By Hong Kong at a Glance
Hong Kong offers 10 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in Eastern Asia, processing times range from 1–12 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 7.5/10 and a safety score of 8.5/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €2,885–€3,987 depending on the city. The primary language is Chinese. Permanent residency is achievable in as few as 7 years. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Doctor (7.2/10), Cybersecurity Specialist (6.8/10), AI Engineer (6.8/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 7.5/10. Figures as of April 2026 (official sources, last verification).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Employment Policy (GEP) | €1,967/monthly, €23,600/yr salary | — | English (B2) | 2–3 weeks | 7 years |
| Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) | €1,967/monthly, €23,600/yr salary | — | Chinese (B1) | 4–8 weeks | 7 years |
| Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) | €1,967/monthly, €23,600/yr salary | — | English (B2) | 2–2 weeks | 7 years |
| Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) | — | €32,000 | English (B2) | 25–51 weeks | 7 years |
| Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) | €21,000/annually, €250,000/yr salary | €25,000 | English (B2) | 2–3 weeks | 7 years |
| Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) | — | €8,000 | English (B1) | 2–3 weeks | 7 years |
| Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) | €295,000/monthly, €3,540,000/yr salary | €3,800,000 | — | 8–12 weeks | 7 years |
| Investment as Entrepreneurs | €65,000/annually | €120,000 | English (B2) | 2–3 weeks | 7 years |
| Working Holiday Scheme | — | €5,000 | English (B1) | 4–6 weeks | — |
| Training Visa | €1,967/monthly, €23,600/yr salary | — | English (B1) | 2–3 weeks | 7 years |
Financial Requirements
€1,967/monthly minimum income | €23,600/year minimum salary
General Employment Policy (GEP) for Hong Kong.
€1,967/monthly minimum income | €23,600/year minimum salary
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) for Hong Kong.
€1,967/monthly minimum income | €23,600/year minimum salary
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) for Hong Kong.
€32,000 minimum savings/investment
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) for Hong Kong.
€21,000/annually minimum income | €250,000/year minimum salary | €25,000 minimum savings/investment
Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) for Hong Kong.
€8,000 minimum savings/investment
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) for Hong Kong.
€295,000/monthly minimum income | €3,540,000/year minimum salary | €3,800,000 minimum savings/investment
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) for Hong Kong.
€65,000/annually minimum income | €120,000 minimum savings/investment
Investment as Entrepreneurs for Hong Kong.
€5,000 minimum savings/investment
Working Holiday Scheme for Hong Kong.
€1,967/monthly minimum income | €23,600/year minimum salary
Training Visa for Hong Kong.
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (license req.) | 7.2/10 | €4,535/mo |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | 6.8/10 | €3,084/mo |
| AI Engineer | 6.8/10 | €3,628/mo |
| Dentist (license req.) | 6.8/10 | €3,628/mo |
| Marketing Manager | 6.8/10 | €3,540/mo |
| Software Engineer | 6.4/10 | €2,555/mo |
| Data Analyst | 6.4/10 | €2,539/mo |
| Pharmacist (license req.) | 6.4/10 | €2,902/mo |
| Civil Engineer | 6.4/10 | €2,721/mo |
| Mechanical Engineer | 6.4/10 | €2,721/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Hong Kong
- Visa Comparison for Hong Kong (2026)
- Cost of Living in Hong Kong (2026)
- Salaries by Profession in Hong Kong (2026)
- Hong Kong for Accountant (2026)
- Hong Kong for Civil Engineer (2026)
- Hong Kong for Nurse (2026)
- Hong Kong for Software Engineer (2026)
- Hong Kong for Teacher (2026)
- Admission Scheme For Mainland Talents And Professionals Asmtp — Hong Kong
- Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Cies — Hong Kong
- General Employment Policy Gep — Hong Kong
- Immigration Arrangements For Non Local Graduates Iang — Hong Kong
- Investment As Entrepreneurs — Hong Kong
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Qmas — Hong Kong
- Technology Talent Admission Scheme Techtas — Hong Kong
- Top Talent Pass Scheme Ttps — Hong Kong
- Training Visa — Hong Kong
- Working Holiday Scheme — Hong Kong
- Singapore Vs Hong-Kong
Official sources
Requirements on this page are based on these official and statistical sources:
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
- www.immd.gov.hk — www.immd.gov.hk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Hong Kong have?
Hong Kong has 10 active immigration pathways in 2026, including entrepreneur, investor, post study work, seasonal, skilled worker routes. Each pathway has different requirements for income, qualifications, and experience.
What is the cost of living in Hong Kong?
Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Hong Kong Island (Central/Mid-Levels): €3,987/month; Kowloon: €3,305/month; New Territories: €2,885/month. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Hong Kong?
Yes. Path to PR timelines by visa type: General Employment Policy (GEP): 7 years; Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP): 7 years; Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS): 7 years; Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS): 7 years; Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): 7 years; Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG): 7 years; Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES): 7 years; Investment as Entrepreneurs: 7 years; Training Visa: 7 years. Requirements and conditions vary by pathway.
What are the best professions for emigrating to Hong Kong?
The highest-scoring professions for Hong Kong are: Doctor, Cybersecurity Specialist, AI Engineer. Scores consider visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, and quality of life.
What types of visas does Hong Kong offer?
Hong Kong offers the following visa categories: Entrepreneur: Investment as Entrepreneurs; Investor: Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES); Post Study Work: Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); Seasonal: Working Holiday Scheme; Skilled Worker: General Employment Policy (GEP), Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), Training Visa.
Can I bring my family to Hong Kong?
Yes. 8 pathways allow family members. Options include: General Employment Policy (GEP), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS). Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
Does Hong Kong have a digital nomad visa?
Hong Kong does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use standard work permits or temporary residence visas.
How long does visa processing take in Hong Kong?
Processing times vary by pathway: General Employment Policy (GEP): 14-21 days; Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP): 28-56 days; Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS): 14-14 days; Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS): 180-360 days; Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): 14-21 days. Times may vary based on nationality and completeness of application.
What are the financial requirements to emigrate to Hong Kong?
Financial thresholds depend on the visa type. Minimum income requirements: General Employment Policy (GEP): €1,967/month; Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP): €1,967/month; Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS): €1,967/month; Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS): €21,000/month; Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES): €295,000/month. Some pathways also require proof of savings.
What is the quality of life like in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong scores quality of life: 7.5/10, safety: 8.5/10, healthcare: 8.5/10. These ratings consider healthcare access, public safety, infrastructure, and overall living standards for expatriates.
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