Official updates tracker
Track verified Hong Kong Government updates since 2015 on talent admission, visas, entry arrangements, digital services and policy changes.
Sources include the Immigration Department, Government press releases, Policy Addresses and relevant policy bureaux. Each item is manually verified for this site’s scope. External links open in a new window.
The Immigration Department announced a Seamless e-Channel pilot service at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing from June 25, 2026, to improve clearance efficiency for eligible travellers.
The Government said the Talent List was expanded to 60 professions in 2025 and continues to apply to QMAS, GEP and ASMTP, providing immigration facilitation to eligible talent.
The Government restated IANG’s 24-month initial stay and pilot coverage for graduates of Hong Kong universities’ Greater Bay Area campuses, and explained schooling arrangements for dependants of incoming talent.
HKSAR passport holders who apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization before visiting Sri Lanka may obtain a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days at Bandaranaike International Airport.
The Government listed seven talent admission schemes and explained that TTPS renewal applicants must provide concrete evidence of Hong Kong employment, income or business operations for ImmD’s case assessment.
The Immigration Department expanded the service scope of Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks from March 23, 2026, to cover more eligible applicants for Hong Kong identity cards and HKSAR passports.
To facilitate visitors and improve clearance efficiency, the Immigration Department relaxed eligibility criteria and simplified enrolment procedures for frequent visitors using self-service immigration clearance from February 27, 2026.
HKSAR passport holders may visit Azerbaijan visa-free up to three times, with each stay up to 30 days, from February 2, 2026, to February 2, 2027.
The Immigration Department announced enhancements for Hong Kong residents using automated passenger clearance services in the Macao Special Administrative Region, facilitating cross-boundary travel for eligible residents.
The Immigration Department adjusted the eligible age for certain visitors using self-service immigration clearance from December 22, 2025, as part of continued technology-enabled clearance enhancements.
From November 15, 2025, nationals of Nepal in direct air transit who do not leave the airport transit area may transit Hong Kong visa-free.
The “Face Easy e-Channel” service launched at Hong Kong International Airport on September 30, 2025, allowing eligible Hong Kong residents to complete arrival clearance by facial verification.
The Immigration Department announced that it had neutralized a cross-boundary syndicate suspected of using forged academic qualifications, employment proof, foreign visas and immigration stamps to apply for entry permits under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, arresting 18 persons.
The Government explained application fees for principal applicants and dependants under specified talent schemes, tiered visa or entry permit issuance fees, and the schemes’ usual initial stay periods.
The Government published cumulative IANG application figures and explained that renewals consider employment, remuneration, business operations, economic benefit and stay in Hong Kong, normally for up to three years or the remaining contract term.
From June 30, 2025, a pilot stream under GEP and ASMTP covers eight skilled trades facing shortages, with specified age, qualification, job-offer and quota requirements.
A HK$600 application fee took effect for entry, change-of-condition and extension applications under ten specified talent and investment schemes, alongside tiered issuance fees for approved visas or entry permits.
The updated Talent List took effect on March 1, 2025, adding nine professions for a total of 60. Eligible applicants may receive facilitation under QMAS, GEP or ASMTP.
ImmD reviewed its 2024 work, including the 12-criterion QMAS General Points Test, expansion of the TTPS eligible university list, and application and approval figures for talent admission schemes.
The Government said ImmD verifies visa and entry permit information as needed and requires TTPS Categories B/C and QMAS applicants to provide designated academic verification. Furnishing false information is a criminal offence.
The Government reported 2024 application, approval, arrival and dependant figures and explained normal processing times and transition handling for TTPS, ASMTP and QMAS applications filed under the earlier test.
The Government expanded the TTPS eligible university list, extended the first visa for Category A to three years, and replaced the QMAS General Points Test with 12 criteria requiring at least six to apply.
ImmD reviewed 2023 talent admission work, including the expanded Talent List and TTPS university list, and published new-application and extension statistics for the schemes.
The Government published refusal and permanent-residence figures for GEP, ASMTP, IANG, QMAS, TechTAS and TTPS, and described common refusal grounds involving qualifications, remuneration or application purpose.
The Government explained that the Talent List has applied to QMAS since 2018 and to GEP and ASMTP since late 2022, and published category-level figures for eligible and approved applications.
The Government increased the Talent List from 13 to 51 professions, with immediate application to QMAS, the General Employment Policy and ASMTP.
