The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) allow non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong to apply to stay in or return to the city for employment, and applicants who apply within six months after the date of graduation shown on the graduation certificate are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application (Immigration Department, IANG page). Successful applicants may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page). The scheme is quota-free and non-sector specific, and the same arrangement covers graduates of specified mainland campuses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Who the scheme covers
Non-local graduates
IANG covers non-local students who obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong, awarded by an authorised post-secondary institution in Hong Kong; the list of such institutions appears in the Annex of ID 991 (Immigration Department, IANG page). Under the official criteria, “undergraduate or higher qualification” means either:
- a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree with a study period of not less than one academic year; or
- a qualification from a programme accredited at Hong Kong Qualifications Framework Level 5 or above with QF credit of 120 or above, with a study period of not less than one academic year.
Both limbs carry the one-academic-year study requirement (Immigration Department, IANG page). Programmes falling outside either description are not covered by the wording set out on the official page.
Greater Bay Area campus graduates
The arrangement also covers persons who obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time programme offered by a higher education institution in a Mainland city of the Greater Bay Area jointly established by Mainland and Hong Kong universities under the Regulations of the PRC on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (Immigration Department, IANG page). The official page treats these “GBA campus graduates” under the same recent and non-recent graduate rules described below.
Nationality exceptions
IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of) (Immigration Department, IANG page). For nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam, the scheme applies only to those holding an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally-accredited programme offered by University Grants Committee (UGC) funded universities, and to GBA campus graduates; the official page expressly excludes self-financing programmes, continuing and professional education arms, and exchange or short-term study from that UGC-funded category (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Recent and non-recent graduates: the six-month rule
The dividing line is the date of graduation shown on the graduation certificate (Immigration Department, IANG page).
| Applicant type | Offer of employment needed on application? | First stay granted |
|---|---|---|
| Recent graduate (applies within six months after the graduation date) | Not required | 24 months, time limitation only, no other conditions of stay |
| Non-recent graduate (applies beyond six months after the graduation date) | Required; favourably considered if the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level | 24 months, time limitation only, no other conditions of stay |
| GBA campus graduate | Same rules as above, by reference to the same six-month line | 24 months, time limitation only, no other conditions of stay |
Graduates who have not yet secured their graduation results may apply for an extension of stay to wait for the results, and those who do not hold a certificate may apply by producing proof from the institution confirming graduation (Immigration Department, IANG page).
How to apply
- Complete the online application.
- Upload the supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application.
- Wait for the e-Visa to be issued if the application is approved.
Documents not in Chinese or English require a certified translation (Immigration Department, IANG page). Mainland applicants need an Exit-entry Permit (EEP) and an exit endorsement; Mainland applicants already in the HKSAR may apply for the exit endorsement through China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited after the e-Visa is issued (Immigration Department, IANG page). Non-Mainland residents present a valid travel document together with the e-Visa (Immigration Department, IANG page). The official page does not state a processing time for first applications.
Fees
IANG is a specified scheme under the Immigration Department’s fee structure introduced with effect from 26 February 2025 (Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page).
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | HK$600 | Non-refundable, payable on application; also payable for extension applications |
| Visa issuance fee (relevant period more than 180 days) | HK$1,300 | Payable upon approval |
| Visa issuance fee (relevant period not more than 180 days) | HK$600 | Payable upon approval |
The same fees apply to each applicant and to each dependant (Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page). For an e-Visa stating a fixed limit of stay of six months or more, the issuance fee is HK$1,300; on that basis an initial application attracting a 24-month e-Visa costs HK$1,900 per person (Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page). The application fee is non-refundable in any circumstance, and refused, cancelled or withdrawn applications do not receive a refund (Immigration Department, IANG page; Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page). Applications submitted before 11 a.m. on 26 February 2025 were charged under the previous fee structure (Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page).
Conditions of stay
Persons admitted on time limitation only without other conditions of stay are free to take up and change employment during their permitted stay without prior approval from the Director of Immigration (Immigration Department, IANG page). No sectoral restriction attaches to the permission, and the scheme is non-sector specific (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Dependants may apply under the prevailing dependant policy, which covers a spouse or recognised partner and unmarried children under 18; a dependant’s stay is normally linked to that of the sponsor (Immigration Department, IANG page). The mechanics of dependant applications are set out separately in the dependant visa guide.
Extension of stay
The initial stay is 24 months (Immigration Department, IANG page). Extension applications follow this sequence:
- Apply online within three months before the limit of stay expires.
- Apply at least six weeks before expiry.
- Pay the fee.
- Submit proof of employment or business.
