# Top Talent Pass Scheme: Categories and Neighbouring Schemes Compared

> Two like-for-like tables: Categories A, B and C of the Top Talent Pass Scheme by threshold, quota, first visa, documents and extension; and the TTPS against the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, the General Employment Policy and the arrangements for non-local graduates.

- URL: https://ttps.hk/en/compare/
- Author: Top Talent Pass Guide Editorial (https://ttps.hk/about/)
- Reviewed by: Top Talent Pass Guide Editorial Editorial Board
- Published: 2026-11-04
- Updated: 2026-11-04
- Language: en

## Key takeaways

- The three TTPS categories differ only at entry: income for A, degree plus experience for B, degree plus recency and a 10,000 quota for C. Conditions of stay, extension route, dependant rules and the seven-year path are identical; only the first visa differs (36 months for A, 24 for B and C).
- TTPS and the Quality Migrant scheme admit on personal merits without an employer and are bound only by a limit of stay; ASMTP and GEP require an employer first and bind the holder to employment conditions, so changing jobs needs approval.
- All of these schemes are 'specified schemes' with the HK$600 application fee and HK$600 or HK$1,300 visa fee since 26 February 2025, and residence under any of them counts towards seven years of ordinary residence.

## Categories A, B and C

| Dimension | Category A | Category B | Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry test | Annual income of HK$2.5 million or more in the year before applying | Eligible-university bachelor's degree plus three years' work experience in the past five years | Eligible-university bachelor's degree obtained within five years, under three years' experience |
| Quota | None | None | 10,000 a year |
| First visa | 36 months (approvals from 16 Oct 2024) | 24 months | 24 months |
| Key documents | Tax assessment, employer certification, company financials and shareholding | Degree, transcript, third-party verification, proof of experience | Degree, transcript, third-party verification |
| Exclusion | — | — | Non-local graduates of full-time locally accredited Hong Kong degrees |
| Extension | Employment or business in Hong Kong; up to 3 years; 6 years for top-tier | Same | Same |
| Dependants | Spouse or partner and children under 18; may work and study | Same | Same |
| Permanent residence | Seven years' continuous ordinary residence | Same | Same |

The categories are three doors into one scheme. Category A is outcome-based and ignores education; B and C are source-based and turn on where and how the bachelor's degree was earned. Category A's extra year of first visa lengthens the runway before extension; Category C's quota means waiting for the next year once it is used.

## TTPS and neighbouring schemes

| Dimension | TTPS | Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals | General Employment Policy | Non-local graduates arrangements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer required | No | No | Yes | Yes | Not for first stay |
| Entry basis | Income or eligible-university degree | Assessment questionnaire (12 criteria, at least 6 met) and panel since Nov 2024 | Employer shows the post cannot be filled locally | Same, for non-Mainland applicants | Degree obtained in Hong Kong |
| What binds the stay | Limit of stay only | Limit of stay only | Employment conditions; job change needs approval | Employment conditions | Limit of stay |
| Extension test | Employment or business in Hong Kong | Settled in Hong Kong with economic contribution | Continued employment | Continued employment | Employed |
| Fees since 26 Feb 2025 | HK$600 / HK$600 or 1,300 | Same | Same | Same | Same |
| Applications / approvals to Jan 2026 | 155,607 / 126,085 | 163,520 / 32,296 (approvals = passed selection) | 83,787 / 73,965 (general) | 101,929 / 95,091 (general) | 84,903 / 80,957 |

The dividing line is the employer. TTPS and the Quality Migrant scheme let the applicant arrive first and find work later, at the price of a substantive extension test; ASMTP and GEP place the employer's case up front and then extend mechanically on continued employment, at the price of being tied to that employer. The Government's reply of 18 March 2026 draws the same distinction: employment-based admittees are subject to employment conditions, while TTPS and the Quality Migrant scheme admittees are subject only to their limit of stay. A comparison is only meaningful where a person qualifies for more than one door; the Immigration Department normally grants stay under one scheme at a time. This site does not recommend a route and does not handle applications; the current Immigration Department pages govern.

## Sources and dates

- Top Talent Pass Scheme (scheme page) — Immigration Department 2026-07-10 https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/TTPS.html
- LCQ8: Application for Hong Kong permanent resident status — HKSAR Government 2026-03-18 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202603/18/P2026031800238.htm
- Panel on Manpower discussion paper: Attracting talents (Annex 2) — Labour and Welfare Bureau 2026-02-23 https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr2026/chinese/panels/mp/papers/mp20260223cb1-165-5-c.pdf
- Measures launched to enhance Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme — HKSAR Government 2024-11-01 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202411/01/P2024110100288.htm

---

This site is run by Top Talent Pass Guide Editorial, an independent insurance information site providing general education and comparison. It is not an insurer, licensed insurance intermediary or bank, sells no insurance product and accepts no application. Content has not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by the Insurance Authority (IA). For applications, quotations and policy servicing, consult a Hong Kong insurer or licensed insurance intermediary.