-
Valid International Passport: Scanned colour copy of bio-data page with at least 6 months' validity.
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Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) Slip: Mandatory 14-day tourist/business entry clearance for Indian nationals entering prior to work permit issuance.
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Certified Academic Credentials: Degree certificates and complete transcripts from recognised universities (English/Chinese, translated and notarised).
-
Work Experience Certificates: Official employment reference letters outlining exact responsibilities, job titles, and duration (on company letterhead).
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Financial Evidence (Tax Returns / Bank Balances): Income tax returns proving HKD 2.5M+ for TTPS Category A, or bank statements showing self-sufficiency (HKD 120,000+ liquid) for QMAS.
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Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Character clearance issued by Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in India, valid for 6 months.
Major Hong Kong Immigration Pathways: TTPS, QMAS, GEP & TechTAS
There are various major Hong Kong immigration pathways that one can opt for. Migrating to Hong Kong from India has several pathways available. For Indians seeking long-term settlement, Hong Kong PR for Indians is achievable after just 7 years of ordinary residence under any of these schemes.
For Indians seeking a Hong Kong work visa, these schemes provide the most reliable route to employment and residency. Some of the most popular Hong Kong immigration pathways are listed below:
1. Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
Best For: High-income earners and top-university graduates seeking fast-track relocation without a job offer.
-
Eligibility:
-
Category A: Annual income of HKD 2.5 million+ (≈INR 2.7 crore) in the preceding 12 months.
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Category B: Bachelor’s degree or higher from a top-100 global university (per QS, Times, ARWU, or US News) + 3 years of work experience.
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Category C: Recent graduate (within 5 years) from a top-100 university (limited to 10,000 quotas/year).
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Processing Time: 2–4 weeks for Category A; up to 8 weeks for B/C.
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Initial Stay: 24 months (A/B) or 12 months (C), extendable up to 6 years.
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Key Advantage: No job offer required; full work rights upon approval.
2. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (Hong Kong QMAS Visa)
Best For: Highly skilled professionals without a job offer, assessed via a points-based system.
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Eligibility:
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Minimum age: 18 years.
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Good character, no criminal record.
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Financial self-sufficiency (no public charge).
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Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher (preferred).
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Language proficiency: English or Chinese (IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent).
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Scoring System:
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Factors: Age (max 30), education (max 70), work experience (max 75), language (max 20), family background (max 20).
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Minimum Threshold: 80 points (competitive approvals typically 120–150+).
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Processing Time: 3–6 months.
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Initial Stay: Up to 36 months, extendable.
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Key Advantage: No job offer needed; path to PR after 7 years.
3. General Employment Policy (Hong Kong GEP Visa)
Best For: Professionals with a confirmed job offer in Hong Kong
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Eligibility:
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Job offer from a Hong Kong employer.
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The role requires skills, knowledge, or experience not readily available locally.
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Competitive salary aligned with market rates.
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Processing Time: ~4 weeks.
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Initial Stay: 24–36 months, tied to the employment contract.
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Key Advantage: Straightforward route for employed professionals; dependents can work freely.
4. Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Best For: R&D experts in 14 designated tech sectors (e.g., AI, fintech, biotech).
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Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s or higher in STEM fields.
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Job offer from a Hong Kong tech company under the scheme.
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The role must align with designated tech sectors.
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Processing Time: ~2 weeks (fast-track quota).
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Initial Stay: 24 months, extendable.
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Key Advantage: Accelerated approval for tech talent; path to PR after 7 years.
5. New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
Best For: High-net-worth investors seeking residency through capital deployment.
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Eligibility:
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Investment of HKD 30 million (≈INR 32.5 crore) in approved assets (stocks, bonds, funds, real estate excluded).
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No job offer or business operation is required.
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Processing Time: 3–6 months.
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Initial Stay: 24 months, renewable.
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Key Advantage: Passive residency for investors; dependents enjoy full work rights.
