Visa Applications

Visa Applications | Bestar

Hong Kong Visa Application Guide 2026

Getting a visa for Hong Kong in 2025 is more streamlined than ever, thanks to the Immigration Department’s recent shift toward a mandatory online application system. Whether you are planning a business trip, moving for work, or visiting as a tourist, this guide covers everything you need to know to ensure a successful application.

1. Do You Need a Visa for Hong Kong?

Hong Kong maintains a liberal visa policy, allowing nationals from about 170 countries to enter visa-free for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days.

• Visa-Free Entry: Most Western, Asian, and European citizens (e.g., USA, UK, Australia, Canada, EU) do not need a visa for short-term tourism or business visits.

  
  

• Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR): Indian nationals must complete a mandatory Pre-Arrival Registration online before traveling, even for short visits.

  
  

• Mandatory Visas: If you intend to work, study, or stay beyond the visa-free period, you must apply for the appropriate entry permit before arrival.

2. Key Visa Types for 2026

Hong Kong has introduced several "Talent Schemes" to attract global professionals. Here are the most common categories:

Visa Type	Target Audience	Key Requirement
Top Talent Pass (TTPS)	High earners or graduates from top 100 universities.	Annual income of HK$2.5M+ or degree from a top-tier uni.
General Employment (GEP)	Professionals with a confirmed job offer.	Skills not readily available in the local workforce.
Quality Migrant (QMAS)	Highly skilled individuals (no job offer needed).	Points-based system (age, education, experience).
Investment (Entrepreneur)	Business owners moving to Hong Kong.	Proof of business viability and contribution to the economy.
Student Visa	Non-local students.	Acceptance letter from a registered HK educational institution.

3. The New 2026 Application Process

As of January 17, 2025, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) requires nearly all visa applications (initial and extensions) to be submitted online. Paper applications by mail or in-person are no longer accepted for most categories.⁷

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Digital Documents: Scan your passport (valid for at least 6 months), financial proofs, and supporting letters (employment or sponsorship).

   
   

2. Submit Online: Use the GovHK portal or the ImmD Mobile App.

   
   

3. Track Status: Use your application reference number to check progress online. Processing typically takes 4 weeks.

   
   

4. Pay & Download "e-Visa": Once approved, pay the fee online. You will receive an e-Visa notification slip with a QR code.⁹ Print this out; you must present it alongside your passport at immigration.

4. Common Reasons for Rejection

To avoid delays or denials, ensure you do not fall into these common traps:

• Insufficient Funds: You must prove you can support yourself (and dependents) without working (for visit visas) or that your salary meets market standards (for work visas).

  
  

• Incomplete Documentation: Missing signatures or blurry scans can lead to instant rejection.

  
  

• Lack of Local Ties: For visit visas, failing to show a return ticket or ties to your home country (job, property) may raise "overstay" concerns.

  
  

• Incorrect Visa Category: Applying for a "Visit" visa when you actually intend to conduct "Training" or "Consultancy" work.

5. Pro Tips for Success

• Apply Early: Aim to submit at least 6-8 weeks before your intended travel date.

  
  

• Check Photo Specs: HK has strict requirements for visa photos (50mm x 40mm, white background).

  
  

• Professional Translation: Any document not in English or Chinese must be accompanied by a certified translation.

To help you navigate the process, here are checklists for the two most popular visa categories in 2025. Since all applications are now 100% digital, ensure all documents are in PDF, JPEG, or GIF format.

1. Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) Checklist

The TTPS is for high earners or graduates from the world's top 100 universities. No job offer is required to apply.

For All Categories (A, B, and C):

• [ ] Travel Document: Scanned copy of your passport (personal particulars page).

• [ ] ID Card: Your local national identity card (if applicable).

• [ ] CV/Resume: A detailed summary of your academic and professional history.

• [ ] Clean Record: A declaration stating you have no criminal record (built into the online form).

Category-Specific Requirements:

• Category A (High Earners - HK$2.5M+ Annual Income):

  • [ ] Proof of Income: Tax assessment notices from the previous year (e.g., IRS 1040, P60).

  • [ ] Company Proof (if self-employed): Audited financial statements or profit/loss accounts.

• Category B & C (Top 100 University Graduates):

  • [ ] Graduation Certificate: Copy of your degree certificate.

  • [ ] Academic Transcripts: Complete transcripts showing all subjects and grades.

  • [ ] Work Experience Proof (Cat B only): Reference letters or employment contracts showing at least 3 years of work experience in the last 5 years.

2. General Employment Policy (GEP) Checklist

The GEP is for professionals who have already secured a job offer in Hong Kong. This application requires documents from both you and your employer.

Documents from the Applicant (Employee):

• [ ] Form ID 990A: Completed and signed digital application.

• [ ] Passport Copy: Valid for at least 6 months.