From April 2, 2023, applications under QMAS, TechTAS, IANG and the second-generation scheme had to be submitted through electronic services.
From February 27, 2023, applicants under GEP, ASMTP, TechTAS, IANG and ASSG were required to declare criminal convictions in their entry applications.
ImmD reviewed 2022 and described the TTPS launch and related talent admission enhancements implemented on December 28, 2022.
The Government launched the Talents Service Unit online platform and opened applications for TTPS and other enhanced talent admission schemes on the same day.
ImmD extended the pandemic facilitation for applying for extension outside Hong Kong to June 30, 2023, covering eligible GEP, ASMTP, QMAS, IANG, TechTAS and dependant residents.
The Government outlined the 2022 talent package, including a new admission scheme, streamlined ASMTP, expanded IANG, a Talents Service Unit and dedicated attraction teams.
ImmD extended online submission, payment and e-Visa collection to all visa application types, including visit, employment, investment, training, residence and study.
The Government published overseas-talent approval figures for GEP, QMAS, IANG, ASSG and TechTAS and described promotion through overseas offices, InvestHK and other departments.
The Government explained the IANG initial-stay extension from 12 to 24 months and pilot coverage for Greater Bay Area campus graduates, and published earlier first-renewal and right-of-abode figures.
The 2022 Policy Address announced TTPS, suspended the QMAS annual quota, extended the initial IANG stay to two years and piloted IANG coverage for graduates of Hong Kong university campuses in the Greater Bay Area.
The Government reported 726 TechTAS quota applications through March 2022, including 620 approvals, and explained how quota holders support eligible talent in applying for employment visas or entry permits.
The Government published 2017–2021 innovation and technology approval figures for GEP, ASMTP, QMAS, IANG and TechTAS, with notes on the different reporting definitions.
ImmD reviewed its 2021 work, including the launch of online visa submission, payment and e-Visa collection services.
The Government reported 36,689 QMAS applications and 9,131 quota allotments through the end of 2021, with detailed breakdowns by year, sector and place of origin.
ImmD announced phased e-Visa services from December 28, 2021, allowing eligible applicants to submit, pay and download their visa online.
ImmD launched Contactless e-Channel, enabling eligible residents to use an encrypted mobile QR code and facial verification for automated clearance.
The 2021 Policy Address doubled the QMAS annual quota from 2,000 to 4,000 to attract more non-local talent.
The Government published five-year application and approval data for GEP, ASMTP, QMAS, IANG, ASSG and TechTAS, and explained ordinary renewal patterns, longer renewals for top-tier entrants and dependant policy.
The Government reported 7,127 QMAS quota allotments from launch in 2006 through 2020, with breakdowns by year, sector and applicants’ place of origin.
During the pandemic, ImmD allowed certain non-permanent residents whose stay was expiring or had recently expired to apply from outside Hong Kong for a visa or entry permit to return.
The Government increased the QMAS annual quota from 1,000 to 2,000 to enlarge Hong Kong’s talent pool, the first change since the scheme launched.
The Innovation and Technology Commission expanded TechTAS from seven to 13 technology areas and opened it to all Hong Kong companies conducting relevant R&D.
The Government reviewed applications and implementation under the Talent List-linked QMAS and TechTAS measures, while noting GEP and ASMTP as principal employment routes for professionals.
The Financial Secretary reported that more than 200 TechTAS places had been approved and that implementation details would be reviewed in the first half of 2019.
The Government explained IANG arrangements for recent graduates and renewals and reported 10,254 applications received and 10,150 approved in 2018, alongside right-of-abode figures for IANG entrants.
The Government published the first Talent List covering 11 professions. Eligible QMAS General Points Test applicants could receive bonus points.
The Government announced a three-year TechTAS pilot providing a fast-track route for overseas and Mainland R&D talent, with up to 1,000 admissions in its first year.
The Chief Executive announced that Hong Kong would draw up a Talent List to attract professionals more effectively and support a high value-added, diversified economy.
The Government reviewed 2015 stay enhancements under GEP, ASMTP and QMAS and the ASSG, published application and approval figures, and said it would continue monitoring effectiveness.
The Policy Address noted recent talent admission enhancements and proposed a dedicated employment information platform for second-generation emigrants, Hong Kong students overseas and overseas professionals.
ImmD announced the ASSG pilot from May 4, 2015, alongside relaxed stay arrangements under GEP, ASMTP and QMAS and adjustments to the QMAS points system.