Jade Legacy
IANG Application Form
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Non-local Graduates Returning to/
Staying in Hong Kong for Employment Arrangements (IANG)
The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is a quota-free, highly flexible visa policy administered by Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD), aiming to attract non-local graduates to remain in or come back to Hong Kong for work. Applicant qualifications, assessment standards and application procedures are split into two categories based on the interval between graduation and submission date: fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates.
Classification Standards & Core Visa Terms:
Graduate Type Application Timing Job Offer Requirement Initial Approved Stay Period Fresh Graduate Within 6 months of the graduation date stated on graduation documents Not required; free job hunting permitted post-approval 24 months (2 years) Non-Fresh Graduate More than 6 months after graduation Mandatory valid Hong Kong job offer upon application 24 months (2 years)
The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is a quota-free, highly flexible visa policy administered by Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD), aiming to attract non-local graduates to remain in or come back to Hong Kong for work. Applicant qualifications, assessment standards and application procedures are split into two categories based on the interval between graduation and submission date: fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates.
Classification Standards & Core Visa Terms:
| Graduate Type | Application Timing | Job Offer Requirement | Initial Approved Stay Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Graduate | Within 6 months of the graduation date stated on graduation documents | Not required; free job hunting permitted post-approval | 24 months (2 years) |
| Non-Fresh Graduate | More than 6 months after graduation | Mandatory valid Hong Kong job offer upon application | 24 months (2 years) |
Mandatory Job Offer Assessment Rules Job offers are compulsory for non-fresh graduate applicants and all IANG visa renewal applications, which will be reviewed against two core benchmarks:
Position nature: The post must be degree-level professional, managerial or specialist technical work;
Compensation standard: The total salary and benefits package must align with Hong Kong’s prevailing market pay levels for the relevant industry.
Visa Duration & Permanent Residency Eligibility
IANG visas follow a standard 2+3+3 residence cycle:
First issuance: 2-year initial stay;
Subsequent extensions: 3 years each, conditional on holding eligible employment;
Right of abode application: After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong (including full-time student visa tenure and IANG visa residence), applicants qualify to apply for Hong Kong permanent residency.
Job offers are compulsory for non-fresh graduate applicants and all IANG visa renewal applications, which will be reviewed against two core benchmarks:
Position nature: The post must be degree-level professional, managerial or specialist technical work;
Compensation standard: The total salary and benefits package must align with Hong Kong’s prevailing market pay levels for the relevant industry.
Visa Duration & Permanent Residency Eligibility
IANG visas follow a standard 2+3+3 residence cycle:
First issuance: 2-year initial stay;
Subsequent extensions: 3 years each, conditional on holding eligible employment;
Right of abode application: After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong (including full-time student visa tenure and IANG visa residence), applicants qualify to apply for Hong Kong permanent residency.
Application Requirements:
Category Policy / Conditions Details Eligible Groups 1. Full-time Bachelor’s degree (or higher) graduates from locally accredited Hong Kong tertiary institutions.
2. Full-time Bachelor’s degree (or higher) graduates from Greater Bay Area (GBA) campuses jointly established by HK and Mainland universities.
Ineligible Conditions 1. Part-time programs, foundation courses, or pre-master language bootcamps.
2. Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and DPRK (completely excluded).
3. Nationals of Laos, Nepal, and Vietnam (exempt only if they graduated from a UGC-funded HK university or a GBA campus).
Fresh Graduate
(≤ 6 months post-grad)
No job offer required at the time of application. Granted an initial 24-month (2-year) stay with complete freedom to hunt for work or engage in self-employment. Non-Fresh Graduate
(> 6 months post-grad)
Job offer required at the time of application. The position must be degree-level, and the salary/benefits package must match prevailing Hong Kong market rates. Granted an initial 24-month (2-year) stay. Visa Extension Rules Standard extension pattern is 2+3+3 years. Top-tier professionals (earning an assessable salary tax income of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year) may receive a single 6-year extension. Valid employment or proof of business operations is strictly required for any renewal. Permanent Residency Eligible to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency (Right of Abode) after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence. Full-time student visa years stack directly with IANG visa years toward this threshold.
