Hong Kong Top Talent Pass: nearly 140,000 applications and approx. 110,000 approvals; eligible university list expanded to 200
Hong Kong, China · Residency planning · As at end-July 2026
| Country / region | Hong Kong, China |
|---|---|
| Category | Residency planning |
| Date | As at end-July 2026 |
| What happened | As at the end of July 2026, the Top Talent Pass had received nearly 140,000 applications with approx. 110,000 approved. The eligible university list rose to 200 from 2026-01-01. Categories A and B are processed in as little as about 3 weeks; Category C (less than 3 years of work experience) has an annual quota of 10,000, largely used up in the first half of the year. Category A recognises only pre-tax chargeable salary and business operating profit — passive income such as shares, property and rent is not counted. |
| Impact on applicants | Category C places are first-come, first-served — fresh graduates should file immediately on graduating. Category A business owners must hold 50% or more of shares throughout the year, and an audit report is a mandatory submission. |
| Source: {src} | Immigration Department, Hong Kong, China / Labour and Welfare Bureau (H1 2026 data) ↗ |
Source: Immigration Department, Hong Kong, China / Labour and Welfare Bureau (H1 2026 data) ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
Hong Kong Top Talent Pass: nearly 140,000 applications and approx. 110,000 approvals; eligible university list expanded to 200 — what happened?
As at the end of July 2026, the Top Talent Pass had received nearly 140,000 applications with approx. 110,000 approved. The eligible university list rose to 200 from 2026-01-01. Categories A and B are processed in as little as about 3 weeks; Category C (less than 3 years of work experience) has an annual quota of 10,000, largely used up in the first half of the year. Category A recognises only pre-tax chargeable salary and business operating profit — passive income such as shares, property and rent is not counted.
What does this mean for applicants?
Category C places are first-come, first-served — fresh graduates should file immediately on graduating. Category A business owners must hold 50% or more of shares throughout the year, and an audit report is a mandatory submission.
Where does this information come from?
Immigration Department, Hong Kong, China / Labour and Welfare Bureau (H1 2026 data), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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