Hong Kong Visa & Work Permit Complete Guide 2026 | TTPS, QMAS, Employment & Investment Visas

Hong Kong is Asia's international financial hub, actively attracting top-tier talent in finance, law, IT, and technology. Its low 15% salary tax cap and newly introduced talent schemes are major drawcards.

Main Visa Types

Employment Visa

The most common visa for foreigners employed by Hong Kong companies. Employers apply to the Immigration Department.

• Application fee: HKD 230
• Validity: Up to 2 years (renewable)
• Requirements: Skills, knowledge, or experience "not readily available in Hong Kong"
• Processing time: typically 4–6 weeks

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

A fast-track scheme introduced in October 2022. Can be obtained without a job offer (but employment must be secured within 2 years).

• Category A: Annual income of HKD 2,500,000+ in the past year
• Category B: Graduate of a top-100 world university with 3+ years' work experience
• Category C: Graduate of same category university within the past 5 years with annual income HKD 1,500,000+
• Validity: 2 years (converts to standard employment visa after hiring)
• Over 60,000 applications received by end of 2023

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

Points-based scheme for high-skilled individuals without a job offer.

• General Points Test: Scored on age, education, work experience, language ability, family background
• Achievement-Based Points Test: For internationally recognized achievers (awards, elite sports, etc.)
• Annual quota (expanded in recent years to several thousand)
• Application fee: HKD 600 (revised February 2025)

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

Revived investment immigration scheme reopened in March 2023.

• HKD 30,000,000+ invested in eligible Hong Kong assets (stocks, bonds, deposits, etc.)
• Real estate is explicitly excluded (key difference from the old scheme)
• Application fee: HKD 10,000 (initial stage)

Tax & Living Notes

Salaries Tax

• Progressive: 2% / 6% / 10% / 14%
• Standard rate cap: 15% of total income (whichever is lower)
• Effective rate often comes out to 10–12% after allowances and deductions
• Profits Tax (corporate): 16.5%

MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund)

• Both employer and employee each contribute 5% of salary (capped at HKD 1,500/month each)
• Withdrawable from age 65

Housing: Hong Kong rent is among the world's highest. A 1-bedroom in Central/Sheung Wan runs HKD 20,000–35,000. Even in Kowloon (Jordan, Mong Kok), expect HKD 12,000–20,000+.

Cost Summary

Pre-Move Checklist

1. Political and social changes: Significant shifts since 2020 — always verify current regulations from official sources
2. High housing costs: Often 2–3x higher than major Japanese cities — thorough MoveWorth simulation is strongly recommended
3. MPF lock-up: Contributions are inaccessible until age 65 — consider liquidity implications
4. TTPS employment requirement: Must secure employment within 2 years of entry; extension is not granted for purely residential stays
5. Permanent residency: Achievable after 7 years of ordinary residence in Hong Kong

Hong Kong combines a low tax rate, world-class financial infrastructure, and strong English proficiency — but the extremely high housing costs and evolving social environment require careful consideration before committing to a move.

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References

This article is based on the following official sources.

• QMAS (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme): HKID – QMAS Official Page
• TTPS (Top Talent Pass Scheme): HKID – TTPS Official Page
• All Talent Admission Schemes: HKID – Schemes Overview