Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Renewal 2026: Conditions, Process and Latest Updates
The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS, 高才通) has been one of Hong Kong's most popular talent admission routes since it was launched in December 2022. By mid-December 2025, more than 120,000 TTPS applications had been approved, and the first cohorts of holders are now reaching the end of their initial stay. Renewal — formally an application for extension of stay — is therefore a critical milestone for anyone planning to stay in Hong Kong and work towards permanent residence.
This 2026 guide explains the current renewal conditions, the timeline, the documents required, the application fees and the step-by-step online process, based on official information from the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), GovHK and Hong Kong Talent Engage. If you are new to the scheme, start with the GCT Guide homepage for an overview of all Hong Kong talent and residency pathways.
1. What Is the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)?
Launched in December 2022, the TTPS aims to attract high-income professionals and graduates of the world's top universities. It has three application categories:
- Category A — annual income of HK$2.5 million or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency) in the year immediately before application;
- Category B — a bachelor's degree from an eligible university plus at least three years of work experience in the five years before application; and
- Category C — a bachelor's degree from an eligible university in the past five years with fewer than three years of work experience, subject to an annual quota allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Successful applicants are normally granted an initial stay of 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C), on time limitation only and without other conditions of stay. Because the TTPS visa is not tied to a specific employer, holders can change jobs without re-applying. The scheme does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
2. When to Apply: TTPS Renewal Timeline for 2026
TTPS holders may submit an extension of stay application within three months before the expiry of their current stay. This arrangement has applied to the TTPS since 1 November 2024, and was extended to other talent schemes (GEP, ASMTP, TechTAS, IANG, QMAS and the Second Generation scheme) from 1 March 2026, according to Hong Kong Talent Engage.
Key timing rules for 2026:
- Do not apply earlier than three months before expiry — the online service is not available if your remaining stay is more than three months;
- Do not apply after expiry — overstaying may have serious immigration consequences;
- Submit at least six weeks before expiry if possible, since routine applications normally take two to three weeks to process once all documents and fees are received;
- Under a policy change reported in 2026, if the renewed visa is not obtained before your current visa expires, you must leave Hong Kong by the expiry date — previously, applicants could remain in Hong Kong while waiting. You may later re-enter on visitor status to collect the renewed e-Visa.
3. TTPS Renewal Conditions: Who Qualifies?
To use the online extension of stay service, you must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of submission and at the time of e-Visa collection, and you must not be on visitor status. On the merits, ImmD assesses whether you can show either of the following:
- Employment in Hong Kong with a stable income — for example, a genuine employment contract, salary records, Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions and tax returns; or
- An established or joined business in Hong Kong — business registration, office premises, turnover, employees and financial statements.
Applicants in the top talent class — those with assessable income for salaries tax of HK$2 million or more in the previous tax assessment year — may rely on their income level. Employment in sectors with volatile income, such as insurance broking, tends to be reviewed more carefully. ImmD may also conduct field visits to verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted.
Important 2026 change: with effect from 30 January 2026, all TTPS holders must complete the Exclusive Survey for Top Talent Pass Holders arranged by Hong Kong Talent Engage and upload the acknowledgement of completion together with their extension application.
4. Documents Required for TTPS Extension of Stay
The following documents (in soft copy) are required for a TTPS extension of stay application:
- Hong Kong identity card;
- Travel document showing personal particulars and your latest condition of stay / landing slip / e-Visa;
- Acknowledgement of completion of the Exclusive Survey for Top Talent Pass Holders (mandatory since 30 January 2026);
- Proof of employment in Hong Kong with a stable income, or proof that you have established or joined a business in Hong Kong;
- Verification proof of your bachelor's degree (for Categories B and C applicants who have not previously submitted it);
- Documentary proof of assessable income for salaries tax of at least HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment (for top talent status, if applicable); and
- Other supporting documents.
Dependants applying with you must provide their own Hong Kong identity card and travel document, together with the sponsor's identity card or travel document. Files must be in JPEG, PDF, GIF, PNG or TIF format, no larger than 5 MB per file, in colour where the document contains a photo.
5. Step-by-Step TTPS Renewal Process (2026)
- Complete the Exclusive Survey for Top Talent Pass Holders and download the acknowledgement.
