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Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to enter/stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment under TechTAS-NIAS.
TechTAS-NIAS allows eligible companies to flexibly employ non-local technical personnel who possess the required skills / know-how and relevant experiences in setting-up and operating new large-scale advanced production facilities in the fields of life and health technology, artificial intelligence (“AI”) and data science, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies to work in the HKSAR. Companies approved under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (“NIAS”) would first have to apply for a quota. The company allotted with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (“ITC”) can accordingly sponsor an eligible non-local technical personnel to apply for an employment visa / entry permit within the 24-month quota validity period. For details of TechTAS, please refer to the “Application Guide–TechTAS-NIAS” in the website of ITC.
TechTAS-NIAS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).
An application for a visa / entry permit to take up employment under TechTAS-NIAS may be favourably considered by the Director of Immigration after ITC has approved a quota if -
| (a) | there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant Note 1; |
| (b) | the employing company has a valid quota approved by ITC at the time of application; |
| (c) | the applicant is employed as full-time employees in the HKSAR by the applicant company; |
| (d) | the applicant is engaged principally in setting-up and operating new large-scale advanced production facilities in the areas of life and health technology, AI and data science, or advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies; |
| (e) | the applicant is holders of Higher Diploma / Higher Certificate in relevant fields (or an acceptable equivalent in an engineering or technological discipline) and should have at least four years’ practical experience in related advanced production facilities; Note 2; |
| (f) | the applicant is offered remuneration not lower than the prevailing market level for comparable jobs in the HKSAR; |
| (g) | the applicant meets the specific particulars pertaining to the job position set out in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC; and |
| (h) | the bona fides of the employing company and the applicant are not in doubt. |
Note 1: “Applicant” refers to the individual who is applying for a visa / entry permit to enter the HKSAR for employment under TechTAS-NIAS.
Note 2: Persons not meeting the academic requirements but possess good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and / or relevant experience and achievements can be considered on a case-by-case basis with full justifications. In such case, relevant documentary evidence should be provided when making an application for employment visa / entry permit for the individual concerned (see Part III below). If an applicant company already expects, during the quota application stage, that its target non-local persons to be employed may not meet the requirements as specified but should possess specific skills / abilities / experience / achievements, it should set out the details with full justifications in its quota application.
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he / she requires a visa / entry permit to work or reside in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his / her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he / she may be considered for the grant of a visa / entry permit and subsequent extension of stay. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.
Persons admitted or seeking admission under TechTAS-NIAS may apply, under their sponsorship, to bring their spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him / her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration Note 3, and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. An application for admission of a dependant may be favourably considered if normal immigration requirements and the following criteria are met -
- there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependant and the sponsor;
- there is no known record to the detriment of the dependant; and
- the sponsor is able to support the dependant’s living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him / her with suitable accommodation in the HKSAR.
The entry arrangement for dependants does not apply to -
- former Mainland Chinese residents residing in the Macao Special Administrative Region (“SAR”) who have obtained Macao identity cards for less than seven years, unless they have acquired residence in the Macao SAR through the One-way Permit Scheme; and
- nationals of Afghanistan and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).
The length of stay of such dependants will normally be linked to that of their sponsors. They will remain in the HKSAR on time limitation and are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in the HKSAR. Any subsequent applications for extension of stay of such dependants will be considered only if the dependants continue to meet the eligibility criteria set out above (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR. If their sponsor’s employment contract is terminated before the expiry of the sponsor’s limit of stay, such dependants have to leave the HKSAR within 2 months from the date of termination of their sponsor’s employment contract, or before the expiry of their limit of stay, whichever is earlier.
Note 3: For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “civil partnership” and “civil union” above mean a legal institution of a nature which is akin to spousal relationship in a marriage. The same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership and opposite-sex civil union entered into in accordance with laws outside Hong Kong are limited to only relationships which are legally and officially recognised in the places of celebration. Such relationships normally have the following features: (a) the entering into and dissolution of the relationship are governed by legislation of the place where it is entered into; (b) the relationship requires registration by the competent authority specified by the legislation of the place where it is entered into; (c) the registration is evidenced in a written instrument issued by the competent authority; and (d) parties to the relationship have a mutual commitment to a shared life akin to spouses to the exclusion of others on a permanent basis. Such relationships do not include de facto spouse, partners in cohabitation, fiancé / fiancée, etc.