Pathway Comparison Matrix
|
Immigration Scheme |
Target Profile |
Job Offer Required? |
Key Eligibility Criteria |
Initial Visa Duration |
|
TTPS Category A |
High-income professionals & entrepreneurs |
No |
Annual taxable income of HK$2.5M+ (INR 2.7 Cr+) |
3 Years (Extended from 2 yrs) |
|
TTPS Category B |
Experienced top university alumni |
No |
Bachelor's degree from top 100 university + 3 yrs exp |
2 Years |
|
TTPS Category C |
Recent top university graduates |
No |
Bachelor's degree from a top 100 university (<3 years' experience) |
2 Years (Annual quota 10,000) |
|
Hong Kong QMAS visa (General Points Test) |
Skilled specialists & managerial talent |
No |
Score at least 80/245 points on the General Points Test |
3 Years (3+3+2 extension pattern) |
|
General Employment Policy (Hong Kong GEP visa) |
Professionals with a confirmed job offer |
Yes |
Relevant degree + prevailing market salary |
3 Years (3+3+2 extension pattern) |
|
TechTAS (Technology Talent) |
R&D and STEM specialists |
Yes |
Company quota + Degree in designated tech areas |
3 Years |
Hong Kong QMAS 80-Point Assessment & Scoring Matrix
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) uses a General Points Test (GPT) to assess applicants across six key dimensions: age, education, work experience, talent list alignment, language proficiency, and family background, using a Hong Kong immigration points calculator.
To qualify, you must score a minimum of 80 out of 245 points, though competitive approvals typically range between 120 and 150+ points depending on sector demand and applicant profile strength. Below is the official scoring breakdown used by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
|
Assessment Category |
Scoring Breakdown & Criteria |
Maximum Points |
|
Age |
18–39 years (30 pts) 40–44 years (20 pts) 45–50 years (15 pts) |
30 Points |
|
Academic Qualifications |
Doctoral degree / Two Master’s degrees (40 pts) Master’s degree / Two Bachelor’s degrees (20 pts) Bachelor’s degree / Professional qualification (10 pts) Bonus: Degree from top 100 global university (+30 pts) |
70 Points |
|
Work Experience |
10+ years exp including 5+ yrs senior management (40 pts) 5+ years exp including 2+ yrs senior management (30 pts) 5+ years exp (15 pts) / 2+ years exp (5 pts) Bonus: 2+ yrs international / overseas work experience (+15 pts) Bonus: 3+ yrs innovative technology / startup experience (+20 pts) |
75 Points |
|
Talent List Alignment |
Confirmed qualification meeting specifications on the Hong Kong Talent List (51 professions) |
30 Points |
|
Language Proficiency |
Proficient in English and Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin) (20 pts) Proficient in English plus another foreign language (15 pts) Proficient in written and spoken English (10 pts) |
20 Points |
|
Family Background |
At least 1 immediate family member is a Hong Kong permanent resident (5 pts) Spouse holds a recognised Bachelor’s degree or higher (5 pts) Underage unmarried children accompanying (5 pts each, max 10 pts) |
20 Points |
|
Total Maximum Score |
Minimum Passing Score: 80 Points |
245 Points |
Hong Kong Visa Fees for Indians, Financial Requirements & Cost of Living (2026)
The Hong Kong visa fees for Indians for various visas are illustrated in the table below:
|
Visa / Permit Category |
Official IMMD Fee (HKD) |
Approximate Fee in INR |
Payment Terms |
|
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS e-Visa) |
HKD 230 |
INR 2,480 |
Payable only upon approval |
|
Hong Kong QMAS Visa / Entry Permit |
HKD 230 |
INR 2,480 |
Payable only upon approval |
|
General Employment Policy (Hong Kong GEP Visa) |
HKD 230 |
INR 2,480 |
Payable only upon approval |
|
Dependent Visa (Per family member) |
HKD 230 |
INR 2,480 |
Payable only upon approval |
|
Extension of Stay / Visa Renewal |
HKD 230 |
INR 2,480 |
Per renewal cycle |
|
Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR for Indians) |
HKD 0 (Free) |
INR 0 |
Free online registration |
Financial Proof & Living Expense Guidelines
|
Expense Category |
Monthly Cost Range (HKD) |
Approximate Monthly Cost in INR |
|
Apartment Rental (1 to 2 Bedroom) |
HKD 14,000 – HKD 25,000 |
INR 1.50 Lakh – INR 2.70 Lakh |
|
Food & Groceries |
HKD 4,000 – HKD 7,000 |
INR 43,000 – INR 75,000 |
|
Public Transport (MTR & Buses) |
HKD 800 – HKD 1,500 |
INR 8,500 – INR 16,000 |
|
Recommended Financial Proof (QMAS Single/Family) |
HKD 120,000 / HKD 240,000 (Liquid) |
INR 13 Lakh / INR 26 Lakh (One-time proof) |