- Prepare and scan all supporting documents in the required formats.
- Submit the application online via GovHK or the ImmD website — fill in the online form, sign the declaration, upload the documents and pay the application fee.
- Include dependants in the same group application if they are renewing with you (up to nine applications per group).
- Track your application status online or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663. Routine processing normally takes two to three weeks.
- Submit supplementary documents online if ImmD issues a notification letter requesting additional information.
- Pay the visa issuance fee through the payment link in the approval notification, then download or print your e-Visa instantly. You must be in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection.
6. How Long Will the Renewed Stay Be?
ImmD generally renews TTPS on a "3+3" model — an extension of up to three years each time — but there is no guaranteed three-year renewal. The exact period is decided on the merits of each case, based on your employment contract, business operations and contribution to Hong Kong's economy. Some applicants have been granted only a few months where their employment contract was short, while eligible top talents may be granted up to six years.
Renewal statistics underline the scale of this milestone: as of mid-December 2025, about 33,000 TTPS holders had reached the expiry of their stay limit, and ImmD had received 17,615 extension applications — a renewal application rate of about 53%. Of the 19,031 applications processed, 17,875 were approved, an approval rate of about 94%.
| Scenario | Typical renewal grant |
|---|---|
| Employed in Hong Kong with a stable income | Up to 3 years (or the remaining employment contract period, if shorter) |
| Established or joined a viable business in Hong Kong | Up to 3 years, assessed on business operations |
| Top talent (assessable income of HK$2 million or above) | Up to 6 years |
| Short employment contract or volatile income (e.g., commission-based sales) | Shorter period, decided case by case |
| No evidence of employment or business in Hong Kong | Renewal may be refused or strictly limited |
7. TTPS Renewal Fees in 2026
Since 11 a.m. on 26 February 2025, applications under "specified schemes" — which include the TTPS — follow a two-tiered fee structure set out by ImmD. Both the principal applicant and each dependant pay the fees.
| Fee item | Amount (HK$) |
|---|---|
| Application fee (payable at submission, non-refundable) | 600 per applicant |
| Visa issuance fee — relevant period of stay more than 180 days | 1,300 per applicant |
| Visa issuance fee — relevant period of stay 180 days or less | 600 per applicant |
Fees can be paid by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS) or Mainland e-wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App). The application fee is non-refundable in any circumstances, regardless of the application result.
8. FAQ: Top Talent Pass Scheme Renewal Questions
Q: How early can I apply for TTPS renewal?
A: Within three months before the expiry of your current stay — this has applied to the TTPS since 1 November 2024. Applications submitted earlier, or after expiry, are not accepted.
Q: Do I need a job to renew my TTPS visa?
A: Yes, in effect. You must show either employment in Hong Kong with a stable income or an established/joined business in Hong Kong. Without evidence of either, approval is unlikely and any grant is usually very short.
Q: How long does the renewal take?
A: Routine applications are normally finalised within two to three weeks after all required documents and the application fee have been received.
Q: What happens if my visa expires before my renewal is approved?
A: Under the 2026 policy, you must leave Hong Kong by the expiry date of your current visa if the renewed visa has not been issued by then. To avoid this, apply at least six weeks before expiry.
Q: Can my family renew together with me?
A: Yes. Accompanying dependants can be included in the same group application, with up to nine applications per group.
Q: Does renewal count towards permanent residence?
A: Holding a TTPS visa and residing in Hong Kong counts towards the seven-year continuous ordinary residence requirement for the right of abode. Avoid long absences that could break your ordinary residence.
Final checklist for 2026: Renewal is the bridge between your initial TTPS visa and long-term residence in Hong Kong. Start preparing about three months before expiry: complete the Exclusive Survey, gather solid employment or business proof, and file the application online while you are physically in Hong Kong. Pay the application fee on submission, respond quickly to any request for supplementary documents, and pay the visa issuance fee immediately after approval so your e-Visa is issued before your current visa runs out. Policies change frequently, so always verify the latest requirements on the official ImmD and GovHK websites before applying. For a complete overview of Hong Kong's talent and residency programmes — from first application to permanent residence — visit the GCT Guide homepage.