The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) is a recent talent attraction initiative launched by the Hong Kong Government (introduced in late 2022) to entice high-achieving individuals from around the world to come to Hong Kong without needing a prior job offer. Sometimes dubbed the “super talent visa,” the TTPS aims to bring in experienced professionals and exceptional graduates by offering them an open visa to live and work in Hong Kong for up to 2–3 years. This scheme was created to boost Hong Kong’s pool of expertise in an era of global competition for talent, and is part of the government’s broader measures to revitalize the economy and innovation post-pandemic.
Eligibility Categories
The TTPS has specific criteria targeting “top talent” in three categories :
• Category A – High Income Talents: Persons who have earned at least HK$2.5 million (or equivalent) in gross income in the year prior to application . This roughly targets high-earning executives, entrepreneurs, or professionals (annual income HK$2.5M is about US$320k). Applicants need to show proof of this income (tax returns, employer letters, etc.). These individuals are presumed to have a strong track record in their fields given their remuneration level.
• Category B – Outstanding Graduates (Experienced): Persons who graduated from one of the world’s top universities (a list of eligible universities is published, typically comprising top 100 global institutions) and have at least 3 years of work experience in the last 5 years . Essentially, this category is for mid-career professionals who have elite educational credentials. For example, a graduate of Harvard or Oxford with 3+ years of work experience would qualify.
• Category C – Recent Graduates (Top Universities): Persons who graduated from one of the top universities in the last 5 years and have less than 3 years of work experience . This category caters to young high-potential individuals who may not yet have long work histories. It is subject to an annual quota (the scheme set a quota of say 10,000 in this category) on a first-come, first-served basis . Notably, those who obtained their degree in Hong Kong are not eligible under Category C (since local graduates have other visa arrangements, like an unlimited graduation visa). The idea is to attract recent top-tier graduates from abroad to come jumpstart their careers in Hong Kong.
In addition to falling under one of these categories, applicants must meet standard requirements (age 18 or above, no serious criminal record, etc.). There is no quota for Category A and B – any number of high earners or experienced elite graduates can be admitted if they apply and qualify. Only Category C has a numeric quota cap per year.
Scheme Benefits and Terms
Approved applicants under TTPS are granted a visa (or entry permit) to stay in Hong Kong with a validity of 24 months (for Categories B and C) or 36 months (for Category A) . During this period, they have the freedom to work for any employer, or start their own business, or simply reside and explore opportunities. The stay is not attached to any single job; it’s a free-entry pass for the individual. This flexibility is a key attraction of the scheme – it essentially allows top talents to “try out” Hong Kong’s job market or entrepreneurial environment without bureaucratic constraints.
Holders of the Top Talent Pass can bring in dependents (spouse and children) under standard dependant visas, enjoying the usual rights those visas confer (spouses can work, children can attend school, etc.).
After the initial grant, if the individual wishes to continue staying in Hong Kong, they would need to show some substantive progress (for instance, securing employment or starting a business or otherwise being able to support themselves) to get an extension. The extension pattern for TTPS is likely similar to other visas (e.g., an extension of 3 years and then another 3, etc., up to eligibility for permanent residence at 7 years total).
Purpose and Impact
The TTPS is an aggressive move to draw talent: Category A seeks to attract the world’s high-income earners – perhaps successful finance professionals, tech executives, etc. – who might bring capital, networks, or expertise. Category B and C aim at brain-gain: luring top university graduates to Hong Kong, which could enhance the local talent pool in fields like technology, research, finance, arts, etc. By not requiring a job offer, Hong Kong essentially opens its doors wide to individuals with proven or potential excellence, betting that once they are in Hong Kong, they will contribute positively by taking up leadership roles, starting new ventures, or otherwise fueling economic growth.
This scheme was introduced at a time when Hong Kong faced intensified competition from other cities (like Singapore, Dubai) in attracting talent, and also after some talent outflow during 2019–2022. TTPS forms one pillar of regaining Hong Kong’s allure. Early responses showed thousands of applications in the first few months, indicating strong interest globally.
From an HR perspective, TTPS means that companies in Hong Kong might find more high-caliber candidates already in Hong Kong on their own accord, who are available for hire without needing visa sponsorship (since these individuals come with an open visa). It thus can ease recruitment of top-tier staff. For the individuals, TTPS provides a chance to experience Hong Kong and pursue opportunities freely, effectively treating them as “locals” for the first 2–3 years in terms of employment flexibility.
In summary, the Top Talent Pass Scheme is a bold initiative to attract global talent by offering a generous, obligation-free entry permit to the best and brightest. It lowers the barriers for those talents to choose Hong Kong as a base. The scheme is expected to infuse new dynamism into Hong Kong’s talent pool across industries.