Processing of extension applications takes about two to three weeks (Immigration Department, IANG page). On extension, applicants must have secured an offer of employment at a level commonly taken up by degree holders with remuneration at market level, and those who have established or joined a business must produce proof of business (Immigration Department, IANG page). Successful applicants are normally permitted to remain on a “3-3” year pattern, again on time limitation only without other conditions of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Top-tier employment stream
Applicants who have been permitted to remain under IANG for not less than two years and whose assessable income for salaries tax was not less than HK$2,000,000 in the previous year of assessment are normally granted six years on time limitation only without other conditions of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Seven years and the right of abode
Persons admitted under IANG who have ordinarily resided in the HKSAR for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode (Immigration Department, IANG page). Non-permanent residents need no re-entry visa if they return within the permitted limit of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page). The calculation of the continuous period is addressed in the seven-year permanent residence guide, and the application itself is covered in the permanent residence application guide.
Comparison with the General Employment Policy
| Feature | IANG | General Employment Policy (GEP) |
|---|---|---|
| Quota and sector | Quota-free, non-sector specific | Quota-free, non-sector specific |
| Job offer on first application | Not required for recent graduates; required beyond six months after graduation | A confirmed offer of employment is required |
| Basis of assessment | Undergraduate or higher qualification from a qualifying Hong Kong or GBA campus programme | Special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR; normally a first degree in the relevant field; a genuine vacancy the local work force cannot readily fill |
| First stay | 24 months, time limitation only | Normally 36 months on employment condition, or the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter |
| Change of employment | Permitted without prior approval | Prior approval of the Director of Immigration required |
| Extension pattern | ”3-3” year pattern, time limitation only | ”3-2” year pattern, on employment condition, or contract duration, whichever is shorter |
| Top-tier stream | Six years, where the applicant has remained under IANG for not less than two years with assessable income of not less than HK$2,000,000 | Five years, where the professional has been permitted to take up employment under GEP for not less than two years with assessable income of not less than HK$2,000,000 |
| Nationality bars | Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of); restricted scope for Laos, Nepal and Vietnam | Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of); Chinese residents of the Mainland are directed to ASMTP |
Sources for the GEP column: Immigration Department, General Employment Policy page.
Common misunderstandings
Misunderstanding: every IANG applicant must hold a job offer. Under the official criteria, applicants who apply within six months after the graduation date are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application; the requirement applies to those applying beyond six months (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Misunderstanding: any qualification earned in Hong Kong qualifies. The official criteria require an undergraduate or higher qualification — defined as a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree with a study period of not less than one academic year, or a qualification from a programme accredited at Hong Kong Qualifications Framework Level 5 or above with QF credit of 120 or above and a study period of not less than one academic year — awarded by an authorised post-secondary institution in a full-time and locally-accredited programme (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Misunderstanding: all nationals may use the scheme. The official page states that IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of), and that for nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam it is confined to UGC-funded university programmes meeting the stated description (excluding self-financing programmes, continuing and professional education arms, and exchange or short-term study) and to GBA campus graduates (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Misunderstanding: an IANG holder is tied to the sponsoring employer. Persons on time limitation only without other conditions of stay are free to take up and change employment during their permitted stay without prior approval from the Director of Immigration (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Misunderstanding: the fee is returned if the application fails. The application fee is non-refundable in any circumstance, and refused, cancelled or withdrawn applications do not receive a refund of the application fee (Immigration Department, IANG page; Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page).
Misunderstanding: extension follows automatically from the first grant. On extension applicants must have secured an offer of employment at a level commonly taken up by degree holders with market-level remuneration, or produce proof of business where they have established or joined a business (Immigration Department, IANG page).
FAQ
Does an offer of employment have to be in hand at the time of application? Not for recent graduates, defined by reference to the date of graduation shown on the graduation certificate; those applying beyond six months must secure an offer of employment (Immigration Department, IANG page).
How long is the first period of stay? Successful applicants may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page).
When should an extension be filed? The online application should be made within three months before expiry, and at least six weeks before expiry, with the fee paid; processing takes about two to three weeks (Immigration Department, IANG page).
What are the fees? An application fee of HK$600, non-refundable, plus a visa issuance fee of HK$1,300 where the relevant period is more than 180 days or HK$600 where it is not, for each applicant and each dependant (Immigration Department, specified schemes fee page).
Can dependants accompany an IANG holder? Dependants may apply under the prevailing dependant policy, covering a spouse or recognised partner and unmarried children under 18, with the dependant’s stay normally linked to the sponsor (Immigration Department, IANG page).
What distinguishes the top-tier employment stream? Under the official criteria, applicants permitted to remain under IANG for not less than two years with assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2,000,000 in the previous year of assessment are normally granted six years on time limitation only without other conditions of stay (Immigration Department, IANG page).
Immigration arrangements and fees may change without notice, and the official pages of the Immigration Department prevail over any summary.
Sources
- Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, Immigration Department — page date 29-04-2026
- New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes; Fee Tables, Immigration Department — fee structure effective 26 Feb 2025; page Last-Modified 20 Oct 2025; fee tables page Last-Modified 8 Apr 2026
- General Employment Policy, Immigration Department — page date 16-04-2026