 months significantly raises the renewal risk.

Common reasons for extension refusal

  1. Tax records and employer’s letter do not match (salary figures do not tally)
  2. MPF contribution gaps — left the job but did not promptly start self-employed MPF
  3. Unreported change of residential address — the Immigration Department cross-checks the tenancy / utility bill address
  4. Frequent short-term job-hopping (one job lasting < 6 months, three times in a row) raises suspicion of “not actually working in Hong Kong”

4. Permanent Residency Path

Permanent residency conditions (the specific meaning of “continuous residence for 7 years”)

Section 2A of the Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance states that a person who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously for 7 years may apply to become a permanent resident of Hong Kong. The specific determination of “ordinarily residing in Hong Kong” (source: Immigration Department guidance):

  1. Time spent in Hong Kong each year ≥ 180 days (not absolute, but advisable to meet)
  2. Principal place of residence is in Hong Kong (tenancy agreement / public housing proof)
  3. Principal work / study activities are in Hong Kong
  4. Tax resident (files salaries tax every year)

Calculation example

  • September 2024: IANG first visa
  • September 2026: first extension
  • September 2028: second extension
  • September 2031: 7 years reached → apply for permanent residency

Note: The residence time during a master’s programme also counts towards the “7 years” — this is the key difference between IANG and QMAS / TTPS (the latter two do not backdate study time). So 1 year of master’s study + 6 years of IANG suffices.

Permanent residency application documents

  • Application form ID 91
  • All IANG visa records within the 7 years
  • 7 years of tax returns (IR56B)
  • 7 years of proof of residence (tenancy agreement / public housing)
  • Current valid visa in Hong Kong

5. IANG vs QMAS / TTPS / GEP (side-by-side comparison)

  • Eligibility: non-local degree graduate within 6 months · 80+ on the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test · annual salary HK$2.5 million+ or a top 100 university · Hong Kong employer sponsorship
  • First visa: 24 months · 24 months · 24 months (Category A) / 24 months (Category B/C) · depends on the employer’s contract
  • Work restrictions: none · none · none · limited to the sponsoring employer
  • Employer sponsorship: not required · not required · not required · mandatory
  • Renewal performance: continuous employment · proof of settlement in Hong Kong + economic activity · working or starting a business in Hong Kong · employer contract renewal
  • 7-year count start for permanent residency: includes study period · excludes study period · excludes study period · excludes study period
  • Difficulty: low (can apply upon graduation) · medium (points + quota) · medium-high (high salary / academic threshold) · medium (employer sponsorship)
  • Suitable for: non-local degree graduates · highly educated overseas professionals with work experience · high-earners / top 100 university alumni · those already holding a Hong Kong offer

IANG’s biggest advantage: the 1 year of master’s study also counts towards the 7 years for permanent residency, which is equivalent to “getting 1 year free”. QMAS, TTPS and GEP all count from when the visa takes effect.

6. Common Pitfalls

  1. Missing the first visa application deadline — the 6-month window after graduation is strict; once missed, only QMAS / GEP remain as routes.
  2. Using a school dormitory as the first visa address — the dormitory may already have been vacated during visa processing, triggering a request for further documents. Use a lawful, stable residence.
  3. Being unemployed exactly at renewal — joining a new employer within 1–3 months before renewal adds points; avoid being in a gap period at the renewal point.
  4. Filing tax but not salaries tax — IANG renewal closely scrutinises the IR56B salaries tax return; self-employed individuals must also file under personal income tax.
  5. GBA campus graduates confusing the definition of “non-local” — holders of mainland permanent resident status may still apply; the key is that the degree programme is a non-local programme. A CUHK degree from CUHK-Shenzhen qualifies.
  6. Holding a dependant visa and IANG at the same time — both may be held simultaneously, but the permanent residency count only includes the continuous residence time under one type of visa, so planning ahead is needed.

7. Timeline Planning

  • 3 months before graduation: prepare IANG application documents (transcript, graduation certificate, proof of funds)
  • Within 1–2 weeks of graduation: submit the first IANG application online via e-Visa
  • 4–6 weeks after application: receive approval, download the e-Visa entry label
  • Within 6 months of the first visa: complete tenancy / tax registration / MPF account
  • 18 months into the first visa (6 months ahead): prepare first extension documents
  • 22 months into the first visa (4 weeks ahead): submit the first extension
  • 4 weeks before the second extension: prepare tax returns / employment proof for renewal
  • At the cumulative 7-year point: apply for permanent residency (4 weeks ahead)

Key reminders

  • Renewal milestone 4 weeks ahead: too early is not accepted, too late may leave a visa gap (mild case: reapplication; severe case: having to leave Hong Kong)
  • Prepare renewal documents 3 months ahead: collecting tax returns takes time
  • Apply for permanent residency 4–6 weeks ahead: permanent residency applications have a long processing time

8. DIY vs Using an Agent

  • Cost: HK$230 application fee · HK$5,000–15,000 service fee + HK$230 application fee
  • Time: 4–8 hours of document preparation + 4–6 weeks of waiting · same waiting time, 4–8 hours less preparation
  • Suitable for: first-time application, complete documents, adequate English · complex renewal (gap period, frequent job changes, special academic background)
  • Risk points: self-service carries a chance of missing documents and triggering further requests · agents’ experience reduces further requests

Recommendations:

  • First-time application: 99% should do it themselves — documents are simple and no complex judgement is needed
  • Renewal + complex background (frequent job-hopping, gap period > 3 months, broken tax records): consider using an agent
  • Permanent residency application: recommended to do it yourself — it is only document preparation, with no room for judgement

Tip: Readers who need professional assistance with IANG renewal may consult a licensed Hong Kong immigration agent (with IANG renewal experience + registered with the HK Law Society).

End-of-article data sources

Last verification date: 2026-04-26

Risk disclosure: This article is a summary of policy and a share of personal experience, and does not constitute legal or immigration agency advice. Specific applications must follow the latest announcements of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.