Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Application Guide: Category A/B/C Conditions, Document Checklist & Timeline
The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS, 高才通) is Hong Kong's flagship talent-attraction programme for high-income professionals and graduates of the world's leading universities. If you are considering work or business opportunities in Hong Kong, this guide walks you through the entire application: the Category A, B and C eligibility conditions, the complete document checklist, application fees, and the realistic processing timeline. For a broader overview of Hong Kong entry routes, start at the GCT Guide homepage. All requirements below reflect the official rules published by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD) as of early 2026.
1. What Is the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)?
Launched on 28 December 2022, the TTPS aims to attract two groups of top talent from around the world: high-income earners and graduates of top universities. Unlike most Hong Kong work visas, the TTPS does not require you to secure a job offer before applying. Once admitted, you are free to take up employment, change jobs, or establish and join a business in Hong Kong without seeking prior approval from the Director of Immigration. Successful applicants are normally granted an initial stay of 36 months under Category A, or 24 months under Categories B and C, on time limitation only — meaning there are no other conditions of stay attached. You may bring your spouse or legally recognised partner and your unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 as dependants, and dependants are permitted to work and study in Hong Kong. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence, TTPS entrants may apply for the right of abode (permanent residency) in Hong Kong. Note that the scheme does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The authoritative rules are set out on the official IMMD TTPS page.
2. Category A: High-Income Applicants (HK$2.5 Million or Above)
Category A is for applicants whose annual income reached HK$2.5 million or above (or the equivalent in foreign currency) in the year immediately preceding the date of application. "Annual income" means taxable employment or business income, including salary, allowances, stock options and profits from self-owned companies. For business income, you should generally have held the relevant company shares continuously throughout the tax assessment year preceding the application. Income generated from personal investment (for example, dividends from listed shares or property rental) is not counted. There is no degree requirement and no annual quota for Category A. To prove your income, you can submit a notice of salaries tax assessment issued by a local tax authority, tax payment certificates, documentary proof of stock options granted by your employer, or — for self-owned companies — audited financial reports and profit tax documents.
3. Category B: Top-University Graduates with 3+ Years of Experience
Category B is for graduates of eligible universities who have accumulated at least three years of work experience over the past five years immediately preceding the application. "Eligible universities" means institutions on the aggregate list of eligible universities compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The list is built from four sources: (i) the top 100 universities in four designated world rankings over the past five years (Times Higher Education, QS, U.S. News & World Report and Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities); (ii) the top five hospitality and leisure management programmes on the QS ranking; (iii) the top 20 Mainland Chinese universities; and (iv) the top five art and design institutions on QS. The list is updated annually and grew to 200 universities with effect from 1 January 2026. Your qualification must be equivalent to a recognised Hong Kong bachelor's degree — honorary degrees are not accepted, and degrees obtained from extension, branch or subsidiary schools of eligible universities do not qualify. You must submit verification proof issued by a third-party credential verification organisation or by the awarding institution. There is no income threshold and no quota under Category B.
4. Category C: Recent Graduates (Annual Quota of 10,000)
Category C is for graduates of eligible universities who graduated within the past five years (counted by year of graduation) and have less than three years of work experience. Because this category targets fresh graduates, it is subject to an annual quota of 10,000 places, allotted on a first-come, first-served basis — so applying early in the year is strongly advised. Category C does not apply to non-local students who obtained an undergraduate qualification through a full-time, locally accredited programme in Hong Kong; those graduates should instead apply under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) scheme. Like Category B, Category C requires a degree from an eligible university plus degree verification proof, but has no income threshold.