It generally takes two weeks to process applications for employment visa / entry permit under TechTAS-NIAS upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee Note 4. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will not be able to finalise the processing of the application unless all the required supporting documents and information together with the application fee have been received. As it will take time to process applications, applicants may regard their applications as pending unless they have received a notification of application result from the ImmD.
All visa / entry permit applications are processed and determined by the ImmD, after taking into consideration all circumstances of the applications. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.
Note 4: The processing time may be longer in complicated cases.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
A. Documents to be uploaded by the applicant for entry application
| Documents Required |
| Submit application through online system at www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/applytechtas.htm and upload supporting documents item listed below |
| Applicant’s recent photograph |
| Applicant’s valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and / or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). A Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued with a travel document may upload his / her People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) resident identity card |
| Applicant’s Hong Kong identity card (if any) |
| Proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience, or proof of good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and / or relevant experience and achievements (if applicable) |
| Applicant’s Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only] |
| Applicant’s household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only] |
| Proof of the applicant’s overseas residence, such as official documents showing the applicant’s conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities (only applicable to overseas Chinese who have obtained overseas permanent residence; or have been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of an application and the application is submitted from overseas) |
| Letter of consent from the applicant’s present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities (Annex B of Application Guide) |
B. Documents to be uploaded by the employing company
| Documents Required |
| Employing company will receive a link by e-mail after application submission from the applicant. Employing company is required to fill in the online form and upload relevant supporting documents listed below to complete the rest of the application |
| Quota allotment letter issued by the Innovation and Technology Commission |
| Employing company’s employment contract with or letter of appointment to the applicant containing information about post, salaries, other fringe benefits and employment period |
| Business Registration Certificate (not required if the employing company is listed on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, or has successfully obtained an employment or training visa/entry permit for a non-local staff in the past 24 months immediately before submission of the application) |
C. Documents to be uploaded by each accompanying dependant
| Documents Required |
| Submit application through online system at www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/applytechtas.htm and upload supporting documents item listed below |
| Dependant’s recent photograph |
| Dependant’s valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and / or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). A Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued with a travel document may upload his / her PRC resident identity card |
| Dependant’s Hong Kong identity card (if any) |
| Evidence of the applicant’s relationship with the dependant e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, family photographs, family letters (with envelopes), census record book and Privilege Card for Single Child (if applicable) |
| Dependant's Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only] |
| Dependant's household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only] |
Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents (including original documents) and information in connection with the applications when necessary.
Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa / entry permit application, the Immigration Department (ImmD) may conduct field visits. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he / she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa / entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.
Applications for entry for employment under TechTAS-NIAS should be submitted within the quota validity period as specified in the quota allotment letter issued by ITC. Applicants, their accompanying dependant(s) (if any) and the employing company shall submit the applications and upload all supporting documents online with the relevant application fee paid through the designated GovHK website at the following link: www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/applytechtas.htm. The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstance irrespective of the application result. Applications submitted in person, by post or drop-in-box will not be accepted.
If an individual dependant wishes to join the applicant later, please refer to the website of the ImmD at www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/residence_as_dependant.html for the application procedures.
It generally takes two weeks to process applications for employment visa / entry permit under TechTAS-NIAS upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee Note 1. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will not be able to finalise the processing of the application unless all the required supporting documents and information together with the application fee have been received. As it will take time to process applications, applicants may regard their applications as pending unless they have received a notification of application result from the ImmD.
All visa / entry permit applications are processed and determined by ImmD, after taking into consideration all circumstances of the applications. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.
Note 1: The processing time may be longer in complicated cases.
For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), TechTAS-NIAS is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or changes of conditions of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please visit the ImmD’s website at New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (“PPS”), Faster Payment System (“FPS”) or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.
