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This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to enter/stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment under TechTAS.

TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit non-local technology talent to undertake research and development (R&D) work for them in the HKSAR. Eligible companies would first have to apply for a quota. A company allotted with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) can accordingly sponsor an eligible person to apply for an employment visa/entry permit within the 24-month quota validity period. For details of TechTAS, please refer to the “Application Guide–TechTAS 01” and “Application Guide–TechTAS 02” in the website of ITC.

TechTAS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).

An application for a visa/entry permit to take up employment under TechTAS may be favourably considered if:

1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant;
2. the employing company has a valid quota approved by ITC at the time of application;
3. the applicant is employed as a full-time employee in the HKSAR by the employing company;
4. the applicant is engaged principally in conducting R&D ^{Note 1} in the areas of advanced communication technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital entertainment, financial technologies, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things, material science, microelectronics, quantum technology or robotics;
5. the applicant is a degree-holder in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) from a well-recognised university, which is among the top 100 universities for STEM-related subjects in the latest publication of any of the following world university ranking tables:
   

   Ranking Tables	Websites
   Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)	www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-ranking
   Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) (also known as Shanghai Ranking)	www.shanghairanking.com
   Times Higher Education	www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings
   U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings (USNWR)	www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings

   Work experience is not compulsory for those with a Master’s or Doctoral degree, whereas those with a Bachelor’s degree only should possess a minimum of one year working experience in the relevant technology area. Persons not meeting the academic requirements but possessing good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements can be considered on a case-by-case basis with full justifications. In such case, relevant documentary evidence should be provided;

6. the applicant is offered remuneration not lower than the prevailing market level for comparable jobs in the HKSAR;
7. the applicant meets the specific particulars pertaining to the job position set out in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC; and
8. the bona fides of the employing company and the applicant are not in doubt.

In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to work or reside in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit and subsequent extension of stay. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.

Note 1:
An R&D activity is –
(a) an activity in the fields of natural or applied science to extend knowledge;
(b) an original and planned investigation carried on with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding; or
(c) the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for producing or introducing new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services before they are commercially produced or used.

For details, please refer to Annex A of the Application Guide of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme.

Persons admitted or seeking admission under TechTAS may apply, under their sponsorship, to bring their spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him/her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration ^{Note 2} and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Persons admitted or applying for admission under TechTAS will be the sponsors of their accompanying dependants to the HKSAR. An application for admission of a dependant may be favourably considered if normal immigration requirements and the following criteria are met:

1. there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependant and the sponsor;
2. there is no known record to the detriment of the dependant; and
3. the sponsor is able to support the dependant's living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in the HKSAR.

This entry arrangement does not apply to:

1. former Mainland Chinese residents residing in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) who have obtained Macao identity cards for less than seven years, unless they have acquired residence in the Macao SAR through the One-way Permit Scheme; and
2. nationals of Afghanistan and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).

The length of stay of such dependants will normally be linked to that of their sponsors. They will remain in the HKSAR on time limitation only without other conditions of stay and are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in the HKSAR. Any subsequent applications for extension of stay of such dependants will be considered only if the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependants (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR.

Note 2:

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “civil partnership” and “civil union” above mean a legal institution of a nature which is akin to spousal relationship in a marriage. The same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership and opposite-sex civil union entered into in accordance with laws outside Hong Kong are limited to only relationships which are legally and officially recognised in the places of celebration. Such relationships normally have the following features: (a) the entering into and dissolution of the relationship are governed by legislation of the place where it is entered into; (b) the relationship requires registration by the competent authority specified by the legislation of the place where it is entered into; (c) the registration is evidenced in a written instrument issued by the competent authority; and (d) parties to the relationship have a mutual commitment to a shared life akin to spouses to the exclusion of others on a permanent basis. Such relationships do not include de facto spouse, partners in cohabitation, fiancé/fiancée, etc.

It normally takes two weeks to process applications for employment visa/entry permit under TechTAS upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will not be able to finalise the processing of the application unless all the required supporting documents and information have been received. As it will take time to process applications, applicants may regard their applications as being under processing unless they have received a notification of application result from ImmD.

All visa/entry permit applications are processed and determined by the ImmD, after taking into consideration all circumstances of the applications. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

A. Documents to be uploaded by the applicant for entry application

B. Documents to be uploaded by the employing company (Employing company will receive a link by e-mail after application submission from the applicant. Employing company is required to fill in the online form and upload relevant supporting documents listed below to complete the rest of the application)

C. Documents to be uploaded by each accompanying dependant of an applicant for entry under TechTAS

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents (including original documents) and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa/entry permit application, the ImmD may conduct field visits. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Applications for entry for employment under TechTAS should be submitted within the quota validity period as specified in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC. Click here for online submission of application and uploading of supporting documents.

It normally takes two weeks to process applications for employment visa/entry permit under TechTAS upon receipt of all the required documents. The ImmD will not be able to finalise the processing of the application unless all the required supporting documents and information have been received. As it will take time to process applications, applicants may regard their applications as being under processing unless they have received a notification of application result from ImmD.