• [ ] Academic Certificates: Degrees or professional qualifications relevant to the job.

• [ ] Work Experience: Testimonials or reference letters from previous employers.

• [ ] Recent Photo: A digital passport-style photograph (white background).

Documents from the Sponsoring Company (Employer):

• [ ] Form ID 990B: Completed by the company representative.

• [ ] Employment Contract: A copy showing the job title, salary (usually HK$20,000+), benefits, and duration.

• [ ] Business Registration (BR): A copy of the current BR certificate.

• [ ] Financial Standing: Latest audited financial report or tax return.

• [ ] Company Profile: Brochures, websites, or a letter describing business activities.

• [ ] Justification Letter: Proof that the position cannot be readily filled by a local (e.g., recruitment ads or specialized skill requirements).

Note on Facilitation: If your employer is a listed company in Hong Kong or has successfully sponsored a visa in the last 24 months, they may be exempt from submitting business registration and financial proofs.

3. Mandatory Checklist for Dependents

If you are bringing a spouse or children (under 18), you must also provide:

• [ ] Relationship Proof: Marriage certificate or birth certificates (must be translated if not in English/Chinese).

• [ ] Sponsor’s Financial Proof: Bank statements showing you can support them without relying on public assistance.

• [ ] Proof of Accommodation: A lease agreement or letter stating where the family will live.

Calculating Your Points for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

To qualify for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) under the General Points Test, you need to score a minimum of 80 points out of a maximum of 245.

The selection process is highly competitive. While 80 is the "passing" mark, in practice, successful candidates often score much higher. Use the breakdown below to calculate your estimated score.

1. Age (Max: 30 Points)

Age Range	Points
18 – 39	30
40 – 44	20
45 – 50	15
51 or above	0

2. Academic Qualifications (Max: 70 Points)

Qualification	Points
Doctoral degree / Two or more Master’s degrees	40
Master’s degree / Two or more Bachelor’s degrees	20
Bachelor’s degree / High-level Professional Qualification	10
Bonus: Degree from a Renowned Institution (Top 100 globally)	+30

3. Work Experience (Max: 75 Points)

Experience Level	Points
10+ years (inc. 5 years in a senior role)	40
5+ years (inc. 2 years in a senior role)	30
5+ years (Specialist level)	15
2+ years (Specialist level)	5
Bonus: 2+ years of international work experience	+15
Bonus: 3+ years in a Multinational Company (MNC) or Reputable Enterprise	+20

4. Talent List (Max: 30 Points)

• Bonus Points: If your profession falls under the Hong Kong Talent List (e.g., ESG specialists, Asset Management, Cyber Security, etc.), you can claim 30 points.

5. Language Proficiency (Max: 20 Points)

Proficiency Level	Points
Proficient in both written/spoken English AND Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese)	20
Proficient in English OR Chinese + one other foreign language	15
Proficient in written/spoken English OR Chinese	10

6. Family Background (Max: 20 Points)

Criteria	Points
At least one immediate family member is a HK Permanent Resident	5
Accompanying spouse has a degree-level education or above	5
For each accompanying unmarried dependent child (under 18)	5 per child (Max 10)

Summary Calculation Table

You can use this table to tally your final score:

Factor	Your Points
Age
Academic Qualifications
Work Experience
Talent List Bonus
Language Proficiency
Family Background
TOTAL SCORE (Out of 245)	0

Next Steps for You

• Score < 80: You are currently ineligible for QMAS. You might consider the Top Talent Pass (TTPS) if you graduated from a top 100 university.

  
  

• Score 80 – 110: Eligible to apply, but the "success" probability is moderate. Highlighting your unique value is key.

  
  

• Score 120+: Strong candidate with a high chance of selection in upcoming exercises.

How can Bestar Hong Kong help you further?

Bestar Hong Kong acts as a strategic growth partner rather than just a service provider. While the Immigration Department has moved to digital-only applications, the complexity of "Market Standard" salaries, "Business Viability" for entrepreneurs, and "High-Risk" sector compliance remains.

Here is how Bestar can specifically assist you in navigating the 2026 landscape:

1. Professional Visa & Immigration Consultancy

Bestar provides end-to-end management for talent and investment schemes, focusing on optimizing your application to meet the government's stringent criteria.

• Talent Schemes (TTPS & QMAS): We conduct preliminary assessments to ensure you meet the income or university ranking thresholds, reducing the risk of a non-refundable application fee being wasted.

  
  

• GEP (Employment/Investment): For companies, we draft the mandatory Justification Letters to prove why a local candidate cannot fill the role—a common point of failure for many DIY applications.

  
  

• Entrepreneur Visas: Bestar assists in drafting a 2-year Business Plan that satisfies the Immigration Department's requirements for local job creation and economic contribution.

