🇭🇰Hong Kong Visa for American Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa

Allows skilled professionals with a confirmed job offer to work in Hong Kong where their skills are not readily available locally.

• Initial stay up to 36 months (or contract duration).
• Extensions follow a 3-2 year pattern.
• Requires confirmed job offer, first degree or equivalent, and market-rate compensation.
• Excludes Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, and Mainland Chinese (who use ASMTP).
• After 7 years continuous residence, eligible for right of abode.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, GEP is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since GEP grants routinely exceed 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244).

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)

Allows Mainland Chinese skilled professionals to work in Hong Kong where their skills are not readily available locally.

• Mainland Chinese equivalent of GEP.
• Requires confirmed job offer and relevant qualifications.
• Extensions follow similar patterns to GEP.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, ASMTP is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since ASMTP grants routinely exceed 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244).

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

Attracts high-earning global talent and graduates of top universities to live and work in Hong Kong without requiring a pre-arranged job offer.

• Category A: annual income HK$2.5M+, granted 36 months.
• Categories B & C: top university graduates, granted 24 months.
• Category C subject to annual quota.
• Extensions up to 3 years; top-tier earners (HK$2M+ salaries tax after 2 years) may receive 6-year extension.
• Excludes Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, TTPS is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since TTPS grants routinely exceed 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244).

Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)

Fast-track admission for technology talent to work in Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector.

• Streamlined procedures since December 2025.
• Parallel quota and visa applications now allowed.
• R&D activity requirement in designated tech areas removed.
• Aimed at tech companies in designated sectors.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, TechTAS is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval; total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244) for multi-year grants.

Technical Professionals Stream (GEP(TP) & ASMTP(TP))

Admission channel under GEP and ASMTP for skilled tradespeople in eight designated trades, targeting applicants aged 18-40.

• Pilot program launched June 2025.
• Total quota of 10,000.
• Entry visas valid 24-36 months depending on qualifications.
• Targets eight specified skilled trades.

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS)

Allows admission of vocational professionals with technical qualifications to work in Hong Kong.

• Targets holders of vocational qualifications.
• Separate scheme from the professional degree-based GEP.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, VPAS is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval; total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244) for multi-year grants.

Foreign Domestic Helper Visa

Entry visa for foreign nationals employed as live-in domestic helpers in Hong Kong households.

• Subject to standard employment contract conditions.
• Helper must be employed by an approved employer, live in the employer's residence, and leave Hong Kong at contract end.
• Not a pathway to permanent residence.

Student Visa / Entry Permit

Permits non-local students to study at approved educational institutions in Hong Kong for the duration of their program.

• Processing takes approximately 6 weeks.
• Stay duration matches program length, max 6 years.
• Undergraduate+ students may take curriculum-related internships, part-time on-campus work (20 hrs/week max), and unrestricted summer employment (Jun 1-Aug 31).
• Certain nationalities (Afghanistan, Cuba, DPRK, some others) face restrictions.
• Forms ID 995A and ID 995B required.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Allows graduates of Hong Kong's locally-accredited full-time degree programs or GBA campus programs to remain or return to Hong Kong to seek employment.

• Recent graduates (within 6 months): processed in ~2 weeks, no job offer required.
• Non-recent graduates (after 6 months): ~4 weeks, job offer required.
• Initial stay 24 months.
• Extension pattern typically 3-3 years.
• Top-tier earners (HK$2M+ annually) receive 6-year extension.
• Quota-free.
• Recipients can freely change employer.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, IANG is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since IANG's initial 24-month grant exceeds 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244).

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

Allows high-net-worth individuals who invest at least HK$30 million in permissible Hong Kong assets to obtain residency.

• Minimum net assets and investment of HK$30 million (approximately USD 3.8M).
• Initial permission to stay up to 24 months.
• Extensions of up to 3 years each.
• Must maintain portfolio requirements continuously.
• Applicants must be 18+.
• Cannot rely on employment or investment returns within HK to support themselves during initial period.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, New CIES is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since the initial 24-month grant exceeds 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244), separate from the HK$30M investment requirement.