All visa/entry permit applications are processed and determined by the ImmD, after taking into consideration all circumstances of the applications. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Mainland China's Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

Fee Table

Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Mainland China's Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

Fee Table

A visa/entry permit (in the form of “e-Visa”) will be issued upon successful application and payment of fees.

Mainland Residents

Successful applicant should apply for an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement from the relevant Mainland authorities. Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, the applicant holding an EEP bearing the relevant exit endorsement should also present the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter. For overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China (PRC) passports, applicant should present his/her valid PRC passport and “e-Visa” for immigration examination upon arrival in the HKSAR (only applicable to overseas Chinese who have obtained overseas permanent residence; or have been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of an application and the application is submitted from overseas).

Non-Mainland Residents

Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, applicant should present his/her valid travel document and the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.

Persons admitted under TechTAS will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months on employment condition, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is shorter), upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS ^{Note 1}. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, also on employment condition, or be in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is shorter).

Persons admitted under TechTAS who continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS and fulfil the criteria as stipulated at the following paragraph may apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream. They will normally be granted an extension of stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay for a period of five years upon approval.

The criteria for top-tier employment stream are as follows:

1. the applicant has been permitted to take up employment in the HKSAR under TechTAS for not less than two years; and
2. the applicant has an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment ^{Note 2}

Note 1:
For the avoidance of doubt, no quota is needed for the employing company to sponsor the applicant for application for extension of stay.

Note 2:
Applicants should provide documentary proof of having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous tax assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents.

Persons admitted under TechTAS who are on employment condition shall only take such employment as approved by the Director of Immigration. They should seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration for any change in employment. Such applications may be favourably considered if the applicants continue to fulfil the eligibility criteria under TechTAS ^{Note 3}.

For top-tier talent who are permitted to remain in the HKSAR on time limitation only without other conditions of stay, they only need to notify the change of their employment within the currency of their permitted limit of stay to the ImmD through the ImmD’s online service system.

Note 3:
In case the applicant applies for change of employment and the new employing company does not have any valid quota under TechTAS, a new application should be submitted and assessed under the General Employment Policy or Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals as appropriate.

Non-permanent residents of the HKSAR (including persons admitted under TechTAS and their dependants), irrespective of their nationality and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within the currency of their permitted limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.

Persons admitted under TechTAS who have ordinarily resided in the HKSAR for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.

This webpage sets out information about extension of stay for entrants admitted under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (hereafter “TechTAS”).

Persons admitted under TechTAS will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months on employment condition, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is shorter), upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS ^{Note 1}. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, also on employment condition, or be in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is shorter).

Persons admitted under TechTAS who continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS and fulfil the criteria as stipulated at the following paragraph may apply for assessment under the top-tier employment stream. They will normally be granted an extension of stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay for a period of five years upon approval.

The criteria for top-tier employment stream are as follows:

1. the applicant has been permitted to take up employment in the HKSAR under TechTAS for not less than two years; and
2. the applicant has an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment ^{Note 2}

A dependant may apply for extension of stay for residence in the HKSAR within four weeks before his/her limit of stay expires. Such applications will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependants (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR.

The length of stay of dependants of persons who have been admitted into the HKSAR to take up employment will normally be linked to that of their sponsors.

Note 1:

For the avoidance of doubt, no quota is needed for the employing company to sponsor the applicant for application for extension of stay.

Note 2:

Applicants should provide documentary proof of having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous tax assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents.

Routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.

The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.

Depending on the applicant’s current immigration status, the following documents are required upon online submission of the application:

Entrants admitted under the TechTAS

1. applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document showing the latest visa/entry permit label and landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable);
2. applicant’s Hong Kong identity card;
3. supporting letter from the current employing company/institute stating applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment (only applicable to applicant without change of employment); and
4. documentary proof of applicant having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous tax assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents (for extension of stay applications under the top-tier employment stream ^Note).

Note:

Persons admitted under TechTAS who continue to meet the relevant eligibility criteria and fulfil the following criteria at the time of application for extension of stay may be regarded as top-tier entrants:

1. the applicant has been permitted to take up employment as a professional in Hong Kong under TechTAS for not less than 2 years; and
2. the applicant has an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment.

Dependants

1. the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable);
2. the applicant’s Hong Kong identity card;
3. the sponsor’s valid travel document (showing personal particulars and current permission of stay) or Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card;
4. applicant’s birth certificate (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only ^);
5. applicant’s Form ID 235B and/or travel document (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only ^); and;
6. parents’ marriage certificate (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only ^).

^ For first time application only

Important Notice

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, the applicants, dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa application, field visits may be conducted. A person who knowingly and willfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Eligible applicants can submit their applications for extension of stay online here and upload all supporting documents.

Applicants must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of application.

Routine application will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.

The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Mainland China's Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table

After the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Mainland China's Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table