Hong Kong — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
7,527,500 people · Capital: City of Victoria · Eastern Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Hong Kong is located in Eastern Asia, with a population of 7,527,500. Its currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Our database tracks 21 visa pathways for Hong Kong, each linked to a named source.
See also: Hong Kong country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (21)
Sponsored Employment (9)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals | — | — | 36 mo | — |
| Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme | €3,339/mo | €56 | 24 mo | 56d |
| Foreign Domestic Helper | €2,226/mo | €134 | 24 mo | 56d |
| General Employment Policy | — | — | 36 mo | — |
| General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Technical Professionals Stream) | €556/mo | €223 | 24 mo | 42d |
| Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes | €2,003/mo | €256 | 24 mo | 42d |
| Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes | €3,339/mo | €211 | 24 mo | 42d |
| Technology Talent Admission Scheme | €18,549/mo | — | 36 mo | — |
| Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme | — | — | 12 mo | 28d |
Skilled Independent (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | — | — | 36 mo | — |
| Top Talent Pass Scheme | — | — | 36 mo | — |
Entrepreneur & Business (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment as Entrepreneurs | — | — | 36 mo | 28d |
Investment / Golden Visa (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | — | €222 | 24 mo | — |
| New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | €278/mo | €445 | 24 mo | 56d |
Study (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates | — | — | 12 mo | — |
| Students | — | — | 12 mo | 42d |
| Training | — | — | 12 mo | 28d |
Working Holiday (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | €4,452/mo | €211 | 12 mo | 56d |
Family Reunification (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEPENDANTS | — | — | 36 mo | — |
Ancestry & Descent (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents | €22,258/mo | — | — | — |
Permanent Settlement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Entitlement | — | — | — | 90d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Hong Kong | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €1,800 | €1,200 | +50% |
| Rent (3BR) | €3,200 | €2,000 | +60% |
| Groceries | €350 | €350 | 0% |
| Transport | €80 | €80 | 0% |
| Utilities | €150 | €150 | 0% |
| Dining (meal) | €12 | €15 | -20% |
Salary & Employment
Shortage Occupations
- AI/Machine Learning Engineer (IT)
- Risk Analyst (Finance)
- Registered Nurse (Healthcare)
- Security Architect (Cybersecurity)
- Civil Engineer (Construction)
- Sustainability Officer (ESG)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 18 of the 18 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 10 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-25
- immd.gov.hk · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-10
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Students · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “A study visa/entry permit is charged as an ordinary visa. Fee table item 1: 'Ordinary visa — (b) others | $ 330' (entry permit — others is also HK$330).” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “the applicant is able to meet the cost of studies, and living expenses without recourse to public funds; sponsor financially capable to support the applicant — no fixed amount published by ImmD” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-06
Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “IANG is a 'specified scheme' (per the official IANG page, a non-refundable application fee plus the visa issuance fee are payable). Fee table item 6: 'Application fee for a specified scheme application | $ 600' (a separate visa issuance fee of HK$1,300 applies on approval).” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “the applicant is able to meet the cost of studies, and living expenses without recourse to public funds; sponsor financially capable to support the applicant — no fixed amount published by ImmD” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-06
Training · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “A training visa/entry permit is charged as an ordinary visa. Fee table item 1: 'Ordinary visa — (b) others | $ 330' (entry permit — others is also HK$330).” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “the applicant is able to meet the cost of studies, and living expenses without recourse to public funds; sponsor financially capable to support the applicant — no fixed amount published by ImmD” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-06
Investment as Entrepreneurs · 1 verified requirement
Minimum investment: “The applicant should submit documentary proof showing the amount of capital investment in Hong Kong. The Immigration Department will consider whether the investment amount is able to support the operation of the business.” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-07
Working Holiday · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “financial proof of having not less than HK$14,000 [New Zealand citizens; other nationalities between HK$15,000 and HK$25,000 - France and Hungary HK$25,000]” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-09
General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Technical Professionals Stream) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Aircraft maintenance technicians $20,000” — immd.gov.hk, 2026-07-09
Certificate of Entitlement · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Certificate of Entitlement is free of charge per immd.gov.hk official guidance 2025” — immd.gov.hk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Hong Kong have?
Our database tracks 21 visa pathways for Hong Kong across 9 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Study, Skilled Independent. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Technical Professionals Stream)?
The General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Technical Professionals Stream) lists a minimum income of EUR 556 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-24).
What is the average salary in Hong Kong?
The average gross salary in Hong Kong is EUR 3,422 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 763 per month.
How much does rent cost in Hong Kong?
A one-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong averages EUR 1,800 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 3,200 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Hong Kong?
The top personal income tax rate in Hong Kong is 16%.
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