East Asia
Hong Kong Visa Guide
Global financial hub, no dedicated nomad visa
Quick answer
Hong Kong offers a diverse range of visa categories, primarily focusing on work, entrepreneur, and family routes. Work visas include the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) [1], General Employment Policy (GEP) [5][6], and Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) [7][8], with initial stays ranging from 24 to 36 months. Entrepreneur and investor options include the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) [2], Investment Visa [9], Investment as Entrepreneurs [10], and the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES), with initial stays up to 24-36 months. Family reunification is possible through the Dependant Visa [3], and the Foreign Domestic Helper Visa [4] covers domestic work for 2 years.
At a glance
Hong Kong has no dedicated digital nomad visa. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) serve high-earning professionals, with a low flat tax ceiling of 15% and unrivaled access to Asian markets.
Visa options in Hong Kong (24)
Tourist / short-stay
Work
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa
Initial stay of 36 months or duration of employment contract, whichever is shorter
Foreign Domestic Helper Visa
2 years
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Initial stay of 36 months or duration of employment contract, whichever is shorter
General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa
Initial stay of 36 months
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
24 months
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) Visa
24 months
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
work
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Visa
Initial stay of 36 months
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
Initial stay
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) Visa
Initial stay of 24 months
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
Initial stay up to 36 months (Category A) or 24 months (Categories B and C)
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Visa
36 months (Category A) / 24 months (Categories B and C)
Investor / entrepreneur
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) Visa
Initial stay of up to 24 months
Investment Visa
Initial stay of 24 months
Investment as Entrepreneurs
Initial stay up to 36 months, renewable
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
initial permitted stay
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) Visa
Initial stay up to 24 months
Am I eligible for anything here?
Hong Kong's visa eligibility depends heavily on:
- Your nationality — some visas apply nationality-based exclusions or bilateral agreements
- Your income and financial situation
- How long you want to stay
- Whether you're bringing dependents
Frequently asked questions
What are the main work visa options for Hong Kong?
Hong Kong offers several work visa routes, including the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) [1], the General Employment Policy (GEP) [5][6], and the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) [7][8]. These visas typically provide an initial stay of 24 to 36 months, depending on the specific scheme and employment contract.
Can I bring my family to Hong Kong if I have a visa?
Yes, the Dependant Visa [3] allows eligible family members (such as spouses and dependent children) to accompany or join a person who holds a valid work, study, or investment visa in Hong Kong.
Are there visa options for entrepreneurs and investors in Hong Kong?
Yes, Hong Kong provides several routes for entrepreneurs and investors, including the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) [2], the Investment Visa [9], Investment as Entrepreneurs [10], and the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES). These visas offer initial stays ranging from 24 to 36 months, with some renewable.
How long can I stay in Hong Kong on a work visa?
The initial stay duration varies by visa type. For example, the ASMTP [1] and GEP [5] visas allow an initial stay of 36 months or the duration of the employment contract, whichever is shorter. The IANG visa [7][8] provides an initial stay of 24 months. The Foreign Domestic Helper Visa [4] is valid for 2 years.
Related destinations
South Korea
Comparable East Asia destination
Visa guide
China
Comparable East Asia destination
Visa guide
Thailand
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Vietnam
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Japan
Comparable Asia destination
Visa guide
Indonesia
Comparable Southeast Asia destination
Visa guide
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) Visa — Work route, Initial stay of 36 months or duration of employment contract, whichever is shorter
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) Visa — Entrepreneur route, Initial stay of up to 24 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [3]
Dependant Visa — Family route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
Foreign Domestic Helper Visa — Work route, 2 years
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
General Employment Policy (GEP) — Work route, Initial stay of 36 months or duration of employment contract, whichever is shorter
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [6]
General Employment Policy (GEP) Visa — Work route, Initial stay of 36 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) — Work route, 24 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) Visa — Work route, 24 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [9]
Investment Visa — Entrepreneur route, Initial stay of 24 months
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
Investment as Entrepreneurs — Entrepreneur route, Initial stay up to 36 months, renewable
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
Effective tax-rate estimate for foreign residents (~12%)
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
- [12]
Affordability index and climate tags
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
This page reflects Hong Kong's officially published visa categories as of the dates above. It is not legal advice. For detailed, case-specific requirements for any visa listed here, see that visa's own page.