Mainland Talents and Professionals Scheme (MAS)

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP/MAS) is a quota-free, open-industry immigration route for Mainland talents. Run by the HKSAR Government, it recruits professionals with locally scarce skills to address Hong Kong’s manpower needs and boost economic development. Differing from QMAS and TTPS, it requires a genuine, matched local job offer with market-standard remuneration. Approved applicants obtain long-term residence, can apply for Hong Kong permanent residency after 7 years of continuous residence, and may sponsor their spouses and minor dependent children.

l  High Approval Rates: No complex points-based grading system.

l  No Caps: Zero quota restrictions or annual capacity ceilings.

l  All-Industry Access: Open to professionals across all business sectors.

l  Immediate HKID: Grants standard resident privileges upon arrival.

l  Family Relocation: Spouses and children under 18 get unrestricted work/study rights.

The scheme adopts a clear applicant classification system to differentiate from other Hong Kong work visa policies. It only accepts eligible Mainland residents, while other talent groups apply via separate channels. Graduates of Hong Kong accredited full-time programmes or qualified Greater Bay Area Sino-foreign cooperative programmes fall under the Non-local Graduates Returning to Work Scheme. Meanwhile, PRC passport holders residing overseas are ineligible for the scheme and may only apply for local employment through the General Employment Policy under specified overseas residency requirements.

Application Requirements:

CategoryKey RequirementRequired Evidence / Documents
Applicant IdentityMainland China resident with no security or criminal record.Copy of PRC passport or travel documents.
Education & SkillDegree holder with specialized knowledge.Graduation certificate, transcripts, and professional qualifications.
Employment StatusConfirmed professional or managerial job offer.Signed employment contract detailing job duties and benefits.
Salary LevelMatches prevailing market rates in Hong Kong.Proof of remuneration package (salary, housing, medical).
Local Market TestPost cannot be easily filled by the local workforce.Local recruitment records (waived if on the HKTalent LIst)
Company ViabilitySponsoring company must be financially sound.Business Registration, audited financial reports, and tax returns.
A: Core Scheme Overview
  • Target Audience: Mainland Chinese residents with specialized skills not readily available in HK.
  • Quota System: No quota ceiling or sector-specific restrictions.
  • Initial Stay: Successful applicants receive a 36-month initial stay visa.
  • Path to Permanent Residency: Eligible for HK PR after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence.
B: Applicant Eligibility Criteria
  • Clean Record: No security objections and a clear criminal background.
  • Academic Threshold: A relevant bachelor's degree is standard.
  • Alternative Criteria: Technical qualifications or proven professional experience accepted in lieu of a degree.
  • Proven Track Record: Must provide employment reference letters from previous employers.
C: Employer & Job Post Mandates
  • Genuine Vacancy: The role must be a verified managerial or professional position.
  • Fair Compensation: Remuneration must align with local market rates for similar roles.
  • Local Market Protection: Proof of failed local hiring efforts required.
  • Talent List Exemption: Local recruitment proof is waived if the role matches the 51 professions on the official Talent List.
D: Required Documentation Checklist
  • For the Employee:
    • Form ID 990A
    • Travel document photocopy
    • Educational and work experience credentials
  • For the Employer:
    • Form ID 990B
    • Company financial statements and profit tax returns
    • Company background proof (brochures, project proposals, or office lease)

Processing Time:

The HKSAR Immigration Department completes MAS application vetting within 4 weeks after receiving full supporting documents and the prescribed application fee.Overall it requires generally 4-6months from the date of receiving all required documents for whole processing period.

Required Documents:

  • Personal Identity Materials: Valid travel documents, national ID, and recent passport-sized photographs.
  • Qualification & Experience Proof: Recognised academic certificates, official transcripts, and supporting documents for relevant professional work experience.
  • Mainland Official Consent: Mandatory official consent letter issued by the applicant’s mainland work unit or competent authorities.
  • Employer Supporting Documents: Valid business registration certificate, formal employment contract or appointment letter with clear job responsibilities, employment period and market-aligned salary details.
  • Supplementary Documents: Relevant identity and relationship certificates for dependent family members (if applicable).

Application Procedures:

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  1. Pre-case Evaluation & Formal Confirmation: Complete the official eligibility assessment form, verify compliance with all MAS criteria for both the applicant and prospective Hong Kong employer, and sign standard service contracts to formally initiate the application case.
  2. Exclusive File Setup & Document Collection: Establish a dedicated case file for dedicated follow-up, then collect, sort and verify all mandatory personal, academic, employment and Mainland official consent documents to ensure full validity.
  3. Professional Case Compilation & Employer Matching: Organise all supporting materials, compile a standard official application proposal, and match the applicant with a qualified and compliant Hong Kong employer meeting market salary and recruitment standards.
  4. Official Online Submission & Fee Settlement: The registered Hong Kong employer submits the complete application package via the Immigration Department’s official electronic platform, uploads all documents and pays the prescribed non-refundable application fee.
  5. Government Vetting & Supplementary Follow-up: Undergo official governmental document verification and background review (approximately 2 months for initial submission and 6 months for full approval). Promptly respond to any official enquiries and submit supplementary documents to avoid application suspension.
  6. Approval Acquisition & Endorsement Application: Receive the official government approval letter upon successful vetting, download the electronic visa, and apply for the Mainland D-type exit endorsement for Hong Kong entry.
  7. Hong Kong Visa Activation & Onboarding: Travel to Hong Kong to meet the matched employer, complete formal onboarding procedures, and activate the approved visa in person.
  8. Residence Formalities Completion: Finish all required Hong Kong resident registration procedures to complete the entire MAS application process

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