Investment as Entrepreneurs

Allows foreign nationals to establish or join a business in Hong Kong that makes a substantial contribution to the local economy.

• No fixed minimum investment threshold; assessed on business plan quality, financial resources, local job creation, and technology/skills contribution.
• Initial stay up to 36 months.
• Extensions follow 3-2 year pattern.
• Local sponsor required.
• Excludes Mainland Chinese, Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea.

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

Attracts highly skilled or talented persons to settle in Hong Kong to enhance economic competitiveness; no pre-arranged job required.

• Two routes: General Points Test (initial 36 months) or Achievement-based Points Test (initial 8 years).
• Applicants must be 18+, financially self-sufficient, clean record, and hold a first degree or equivalent.
• Extensions require proof of settlement.
• Top-tier earners (HK$2M+ assessable salaries income) receive 5-year extension.
• Excludes Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, QMAS is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval.
• Since QMAS grants routinely exceed 180 days, total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244).

Working Holiday Scheme

Allows young adults from participating countries to take an extended working holiday in Hong Kong, combining travel with temporary employment.

• Eligible countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom.
• Age limit 18-30.
• Stay up to 12 months.
• Maintenance funds required (HK$14,000-HK$25,000 depending on nationality).
• Annual quotas per country (100-5,000 slots).
• Employment with same employer limited to 3-12 months depending on nationality.
• Extensions not normally considered.
• Irish, Japanese, and Korean citizens receive free visas.

Dependant Visa / Entry Permit

Allows spouses, unmarried children under 18, and parents (aged 60+, for permanent residents only) to join approved residents or permanent residents in Hong Kong.

• Extensions for initial applications take 6 weeks; renewals 2-3 weeks.
• Stay follows sponsor's permission: spouses/children on 3-3 year pattern; parents on 2-2-3 year pattern.
• Dependants of employed or permanent resident sponsors may work freely; dependants of student sponsors require prior permission to work.
• Same-sex spouses recognized.

Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents Scheme (ASSG)

Allows overseas-born children of Hong Kong permanent residents to settle in Hong Kong even without having been born or raised there.

• Targets second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who were born and raised overseas.
• Quota-free scheme.
• FEE UPDATE: Since 26 Feb 2025, ASSG is one of 10 official 'Specified Schemes' subject to a two-tiered fee: a non-refundable HK$600 application fee plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (approved stay of 180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (approved stay of more than 180 days), payable on approval; total cost is typically HK$1,900 (~USD 244) for multi-year grants.

Training Visa

Permits foreign nationals to come to Hong Kong for training purposes with an approved employer for a limited period.

For structured training programs with a local employer. Not for general study or employment purposes.

Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes

Allows residential care homes for the elderly or persons with disabilities that have genuine local recruitment difficulties to employ imported care workers.

• Jointly administered by the Immigration Department and Social Welfare Department.
• e-Visa granted for up to 24 months or the employment contract term, whichever is shorter, under Standard Employment Contract SWD-ICW-16.
• Workers cannot change employer, post or workplace.
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, DPRK, Nepal and Vietnam are excluded.
• No right of abode acquired.

Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

Allows employers with genuine difficulties recruiting locally to import workers at technician level and below for jobs that cannot be filled by the local workforce.

• Renamed from the Supplementary Labour Scheme effective 4 September 2023; operates under the Employees Retraining Ordinance.
• e-Visa normally granted for up to 24 months or the contract term, whichever is shorter, under Standard Employment Contract LD 294.
• Employer must pay a levy to the Employees Retraining Board.
• Workers cannot change employer, post or workplace, cannot bring dependants, and acquire no right of abode.

Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes (SLIS)

Allows employers in designated sectors (e.g. construction and transport) facing genuine local recruitment difficulties to import labour from outside Hong Kong.

• Sectors administered by designated bureaux/departments and statutory bodies.
• e-Visa normally granted for up to 24 months or the employment contract term, whichever is shorter.
• Workers cannot change employer, post or workplace, cannot bring dependants, and acquire no right of abode.
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, DPRK, Nepal and Vietnam are excluded.