The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) lets high-earning professionals or graduates of top universities move to Hong Kong without a job offer. It has three eligibility categories — based on income, work experience, or recent graduation — each with different validity terms.
Category A — High Income
Annual income of HK$2.5 million or above in the year before applying. 36-month initial validity.
Category B — Experienced Graduates
Bachelor's degree from an eligible university, plus 3+ years' work experience in the past 5 years. 24-month initial validity.
Category C — Recent Graduates
Bachelor's from an eligible university within the past 5 years, under 3 years' experience. Subject to a 10,000/year quota. 24-month validity.
No Job Offer Needed
Approval carries a time limitation only — you're free to work, switch jobs, or start a business.
The Three Eligibility Categories
- Category A (High income): annual income of HK$2.5 million or above (or the foreign-currency equivalent) in the year immediately preceding application — salary, allowances, stock options, or self-employment profits all count.
- Category B (Experienced graduates): a bachelor's degree or above from a university on the official eligible-university list, plus at least 3 years' work experience within the past 5 years.
- Category C (Recent graduates): a bachelor's degree from an eligible university obtained within the past 5 years, with less than 3 years' work experience. This category is subject to an annual quota of 10,000 places, allocated first-come, first-served, and does not apply to non-local students who completed their undergraduate degree locally in Hong Kong.
The eligible-university list is published by Hong Kong Talent Engage and updated annually, drawing on top rankings from Times Higher Education, QS, US News, and the Shanghai (ARWU) ranking, plus specialist hospitality and arts/design school rankings and top Mainland Chinese universities. It's expanded periodically — most recently to 200 institutions from 1 January 2026.
Documents You'll Typically Need
- All categories: recent photo, valid travel document, Hong Kong ID if applicable, and a Mainland-resident employer consent letter where relevant
- Category A: income proof — tax documents, employer certification, or company financial records
- Categories B & C: degree certificate and transcript with third-party verification, plus work-experience evidence for Category B
Validity & Extensions
Category A carries an initial stay of 36 months (extended from 24 months for approvals from October 2024 onward). Categories B and C carry an initial stay of 24 months. Dependants — spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 — can be sponsored alongside the main applicant, with their stay tied to it.
How Long Does It Take?
Per Immigration Department guidance, new applications normally take about four weeks once complete documents are received, and extensions about two to three weeks. Actual timing varies with case complexity and volume.
Applying for TTPS, Step By Step
Category Assessment
We confirm which category — A, B, or C — fits your income, qualifications, and experience, and check your university against the current list.
Documentation Preparation
We help gather and verify income, degree, or experience evidence to the standard the category requires.
Submission & Follow-Through
We file the application and manage correspondence with the Immigration Department until a decision is issued.
Income or university not quite matching a TTPS category?
Category A, B, and C each have thresholds on paper — but how your income, experience, or qualifications are presented can make the difference. Let's see where you actually stand before you count yourself out.
Top Talent Pass Scheme Questions
Do I need a job offer to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme?
No. TTPS is specifically designed so you don't need a confirmed job offer in Hong Kong before applying, for any of its three categories. Once approved, you're free to work, change jobs, or start a business.
What is the income threshold for TTPS Category A?
Category A requires an annual income of HK$2.5 million or above (or the foreign-currency equivalent) in the year immediately before your application — including salary, allowances, stock options, or self-employment profits, assessed case by case.
What if my university isn't one of the officially listed institutions?
Categories B and C both require a bachelor's degree from a university on the official eligible-university list, which is reviewed and updated annually. If your university isn't currently listed, Category B and C aren't available to you, but Category A (based on income) or another visa route may still apply — we'll assess your full profile.
Can my family come with me under TTPS?
Yes. Your spouse or civil partner and unmarried children under 18 can be sponsored as dependants, with their stay tied to your own TTPS status.
Last reviewed August 20, 2026 against current Immigration Department guidance. Hong Kong immigration policy changes periodically — this page is for general information only, not a guarantee of eligibility or outcome. Book a consultation and we'll confirm exactly how current rules apply to your situation.
Think you qualify for TTPS?
We'll check your income, university, and experience against all three categories and recommend the strongest path.
Get a Free Preliminary Consultation