Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): Application Guide for 2026
Última actualización: 2 de junio de 2026
Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) remains uncapped for 2026-2027, letting qualifying professionals obtain a 24-month work visa without a prior job offer. Below are the exact eligibility rules, document checklist, fees, and common mistakes to avoid.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Eligibility: Three Categories You Can Fit Into
Category | Core Requirement | Quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
A – High-income earners | HKD 3.5 million annual income in the 12 months before application | None | Income includes salary, bonus, stock options, business profits, etc. |
B – Experienced graduates | Degree from one of 185 world top-100 universities (2025-2026 QS, THE, ARWU rankings) + 3+ years of post-graduation work experience | None | University list updated 1 Jan 2026 |
C – Recent graduates | Same top-100 university list, but <3 years of work experience | 10,000 places for 2026-2027 | 7,842 places issued as of 31 May 2026 |
Additional baseline rules that apply to every category:
- Valid passport with ≥6 months remaining validity
- Clean criminal record: certificate issued within the past 12 months covering every country where you have lived 12 months or more since age 18
- No language proficiency test required
If you are already in Hong Kong on a visitor visa, you may submit the TTPS application without leaving the territory; in-country change of status has been permitted since 1 Jan 2026.
Document Checklist: What to Upload
Upload every file as a PDF or high-resolution JPG ≤ 5 MB per file. English or Chinese versions are accepted; any other language must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Identity & Travel
- Passport photo page (all applicants)
- Passport-size photograph (white background, taken within 6 months)
Proof of Eligibility
- Category A: Tax returns, payslips, employment contracts, share option agreements, or audited financial statements showing the full HKD 3.5 million in the 12-month period.
- Category B & C: Degree certificate(s) plus transcript(s) showing the award date; verification letter from university if certificate does not clearly state the graduation date.
- Category B only: Employment contracts, reference letters, payslips, or tax records to evidence ≥3 years of post-graduation work experience.
Criminal Record & Background
- Criminal record certificate for every jurisdiction listed above (original + certified translation if not in English/Chinese).
Dependants (if applicable)
- Passport for spouse and each unmarried child under 18.
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate as proof of relationship.
- Custody documents for children if only one parent is applying.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Create account at Hong Kong Immigration Department Online Application Portal.
- Select "Top Talent Pass Scheme" and answer the eligibility quiz.
- Upload documents in the order shown above; the portal auto-renames files so keep names simple.
- Pay HKD 230 per applicant (credit card, PPS, or FPS). Each dependant adds HKD 230.
- Download and print the acknowledgment slip containing your reference number.
- Standard processing: 4 weeks from the date all documents are accepted. 92 % of cases completed within this window Jan-May 2026.
- Receive e-visa label by email; print it, then present it with your passport at immigration clearance on arrival.
- Within 30 days of arrival, book an appointment at any Registration of Persons Office to obtain your Hong Kong Identity Card (first card is free).
Fees & Processing Time Summary
Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
TTPS application | HKD 230 | One-time, non-refundable |
Each dependant | HKD 230 | Added during the same transaction |
Standard processing | 4 weeks | Measured from the day the last required document is received |
HKID card | Free | First card only; replacements charged |
Extension Rules After 24 Months
Submit extension within 4 weeks before visa expiry using the “e-Extension” portal launched 1 March 2026.
Extension Criteria (choose one)
- Employment route: Provide tax records or employer letter showing annual income ≥ HKD 2 million in the most recent tax year.
- Business route: Provide audited accounts, lease agreements, or investment records demonstrating that you have established a business that makes a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s economy (no fixed revenue threshold; adjudicated case-by-case).
The extension visa is normally granted for an additional 36 months. After 7 continuous years of residence under TTPS or any combination of visased visas, you may apply for permanent residence.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Income aggregation errors: Category A applicants often mix calendar-year and tax-year figures. Ensure the 12-month period ends no more than one month before application.
- University ranking timing: Double-check the 2025-2026 list to confirm your university is present; institutions are removed when they fall outside top 100 in any one of the three rankings.
- Criminal record gaps: If you studied in a country for a semester abroad at age 19, you still need a certificate from that country. Use the FBI Identity History Summary for U.S. time and ACRO for U.K. time; both can be ordered online.
- Dependant age: A child who turns 18 between application submission and visa issuance will be refused. Submit the application before the birthday or apply for a separate student visa.
- Document expiry: Ensure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the intended entry date; many renew their passport mid-process, causing the e-visa label to be issued under the old number and requiring re-issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I include freelance or investment income in the HKD 3.5 million threshold?
Yes. The Immigration Department accepts any lawful income including dividends, rental income, and cryptocurrency gains provided you can supply audited documents or official tax statements.
Q2: Will a master’s degree from a top-100 university qualify me for Category C if my bachelor’s is from an unlisted school?
Yes. The highest qualification is assessed, so only the master’s degree needs to appear on the list.
Q3: Do I need to stay in Hong Kong for a minimum number of days each year?
No. TTPS itself has no minimum-stay rule, but absences longer than 6–9 months in a year may jeopardize future permanent residence applications.
Q4: Can I switch employers freely during the initial 24 months?
Yes. TTPS is not tied to any employer, unlike the Hong Kong IANG Visa for graduates.
Q5: Is there a minimum salary for Category B applicants?
No. Category B only needs proof of 3+ years of work experience; salary level is irrelevant.
Q6: Can my same-sex spouse be a dependant?
Yes. The Immigration Department recognizes overseas same-sex marriages performed in jurisdictions where such marriages are legal.
Q7: Is it faster to apply from overseas or while on a visitor visa in Hong Kong?
Processing times are identical. The new rule allowing in-country change of status since 1 Jan 2026 eliminates the need for a costly visa run.
Q8: Can I hold TTPS and another Hong Kong visa simultaneously?
No. You will be granted the visa that gives you the longest permitted stay; holding overlapping visas is not allowed.
Q9: Does time on TTPS count toward the 7-year permanent residence clock?
Yes. All legal residence under TTPS is counted.
Q10: Can I apply for TTPS if I already have a pending application under another scheme?
You must withdraw the previous application first; the Immigration Department will not process multiple active applications for the same person.
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