How to Move to Hong Kong
Hong Kong's General Employment Policy (GEP) is quota-free and open to any sector, requiring a confirmed job offer and a "market rate" salary test. Its Top Talent Pass Scheme is unusual — it lets high-earning or top-university graduates apply for a visa without a job offer, then search for work once there. All applications go through the mandatory online e-Visa system.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
Hong Kong embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China and does not maintain separate embassies — visa applications for Hong Kong are handled entirely online through the Immigration Department; there is no in-person consulate step required for most applicants.
Find the nearest Hong Kong embassy / visa centre4–6 weeks for a clean case.
Long stay (>180 days): ~HK$1,900 total. Short stay: ~HK$1,200 total.
2 years initially, renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A confirmed job offer from a Hong Kong employer.
- A relevant degree or exceptional technical skills.
- A salary at or above the local market rate for the role.
- Evidence the role could not be readily filled locally.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get a job offer
Secure a confirmed offer from a Hong Kong employer.
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2
Apply online
Submit your GEP application through the mandatory ImmD e-Visa system, with your employer providing supporting sponsorship documents.
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3
Upload documents & pay
Upload your degree, contract and other documents, and pay the application fee online.
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4
Receive approval & travel
Once approved, collect your visa label (if required) and travel to Hong Kong.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- GEP is quota-free and sector-neutral — unlike some countries, there's no annual cap or restricted list of eligible industries.
- The "market rate" salary test is key — your offer must be comparable to what locals earn for the same role.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your ImmD online application system (mandatory since 2022) first
Since November 2022, all Hong Kong visa/entry permit applications — including work, study and dependant visas — must be submitted online through the Immigration Department's e-Visa system. Paper, postal and in-person submissions are no longer accepted for these categories.
Create accountStart your General Employment Policy (GEP) visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSimilar to GEP, around 4–6 weeks.
Similar fee structure to GEP (~HK$1,200–1,900).
2 years initially, renewable; job-search rights included.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Category A: annual income of HK$2.5 million+ in the past year, no quota.
- Category B: graduate of one of ~198 top global universities with 3+ years of work experience, no quota.
- Category C: top-university graduate with under 3 years of experience, capped at 10,000 places/year.
What to do, step by step
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1
Check your category
Confirm which TTPS category you qualify for based on income or university/experience.
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2
Apply online
Submit your TTPS application through the ImmD e-Visa system — no employer sponsorship required.
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3
Receive approval & travel
Once approved, travel to Hong Kong and begin your job search or start work if already employed.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- This is one of the few Asian visas that lets you move first and search for work after — most other countries require the job offer upfront.
- Category C is capped annually, so apply early in the cycle if you qualify.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your ImmD online application system (mandatory since 2022) first
Since November 2022, all Hong Kong visa/entry permit applications — including work, study and dependant visas — must be submitted online through the Immigration Department's e-Visa system. Paper, postal and in-person submissions are no longer accepted for these categories.
Create accountStart your Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSeveral weeks.
Visa fees are modest; budget for tuition and living costs separately.
Course length, renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Unconditional offer from a recognised Hong Kong institution.
- Proof of funds and accommodation.
- Health insurance recommended.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get admitted
Apply directly to a Hong Kong university or institution.
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2
Apply online
Submit your student visa application via the ImmD e-Visa system.
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3
Receive approval & travel
Once approved, travel to Hong Kong to begin your studies.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Hong Kong universities rank highly globally and often have generous scholarships for international students.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your ImmD online application system (mandatory since 2022) first
Since November 2022, all Hong Kong visa/entry permit applications — including work, study and dependant visas — must be submitted online through the Immigration Department's e-Visa system. Paper, postal and in-person submissions are no longer accepted for these categories.
Create accountStart your Student visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSeveral weeks, often processed alongside the main applicant.
Fee varies by immigration scheme — confirm the current rate for your route.
Tied to the main visa holder's permit.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Sponsor holds a valid Hong Kong visa (GEP, TTPS, student, etc.).
- Genuine spousal or parent-child relationship.
- Proof of the sponsor's ability to support the family.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Confirm sponsor eligibility
The main visa holder must have (or be applying for) a valid Hong Kong visa.
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2
Gather relationship documents
Prepare marriage/birth certificates and family photos as evidence.
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3
Apply online
Submit Form ID995A and supporting documents via the ImmD e-Visa system.
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4
Receive approval & travel
Once approved, travel to Hong Kong to join your family.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Student visa holders can only sponsor a spouse and unmarried children under 18 — not parents.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your ImmD online application system (mandatory since 2022) first
Since November 2022, all Hong Kong visa/entry permit applications — including work, study and dependant visas — must be submitted online through the Immigration Department's e-Visa system. Paper, postal and in-person submissions are no longer accepted for these categories.
Create accountStart your Dependant's visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost Hong Kong work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to Hong Kong — both completely free.
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Questions about Hong Kong visas
How much does the Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa cost?
The Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa costs: Long stay (>180 days): ~HK$1,900 total. Short stay: ~HK$1,200 total. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa take?
Processing for the Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa takes 4–6 weeks for a clean case. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa valid for?
The Hong Kong General Employment Policy (GEP) visa is valid for 2 years initially, renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) cost?
The Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) costs: Similar fee structure to GEP (~HK$1,200–1,900). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) take?
Processing for the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) takes similar to GEP, around 4–6 weeks. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) valid for?
The Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is valid for 2 years initially, renewable; job-search rights included. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Hong Kong Student visa cost?
The Hong Kong Student visa costs: Visa fees are modest; budget for tuition and living costs separately. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Hong Kong Student visa take?
Processing for the Hong Kong Student visa takes several weeks. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Hong Kong Student visa valid for?
The Hong Kong Student visa is valid for course length, renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Hong Kong Dependant's visa cost?
The Hong Kong Dependant's visa costs: Fee varies by immigration scheme — confirm the current rate for your route. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Hong Kong Dependant's visa take?
Processing for the Hong Kong Dependant's visa takes several weeks, often processed alongside the main applicant. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Hong Kong Dependant's visa valid for?
The Hong Kong Dependant's visa is valid for tied to the main visa holder's permit. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.