5. TTPS Eligibility at a Glance
| Criteria | Category A | Category B | Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual income | HK$2.5M+ in the preceding year | Not required | Not required |
| University degree | Not required | Degree from an eligible university (200-list) | Degree from an eligible university (200-list) |
| Work experience | Not specified | 3+ years in the past 5 years | Less than 3 years (recent graduates) |
| Annual quota | None | None | 10,000 (first come, first served) |
| Initial stay | 36 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| Best for | Executives, founders and high earners | Experienced professionals | Recent graduates |
6. Document Checklist for a TTPS Application
Applications are submitted online through the Immigration Department's e-Visa portal, with all supporting documents uploaded in soft copy. The exact documents depend on your category, but the core checklist is: a recent photograph; a valid travel document (plus, if you are already in Hong Kong, the page showing your latest landing slip or e-Visa); your Hong Kong identity card (if any); your official bachelor's degree certificate and transcript; verification proof of the degree qualification; documentary proof of work experience (Categories B and C); documentary proof of annual income of HK$2.5 million or above (Category A only); and, for Mainland residents, a letter of consent from your current work unit or the relevant Mainland authorities. Accompanying dependants need their own photograph and travel document plus proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. Documents that are not in Chinese or English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Be aware that making false statements is an offence, and IMMD may conduct field visits to verify the authenticity of your documents.
| Required document | Category A | Category B | Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph, travel document, HKID (if any) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript | No | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party degree verification proof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Work experience proof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Income proof (HK$2.5M+ in the preceding year) | Yes | No | No |
| Consent letter (Mainland residents only) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dependant documents (if bringing family) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
7. Application Process, Fees and Timeline
Apply entirely online: prepare your documents, submit the application on the IMMD portal with the application fee, and upload everything in one go. IMMD will not start processing until all required documents and the fee are received. Processing normally takes about four weeks. You can check your application status online or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663. On approval, pay the visa issuance fee through the link in the notification, then instantly download your e-Visa.
Fees. Since 26 February 2025, TTPS applicants and each dependant pay a non-refundable application fee of HK$600, plus a visa issuance fee of HK$600 (for a limit of stay of 180 days or below) or HK$1,300 (for a limit of stay of 181 days or more). Mainland residents must additionally obtain an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) with the relevant exit endorsement.
Extension of stay. Apply within three months before your limit of stay expires — and at least six weeks before, since you must depart if it lapses while the application is pending. Processing normally takes two to three weeks. You must prove that you have taken up employment in Hong Kong with a stable income, or that you have established or joined in a business operating healthily here. Extensions are normally granted for up to three years, or until your employment contract expires, whichever is shorter. If you have stayed under the TTPS for at least two years and had assessable income of at least HK$2 million in the previous tax year, you can apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream, which normally results in a six-year extension.
8. Top Talent Pass Scheme FAQ
Do I need a job offer in Hong Kong before applying?
No. A job offer is not required at the application stage for any TTPS category. You can enter Hong Kong first and then decide whether to join a company, change jobs or start a business.
How long does the TTPS application take?
IMMD normally processes TTPS applications within four weeks after receiving all required documents and the application fee. Individual cases may take longer depending on workload and the completeness of your submission.
Can I change jobs or start a business while holding a TTPS visa?
Yes. TTPS entrants are admitted on time limitation only and can change employment or establish/join a business freely, without prior approval from the Director of Immigration.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. You may sponsor your spouse or legally recognised partner and unmarried dependent children under 18. Dependants may work and study in Hong Kong, and their permitted stay is normally linked to yours.
What does the whole process cost?
As of 26 February 2025: a non-refundable application fee of HK$600 per person and a visa issuance fee of HK$600 or HK$1,300 depending on the length of stay. Previously the issuance fee was a flat HK$230.
How can I become a Hong Kong permanent resident through the TTPS?
After seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, TTPS entrants (including via extensions) may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law.
What has changed recently?
Key updates include: the eligible university list expanded to 200 institutions on 1 January 2026; Category A initial stay extended to 36 months; new fees introduced in February 2025; and the Government has tightened conditions for switching from other visa statuses to the TTPS. Since eligibility criteria may change without prior notice, always check the official IMMD TTPS page and the IMMD TTPS FAQ before applying.