Applying for a Top Talent Scheme Visa for Highly Qualified Staff in Hong Kong
The highly qualified visa, also known as the Top Talent Visa, is a special visa category in Hong Kong for individuals who possess exceptional skills and qualifications that are in high demand.
This visa is designed to attract top talent from around the world to contribute to Hong Kong's economy and promote its global competitiveness.
Employers benefit from a faster application process, as well as fewer resources spent to go through the usual visa application process, including demonstrating that the role can’t be filled by talent in Hong Kong and other business requirements.
What are the Top Talent Pass Scheme requirements?
The employee must have a taxable business or salary income of HK$ 2,500,000 or more in the year preceding the application
A bachelor’s degree from a top 100 university with at least 3 years of experience obtained in the last 5 years. If they have less than 3 years of experience, they may still apply subject to certain restrictions and quotas.
Example of a Successful Applicant
Meet Mr. Li, a Chinese citizen in his late 40s.
Educational background
Bachelor's degree in Oriental Studies with a minor in Law and a Master of Laws from Beijing University, a top 100 university.
Holds various SFC (HK) and SEC (US) licences, showcasing expertise in the financial industry.
Experience
Career spanning across Hong Kong, the USA, and Mainland China
Focus on the banking sector.
In the past 5 years he worked as a senior consultant for a Compliance Consultancy.
Which documents were included in Mr Li’s application?
Mr. Li’s graduation certificate from his Bachelor’s degree (not his Master of Law)
The employment letter provided by the previous employer for Compliance Consultancy demonstrates his most recent experience.
What employer information was included in the application?
The new employer was not required to provide any information for the application.
How long did the application take?
Mr. Li’s Visa application was approved in just five weeks, with expedited processing due to an existing job offer. Most applications are processed in a 12 week timeframe.
Do you have top talent to move to Hong Kong?
Let us handle the visa application for you.
Tips for Employers
Understand the criteria and requirements for the highly qualified visa to attract and retain top talent for your company.
Understand the importance of a well-prepared application and the need for a relatively short processing time.
Consider reaching out for assistance with the visa application process for a smooth and efficient application process.
The highly qualified visa is a valuable resource for employers looking to attract top talent to Hong Kong.
With the right candidate and a well-prepared application, the highly qualified visa can be obtained in a relatively short amount of time, allowing your business to thrive with the best talent from around the world.
Ask us for advice on any part of this process for a smooth visa application for your ideal hire.
