Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Visa

Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): Categories A, B and C Explained

The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) lets high earners, graduates of top global universities, and experienced professionals secure a multi-year Hong Kong residence and work visa without a prior job offer or existing company. It is the fastest-to-obtain of Hong Kong’s major immigration routes, though renewal now requires proof of genuine local economic activity.

The Three TTPS Categories

Category	Who it’s for	Core requirement
Category A	High earners	Annual taxable income of at least HK$2.5 million in the preceding 12 months
Category B	Experienced professionals	Bachelor’s degree from an eligible university (per the government’s Aggregate List) plus 3+ years of post-graduation work experience within the last 5 years
Category C	Recent graduates	Degree from an eligible university, under 3 years of work experience; capped at 10,000 places per year, first-come first-served

Category A: Income Requirements in Detail

Income must be taxable employment or business income (salary, allowances, stock options, documented distributions from self-owned enterprises).
Passive investment income, capital gains, and non-taxable asset transfers do not count.
Applicants must submit official tax assessment notices from a competent national revenue authority — internal company letters or accounts are not sufficient.
Category A has no educational requirement, making it well-suited to entrepreneurs and business founders without a formal degree.

Categories B and C: Academic Requirements in Detail

The degree must come from an institution on the government’s Aggregate List of Eligible Universities, which tracks QS, Times Higher Education, and Academic Ranking of World Universities rankings.
A master’s or doctorate cannot substitute for a non-qualifying bachelor’s degree — the undergraduate institution must itself be on the list.
Independent third-party qualification authentication reports are required at the initial application stage.
Category B work experience is cross-checked against employment contracts, tax records, and social security filings.

Initial Stay and Work Rights

Category	Initial stay	Work rights
A	3 years	Unrestricted — start a business, take employment, or switch employers freely
B / C	2 years	Unrestricted — same open work-permit conditions as Category A

Dependants (spouses, legal partners, and unmarried children under 18) receive full residency rights with unrestricted employment and study privileges, aligned to the principal applicant’s visa duration.

The Renewal Challenge: Proving Genuine Economic Integration

This is the part advisors most need to plan for. TTPS extensions run on a three-plus-three-year cycle, but approval depends on demonstrating a genuine economic footprint in Hong Kong by the renewal date — either:

Bona fide local employment commensurate with degree-holder status at market-rate pay, or
An established, substantive commercial business in Hong Kong.

The Immigration Department actively screens out nominal or contrived employment by examining Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions, corporate tax returns, commercial leases, and local hiring evidence. Treat the initial visa term as an active implementation window, not a passive holding period — a lack of tangible local economic contribution at the renewal milestone will result in refusal.

Many TTPS holders satisfy the renewal test by starting their own Hong Kong company rather than seeking local employment. If that’s your plan, see our guide to Hong Kong company formation and bank account setup.

Professional Service Fees

Item	Cost (USD)
Main applicant	$4,000
Each dependant	$2,000
Government fee	$250 per passport

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer to apply for the Top Talent Pass?

No. The TTPS is designed to be obtained without a prior local job offer or existing Hong Kong company — this is its core advantage over standard employment visas.

What income counts toward the HK$2.5 million Category A threshold?

Only taxable employment or business income such as salary, allowances, stock options, and documented distributions from a self-owned enterprise. Passive investment income and capital gains are excluded.

Can a master's degree from a non-listed university still qualify for Category B?

No. The undergraduate degree itself must come from an institution on the government’s Aggregate List of Eligible Universities — a higher degree cannot substitute for a non-qualifying bachelor’s degree.

How many people are accepted under Top Talent Pass Category C each year?

Category C is capped at 10,000 places annually, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to recent graduates with under 3 years of experience.

What do I need to show to renew my Top Talent Pass visa?

At renewal, you must show either genuine local employment at market-rate pay commensurate with your qualifications, or an established, substantive business in Hong Kong — verified through MPF records, tax filings, and lease agreements.