2. Seamless "Back-Office" Integration

Once your visa is approved, the real work begins. Bestar provides the infrastructure needed to maintain your residency status and business operations.

• Company Secretarial Services: Hong Kong law requires a local Company Secretary. Bestar fulfills this role, managing annual returns (NAR1) and maintaining the mandatory Significant Controllers Register (SCR).

  
  

• Audit & Tax Planning: To renew a work or investment visa, you must show the company is active. Bestar’s CPAs handle your Profits Tax Returns and annual audits to ensure your "clean record" for future visa extensions.

  
  

• Payroll & MPF Compliance: We manage employee onboarding, payroll, and Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions, ensuring you remain compliant with local labor laws.

3. High-Success Bank Account Opening

For non-residents, opening a corporate bank account in Hong Kong is notoriously difficult. Bestar bridges this gap through:

• Pre-screening: Reviewing your company profile to ensure it meets bank "KYC" (Know Your Customer) standards.

  
  

• Fintech Alternatives: If traditional banks are too slow, they provide introductions to modern virtual banking solutions that offer faster onboarding for international founders.

Comparison: DIY vs. Bestar Professional Support

Feature	DIY Application	With Bestar Support
Success Rate	Moderate (Risky for complex cases)	High (Expert-led optimization)
Response Time	Subject to ImmD backlog	Priority (Rapid 4-hour document review)
Business Setup	Self-managed multiple vendors	One-Stop Shop (All-in-one package)
Pricing	Hidden government/add-on fees	Flat-Fee (Transparent "True" pricing)

Breakdown of Bestar Flat-fee Packages for Company Incorporation and Visa Sponsorship

Bestar Hong Kong offers a simplified, "one-stop-shop" approach to entering the Hong Kong market. Our flat-fee packages are specifically designed for international founders who need both a legal entity and the residency status to run it.

Below is a breakdown of their primary flat-fee packages for Company Incorporation and Visa Sponsorship in 2026.

1. Hong Kong Company Incorporation Packages

These packages are designed to get your business "bank-ready" and fully compliant with the Companies Ordinance.

Package Tier	Professional Fee (HKD)	Key Inclusions
Basic Setup	$4,500 – $6,000	Name search, Articles of Association, digital submission, and Certificate of Incorporation.
All-Inclusive (1 Year)	$8,000 – $12,000	Includes all Government Fees (CR & BRC), 1 Year of Company Secretary, and 1 Year Registered Address.
The "Turn-Key" Solution	$12,000 – $15,000	Everything in All-Inclusive + Banking Assistance (pre-screening for local/virtual banks) and a physical Company Kit.

Mandatory Government Fees (Included in Full Bundles)

• Companies Registry (CR): ~$1,545 (Electronic submission).

  
  

• Business Registration Certificate (BRC): ~$2,200 (1-Year certificate for 2025/26).

  
  

• Annual Return (NAR1): $105 (Standard filing fee).

2. Professional Visa Sponsorship Packages

Since all applications moved to a mandatory online system in 2026, Bestar’s fees cover digital document management and official representation to the Immigration Department (ImmD).

Visa Type	Professional Fee (HKD)	Scope of Service
Top Talent (TTPS)	$8,000 – $12,000	Verification of high-income or university ranking + full digital filing.
Employment (GEP)	$10,000 – $15,000	Handling both employee documents and the employer’s "Justification Letter."
Entrepreneur/Investment	$15,000 – $25,000	Business Plan drafting, economic contribution analysis, and 2-year strategy.
Dependent Visa	$4,000 – $5,500	Per family member (spouse/child) when bundled with the main applicant.

2026 Immigration Costs: Note that the HK Government now charges a HK$600 application fee and a HK$1,300 issuance fee (for visas over 180 days). These are itemized separately or bundled into premium packages.

3. Annual Compliance "Maintenance" Fee

To ensure your visa renewal remains successful, Bestar provides an annual maintenance package to keep the "Sponsoring Company" in good standing.

Annual Fee: HK$5,000 – HK$8,500

• Statutory Compliance: Filing the NAR1 and maintaining the Significant Controllers Register (SCR).

  
  

• Renewal Management: Handling the Business Registration renewal and providing the registered office for government mail.

  
  

• Accounting/Audit Intro: Connecting you to CPAs for the mandatory annual audit (required for most visa extensions).

Why Choose a Flat-Fee Bundle?

• Zero RFI Stress: Bestar handles "Requests for Information" (RFI) from the Immigration Department at no extra cost.

  
  

• Bankability: We specialize in "pre-vetting" your company structure to ensure you aren't rejected by banks like Airwallex or HSBC.

  
  

• Digital-First: All documents are handled via e-signatures, meaning you don't need to be physically present in Hong Kong to start.

Ready to take the next step?

Would you like to schedule an introductory meeting with Bestar?