For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), TechTAS-NIAS is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or changes of conditions of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please visit the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s website at New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (“PPS”), Faster Payment System (“FPS”) or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
Mainland Residents
Successful applicant should apply for an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement from the relevant Mainland authorities. Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, the applicant holding an EEP bearing the relevant exit endorsement should also present the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter. For overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) passports, applicant should present his / her valid PRC passport and “e-Visa” for immigration examination upon arrival in the HKSAR (only applicable to overseas Chinese who have obtained overseas permanent residence; or have been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of an application and the application is submitted from overseas).
Non-Mainland Residents
Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, applicant should present his / her valid travel document and the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.
Persons admitted under TechTAS-NIAS will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months on employment condition, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is earlier), upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires with the relevant application fee paid. The application fee paid is non-refundable under any circumstances irrespective of the application result. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS-NIAS Note 1. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, also on employment condition, or be in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is earlier).
Note 1: For the avoidance of doubt, no quota is needed for the employing company to sponsor the applicant for application for extension of stay.
Persons admitted under TechTAS-NIAS who are on employment condition shall only take such employment as approved by the Director of Immigration. They should seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration for any change in employment.
If a person admitted under TechTAS-NIAS or his/her employer for any reason terminates the employment contract before the expiry of his/her limit of stay, he/she has to leave the HKSAR within 2 months from the date of termination of employment contract or before expiry of his/her limit of stay, whichever is earlier. If such person has secured an offer of another employment which meets the eligibility criteria of TechTAS-NIAS within the 2 months’ period or before expiry of his/her limit of stay, whichever is earlier, he/she may apply to the ImmD for change of employer.
In any event, both the person and the employer mentioned above should notify the ImmD of the date of termination of employment contract within 7 days following the date of termination through the ImmD’s online service system (www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/nonpermanent/terminatecontractorstudies.htm). Separately, both parties should also notify ITC of the termination of employment contract within the aforesaid time period by email to techtas-nias@itc.gov.hk. The email should include names of both parties, visa reference and contract termination date.
Non-permanent residents of the HKSAR (including persons admitted under TechTAS-NIAS and their dependants), irrespective of their nationality and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa / entry permit to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within the currency of their permitted limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.
Persons admitted under TechTAS-NIAS who have ordinarily resided in the HKSAR for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
This webpage sets out information about extension of stay for entrants admitted under the TechTAS-NIAS.
Persons admitted under TechTAS-NIAS will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months on employment condition, or in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is earlier), upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR within four weeks before their limit of stay expires with the relevant application fee paid. The application fee paid is non-refundable under any circumstances irrespective of the application result. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under TechTAS-NIAS Note 1. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, also on employment condition, or be in accordance with the duration of the employment contract (whichever is earlier).
Note 1: For the avoidance of doubt, no quota is needed for the employing company to sponsor the applicant for application for extension of stay.
Routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
A. Documents to be uploaded by the applicant for extension of stay application
| Documents Required |
| Submit application through online system at www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/nonpermanent/applyextensionstay/othernpr.htm and upload supporting documents items listed below |
| Applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his / her previous travel document page showing the latest visa / entry permit label / arriving stamp / landing slip / extension of stay label in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable) |
| Applicant’s Hong Kong identity card |
| Supporting letter from the current employing company stating applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment (only applicable to applicant without change of employment) |
For further details on the entry and extension of stay arrangements for dependants, please refer to the “Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong” [ID(E) 998].
Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, accompanying dependants and employing companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents (including original documents) and information in connection with the applications when necessary.
Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.
It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa / entry permit application, ImmD may conduct field visits. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he / she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa / entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.
Eligible applicants can submit their applications for extension of stay online here.
Routine application will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.
For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), TechTAS-NIAS is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or changes of conditions of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please visit the Immigration Department(ImmD)’s website at New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (“PPS”), Faster Payment System (“FPS”) or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (for Companies Subsidised under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme) (TechTAS-NIAS)
After the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire the application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.
For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), TechTAS-NIAS is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or changes of conditions of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please visit the Immigration Department(ImmD)’s website at New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.
Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (“PPS”), Faster Payment System (“FPS”) or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.
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30-04-2025
