Hong Kong, in the numbers that decide it
What life costs
medium confidence- One-bed flat, city
- €1,800/mo
- Three-bed home
- €3,200/mo
- Groceries, one person
- €350/mo
- Utilities
- €150/mo
- What a local salary buys
- 92/100
Ways in
- Lowest income floor of any route
- €278/mo
How long it takes
- Fastest route on paper
- Investment as Entrepreneurs — 28 days
- Routes that publish a wait
- 12 of 21 tracked
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 1
- Healthcare system
- mixed
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 77/100
- Climate
- 84/100
- English in daily life
- Moderate (EF EPI 72)
- Internet speed
- 138 Mbps
- Overall quality-of-life score
- 129
Tax, in practice
medium confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 13.5%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €6,488
- VAT
- 0%
- How it is structured
- progressive
Hong Kong offers 19 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 H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Certificate of Entitlement | — | — | — | 13 weeks | 1 year | — |
| DEPENDANTS | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme | — | — | — | 9 weeks | — | — |
| Foreign Domestic Helper | — | — | — | 9 weeks | — | — |
| General Employment Policy | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Technical Professionals Stream) | €2,232/mo | — | — | 4 weeks | 1 year | — |
| Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Investment as Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | 4 weeks | 1 year | — |
| Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Students | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Technology Talent Admission Scheme | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| Top Talent Pass Scheme | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Training | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme | — | — | — | 4 weeks | 1 year | — |
| Working Holiday | — | €1,558 | — | 9 weeks | — | — |
Financial Requirements
€2,232/mo minimum income
€1,558 minimum savings
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)
- 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
Hong Kong
- Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme — immd.gov.hk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes — immd.gov.hk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Foreign Domestic Helper — immd.gov.hk — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Hong Kong have?
Hong Kong: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) has 19 active immigration pathways in 2026, including skilled worker, business investor, family reunion, student 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/mo; Kowloon: €3,305/mo; New Territories: €2,885/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Hong Kong?
Permanent residency may be available depending on the visa stream; specific timelines are not published for the pathways currently tracked.
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: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) offers the following visa categories: Skilled Worker: Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, Foreign Domestic Helper, General Employment Policy; Business Investor: Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, Investment as Entrepreneurs, New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme; Family: DEPENDANTS; Student: Students, Training.
Can I bring my family to Hong Kong?
Yes. 19 pathways allow family members. Options include: Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, DEPENDANTS. 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: Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals: ~180 days; Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: ~180 days; DEPENDANTS: ~180 days; Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme: ~180 days; Foreign Domestic Helper: ~180 days; General Employment Policy: ~180 days. Times may vary based on application volume.
What are the financial requirements to emigrate to Hong Kong?
Financial thresholds depend on the visa type. Minimum income requirements: Top Talent Pass Scheme: €23,053/mo. 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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