Hong Kong talent visa comparison: TTPS, QMAS, GEP/ASMTP and IANG

The Immigration Department's published rules for the TTPS (Categories A, B and C shown separately), QMAS, GEP (with ASMTP) and IANG in one table, plus a quick filter to see which schemes' basic conditions you appear to meet.

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Quick filter

Pick your situation and the table marks the schemes whose basic conditions you appear to meet. Everything stays in your browser. Items you leave blank show as “depends on other conditions”.

Comparison table

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TTPS (Categories A/B/C), QMAS, GEP, ASMTP and IANG compared
Item	TTPS Category A Top Talent Pass Scheme	TTPS Category B Top Talent Pass Scheme	TTPS Category C Top Talent Pass Scheme	QMAS Quality Migrant Admission Scheme	GEP General Employment Policy	ASMTP Mainland residents	IANG Non-local graduates
Who it is for	High earners with annual income of HK$2,500,000 or above in the year before application.	Degree graduates of eligible universities with at least 3 years of work experience in the 5 years before application.	Degree graduates of eligible universities who graduated within 5 years and have less than 3 years of experience. Not open to non-local students whose undergraduate degree came from a full-time, locally accredited Hong Kong programme.	Highly skilled or talented people who wish to settle in Hong Kong, assessed under the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test.	Professionals with special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Hong Kong. Does not apply to Mainland residents.	Mainland residents with special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Hong Kong.	Non-local graduates (studied on a student visa) with a bachelor’s degree or above from a full-time, locally accredited Hong Kong programme, and graduates of full-time programmes at Greater Bay Area jointly run campuses.
Job offer needed first?	No. A Hong Kong job offer is not required when applying.	No. A Hong Kong job offer is not required when applying.	No. A Hong Kong job offer is not required when applying.	No. A local job offer is not required when applying.	Yes. A confirmed offer is required, in a job relevant to your qualifications or experience that cannot readily be filled locally.	Yes. A confirmed offer is required, in a job relevant to your qualifications or experience that cannot readily be filled locally.	Not within 6 months of the date on the graduation certificate. After that an offer is needed, at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and at market pay.
Qualification	The official Category A criterion is income only; no qualification requirement is listed.	A bachelor’s degree from an institution on the aggregate list of eligible universities (equivalent to a recognised Hong Kong bachelor’s degree; honorary bachelor’s degrees are not accepted). Qualifications from continuing and professional education arms, branch, extension or subsidiary schools of those universities are not accepted. Third-party credential verification is required.	A bachelor’s degree from an institution on the aggregate list of eligible universities (equivalent to a recognised Hong Kong bachelor’s degree; honorary bachelor’s degrees are not accepted). Qualifications from continuing and professional education arms, branch, extension or subsidiary schools of those universities are not accepted. Third-party credential verification is required.	Normally a first degree from a recognised university or tertiary institution; in special circumstances good technical qualifications, proven professional ability or achievements supported by documents may be considered.	Normally a first degree in the relevant field; in special circumstances good technical qualifications, proven professional ability, experience or achievements supported by documents may be accepted.	Normally a first degree in the relevant field; in special circumstances good technical qualifications, proven professional ability, experience or achievements supported by documents may be accepted.	A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree with a study period of at least one academic year, or a Hong Kong Qualifications Framework Level 5 or above qualification with 120 or more credits and at least one academic year of study, awarded by an authorised Hong Kong post-secondary institution.
Income / experience threshold	Annual income (salary, allowances, stock options and profits from a self-owned company; personal investment income excluded) of HK$2,500,000 or above in the year before application.	At least 3 years of full-time work or self-employment in the 5 years before application. No income threshold is set.	Less than 3 years of work experience. No income threshold is set.	The General Points Test has 12 assessment criteria and a passing threshold; the Achievement-based Points Test has 2 criteria (for example an Olympic medal or Nobel prize). The scheme page states no passing score: check with the Immigration Department.	No fixed salary figure. The package (income, accommodation, medical and other benefits) must be broadly in line with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong.	No fixed salary figure. The package (income, accommodation, medical and other benefits) must be broadly in line with the prevailing market level for professionals in Hong Kong.	No income threshold. At extension you need an offer at a level commonly taken up by degree holders with market-level pay, or proof of a business.
Quota	The official page mentions a quota only for Category C; none is listed for A or B.	The official page mentions a quota only for Category C; none is listed for A or B.	Subject to an annual quota, first come, first served.	No quota figure is stated on the scheme page or in the Guidance Notes; check with the Immigration Department.	Quota-free and not sector-specific. (The Technical Professionals Stream is subject to a quota and limited to specific trades; it targets experienced non-degree professionals aged 18 to 40.)	Quota-free and not sector-specific. (The Technical Professionals Stream is subject to a quota and limited to specific trades; it targets experienced non-degree professionals aged 18 to 40.)	Quota-free and not sector-specific.
First stay granted	36 months on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay. The initial stay can be granted only once.	24 months on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay. The initial stay can be granted only once.	24 months on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay. The initial stay can be granted only once.	General Points Test: 36 months. Achievement-based Points Test: 8 years. Both on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay.	36 months (or the length of the employment contract if shorter), on employment condition.	36 months (or the length of the employment contract if shorter), on employment condition.	24 months on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay.
Extensions	Apply within 3 months before the stay expires, showing stable employment in Hong Kong or an established or joined business. Normally up to 3 years or until the contract ends, whichever is shorter. Top-tier applicants (permitted to stay at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 6 years.	Apply within 3 months before the stay expires, showing stable employment in Hong Kong or an established or joined business. Normally up to 3 years or until the contract ends, whichever is shorter. Top-tier applicants (permitted to stay at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 6 years.	Apply within 3 months before the stay expires, showing stable employment in Hong Kong or an established or joined business. Normally up to 3 years or until the contract ends, whichever is shorter. Top-tier applicants (permitted to stay at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 6 years.	General Points Test: extensions normally follow a “3+2” year pattern, showing you have settled and contributed (for example through employment or business). Top-tier applicants (permitted to stay at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) normally get 5 years. Achievement-based Points Test: after 8 years you must show you can support yourself and dependants.	Normally a “3+2” year pattern on employment condition; a change of employer needs prior approval. Top-tier professionals (employed as a professional for at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 5 years on time limitation only and need only notify a change of employer.	Normally a “3+2” year pattern on employment condition; a change of employer needs prior approval. Top-tier professionals (employed as a professional for at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 5 years on time limitation only and need only notify a change of employer.	Normally a “3+3” year pattern; at extension you need an offer at a level commonly taken up by degree holders with market-level pay, or proof of a business. Top-tier applicants (permitted to stay at least 2 years and assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2,000,000 in the previous tax year) may get 6 years.
Fees	Application fee HK$600 (non-refundable) plus visa issuance fee HK$1,300 (where the period exceeds 180 days; HK$600 for 180 days or less). The principal applicant and each dependant pay separately. Extensions carry their own application and issuance fees.
Processing time (only where published)	Normally 4 weeks once all documents and the fee are received.	Normally 4 weeks once all documents and the fee are received.	Normally 4 weeks once all documents and the fee are received.	No fixed processing time is published (selection exercises are held periodically); check with the Immigration Department.	Normally 4 weeks once all documents and the fee are received.	Normally 4 weeks once all documents and the fee are received.	About 2 weeks within 6 months of graduation and 4 weeks afterwards; longer in the June to August summer rush.
Dependants	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, provided you can support and accommodate them without public assistance.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.	May apply to bring a spouse (including a legally recognised same-sex or opposite-sex partnership) and unmarried dependent children under 18, with proof of a genuine relationship and the ability to support and accommodate them. Dependants may work or study in Hong Kong.
Route to permanent residence	The Immigration Department says the same for every scheme: a person who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law. See the Permanent Residence Period Checker for how the 7 years are counted.