| Category | Policy / Conditions Details |
| Eligible Groups | 1. Full-time Bachelor’s degree (or higher) graduates from locally accredited Hong Kong tertiary institutions. 2. Full-time Bachelor’s degree (or higher) graduates from Greater Bay Area (GBA) campuses jointly established by HK and Mainland universities. |
| Ineligible Conditions | 1. Part-time programs, foundation courses, or pre-master language bootcamps. 2. Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and DPRK (completely excluded). 3. Nationals of Laos, Nepal, and Vietnam (exempt only if they graduated from a UGC-funded HK university or a GBA campus). |
Fresh Graduate (≤ 6 months post-grad) | No job offer required at the time of application. Granted an initial 24-month (2-year) stay with complete freedom to hunt for work or engage in self-employment. |
Non-Fresh Graduate (> 6 months post-grad) | Job offer required at the time of application. The position must be degree-level, and the salary/benefits package must match prevailing Hong Kong market rates. Granted an initial 24-month (2-year) stay. |
| Visa Extension Rules | Standard extension pattern is 2+3+3 years. Top-tier professionals (earning an assessable salary tax income of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year) may receive a single 6-year extension. Valid employment or proof of business operations is strictly required for any renewal. |
| Permanent Residency | Eligible to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency (Right of Abode) after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence. Full-time student visa years stack directly with IANG visa years toward this threshold. |
Processing Time:
Assessment Metric Standard Processing Windows Turnaround Time 2 to 4 weeks from the date the Immigration Department receives a fully complete document package. Missing forms or unclear vetting evidence will cause processing delays.
| Assessment Metric | Standard Processing Windows |
| Turnaround Time | 2 to 4 weeks from the date the Immigration Department receives a fully complete document package. Missing forms or unclear vetting evidence will cause processing delays. |
Required Documents:
Target Applicant Profile Document Checklists & Deliverables Baseline Requirements
(All Applicants)
• Passport / travel document (minimum 6 months remaining validity)
• Official graduation certificate and complete academic transcripts
• Copy of most recent Student Visa / current landing slip
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Proof of Hong Kong residential address
• Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID), if already issued
• Visa Fee: HK$230
Supplemental for Non-Fresh Graduates • Fully executed local employment contract
• Company registration documentation (e.g., Business Registration Certificate)
• Detailed breakdown of compensation package
• Comprehensive professional resume / CV
Supplemental for Visa Extensions • Recent payslips, tax assessment forms, and MPF statements
• Company business credentials and financial health statements (if renewing via self-employment or business ownership)
| Target Applicant Profile | Document Checklists & Deliverables |
Baseline Requirements (All Applicants) | • Passport / travel document (minimum 6 months remaining validity) • Official graduation certificate and complete academic transcripts • Copy of most recent Student Visa / current landing slip • Recent passport-sized photograph • Proof of Hong Kong residential address • Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID), if already issued • Visa Fee: HK$230 |
| Supplemental for Non-Fresh Graduates | • Fully executed local employment contract • Company registration documentation (e.g., Business Registration Certificate) • Detailed breakdown of compensation package • Comprehensive professional resume / CV |
| Supplemental for Visa Extensions | • Recent payslips, tax assessment forms, and MPF statements • Company business credentials and financial health statements (if renewing via self-employment or business ownership) |
Application Procedures:
| Phase | Procedural Actions & Vetting Steps |
| Step 1: Channel Selection | Determine preferred submission pathway: Digital filing via the GovHK Online Portal (highly recommended for faster tracking) or physical paper submission via Form ID(E)991. |
| Step 2: Package Compilation | Gather, scan, and organize all mandatory supporting credentials matching your graduate profile. Ensure clear resolution on all documents to prevent processing bottlenecks. |
| Step 3: Formal Submission | Transmit the complete application package to the Hong Kong Immigration Department and process the non-refundable HK$230 application handling fee. |
| Step 4: Vetting & Issuance | Track case progression through the official portal. Await the standard 2-to-4-week review cycle until the official electronic visa notification or physical label is granted. |
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