Extensions are normally finished in about 2 to 3 weeks once documents and fees are received. Apply within 3 months before the stay expires and in any case at least 6 weeks before.

Mainland residents also need the Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with the relevant endorsement. Mainland applicants under QMAS and the TTPS must also submit a letter of consent from their present employer or the relevant Mainland authority.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are excluded from the TTPS, QMAS, GEP and IANG, and nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam have narrower access to IANG. Follow the Immigration Department’s wording.

TTPS Eligible University List · PR residence period checker

How the rules work

The Top Talent Pass Scheme has three categories. Category A: annual income of HK$2,500,000 or above in the year before application. Category B: degree graduate of an eligible university with at least 3 years of work experience in the 5 years before application. Category C: graduate of an eligible university within the past 5 years with less than 3 years of experience, subject to an annual quota. None requires a Hong Kong job offer at the time of application.
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme first requires four prerequisites (age 18 or above, financial self-sufficiency, good character, normally a first degree). Applicants then choose the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test and go through periodic selection exercises. The official guidance states that reaching the passing threshold does not mean approval.
The General Employment Policy requires a confirmed job offer in a role relevant to your qualifications or experience that cannot readily be filled locally, at pay broadly in line with the market for professionals. GEP does not apply to Mainland residents, who use the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) on the same criteria. Both are quota-free and not sector-specific.
IANG covers non-local graduates of full-time, locally accredited programmes in Hong Kong, and graduates of full-time programmes at Greater Bay Area campuses jointly run by Mainland and Hong Kong universities. An application within 6 months of the date on the graduation certificate does not need a job offer; later applications do.
Application and visa issuance fees are the same for every scheme (see the fee row). The table lists only what the Immigration Department has published; items it has not published (for example the QMAS quota and passing score) say “check with the Immigration Department” rather than guessing.
The table and the filter compare basic thresholds only. They do not score you or predict outcomes. The Director of Immigration has absolute discretion over every application, and criteria may change without notice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between the TTPS, QMAS, GEP and IANG?

The TTPS and QMAS do not require a Hong Kong job offer in advance. The TTPS looks at income or an eligible-university degree plus work experience; QMAS goes through a points test and selection. GEP requires a job offer first, with ASMTP for Mainland residents. IANG is for non-local graduates of Hong Kong or Greater Bay Area campus programmes.

Can I rely on this table instead of the Immigration Department pages?

No. This table is a summary and the criteria can change at any time. Check the Immigration Department's scheme pages and current application guidance before you apply.

Does “basic conditions appear to match” mean I will be approved?

No. The filter only compares a few published thresholds. It does not score you and cannot see credential verification, character checks or whether a job qualifies. The Director of Immigration has absolute discretion over each application.

What are the QMAS quota and passing score?

Neither the Immigration Department's QMAS page nor its Guidance Notes (ID 982) states a quota figure or a passing score; the Guidance Notes only say the threshold can change and refer readers to the department's website. This site does not quote unofficial numbers.

How long before I can apply for permanent residence?

The Immigration Department says the same for each scheme: people who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law. The Permanent Residence Period Checker on this site can estimate how the 7 years are counted and the date.

Sources and data dates

Data as of: Scheme pages and fee table of the Immigration Department as read on 8 October 2026 (the department may change the criteria at any time)
Checked on: 2026-10-08

Every parameter was checked against the official pages listed here and will be revised when they change. Where an official page is silent or ambiguous, this page says to rely on the official source.

Disclaimer

These results are general information only. They are not tax, legal or financial advice and do not guarantee any outcome. Actual amounts and eligibility are decided by the Immigration Department and the other bodies concerned.

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