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A reading guide to the full material below.
Hong Kong Residency Benefits
HK residence & citizenship Eligibility to apply for permanent status and citizenship thereafter
The entire family are eligible Spouses/civil partners, dependent children under 18
The Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS) is a labour importation scheme which allows employers with genuine difficulties in finding suitable local staff at technician level or below to import workers to alleviate the manpower shortages. Employers, irrespective of their industry, may apply for imported workers under the SLS.
Visa-free Travel To 170 countries worldwide, including EU & UK with an Irish passport
Residency requirements Non-Chinese citizen with 7 years of continuous residence in Hong Kong, subject to approvals and a declaration of permanent residence intent
Fast processing time Department of Justice usually makes decision within 6 months
Tax regime
As in the UK, Irish tax liability is based on residence and domicile
Option to Let Your Property Secure your HK residency with potential returns on your investments.
High Standard of Schooling Access to many prestigious universities at lower HK tuition fees.
Q1: How long does Hong Kong immigration take?
Answer: Hong Kong immigration approval time varies depending on the scheme:
•Hong Kong QMAS: Usually 6-12 months
•Hong Kong TTPS: Usually 4-8 months
•Hong Kong Investment Immigration: Usually 6-12 months
•Hong Kong Professionals Scheme: Usually 4-8 months
Approval time is affected by factors such as completeness of application materials, Immigration Department workload, applicant's background, etc. CathayCity will assist you in preparing complete application materials to ensure smooth approval.
Q3: How much does Hong Kong immigration cost?
Answer: Hong Kong immigration costs vary depending on the scheme:
•Hong Kong QMAS:
•Government application fee: Approximately HK$2,000
•Third-party fees: Material translation, notarization, authentication, etc. (usually HK$5,000-10,000)
•Hong Kong TTPS:
•Hong Kong Investment Immigration:
•Investment amount: HK$30 million
•Third-party fees: Material translation, notarization, authentication, etc. (usually HK$10,000-20,000)
•Hong Kong Professionals Scheme:
CathayCity provides free assessment services and is fully transparent with no hidden costs. Before signing a contract, we will explain all fees in detail.
Q4: What are the requirements for Hong Kong immigration?
Answer: Hong Kong immigration requirements vary depending on the scheme:
•Hong Kong QMAS: 18+, good character, good Chinese or English proficiency, bachelor's degree, General Points 80 or Achievement Points 225
•Hong Kong TTPS: Category A (annual income HK$2.5M+), Category B (prestigious uni + 3 years exp), Category C (prestigious uni graduate)
•Hong Kong Investment Immigration: 18+, net assets HK$30M, foreign national or stateless with foreign permanent residency
•Hong Kong Professionals Scheme: 18-40, bachelor's degree, relevant work experience, Hong Kong employer
For detailed application requirements, please refer to the detailed application guide for each scheme.
Q5: Can I bring my family with Hong Kong immigration?
Answer: Yes. All Hong Kong immigration schemes allow applicants to bring dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 18) to Hong Kong. Dependents can enjoy the same visa period as the main applicant and can work and study in Hong Kong.
Dependent application fees are usually the same as the main applicant (government application fee approximately HK$2,000 per person).
Q6: Can I work in Hong Kong after immigration?
Answer: Yes. Individuals who come to Hong Kong through Hong Kong QMAS, TTPS, Investment Immigration, or Professionals Scheme can work in Hong Kong. Hong Kong QMAS, TTPS, and Investment Immigration applicants can freely choose employment without employer sponsorship. Hong Kong Professionals Scheme applicants need to work for their Hong Kong employer but can change employers during renewal.
Q7: What benefits can I enjoy after Hong Kong immigration?
Answer: Individuals who come to Hong Kong through immigration can enjoy the following benefits:
•✅ Right to Work: Can work in Hong Kong without work permit
•✅ Right to Study: Can study in Hong Kong, children can receive education in Hong Kong
•✅ Healthcare Services: Can enjoy Hong Kong's public healthcare services (need to pay lower fees)
•✅ Social Security: Can participate in Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)
•✅ Free Entry and Exit: Can freely enter and exit Hong Kong without visa
After continuously residing in Hong Kong for 7 years, you can apply for Hong Kong permanent resident status. Hong Kong permanent residents can enjoy more benefits, including:
•✅ Voting Rights: Can vote in Hong Kong elections
•✅ Free Public Healthcare: Can enjoy free public healthcare services
•✅ Free Public Education for Children: Children can enjoy free public education
•✅ Hong Kong SAR Passport: Can apply for Hong Kong SAR passport, visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries and regions worldwide
Q8: Do I need to give up Chinese nationality after Hong Kong immigration?
Answer: No. Hong Kong immigration does not require giving up Chinese nationality. Mainland Chinese residents can come to Hong Kong through Hong Kong QMAS, TTPS, or Professionals Scheme while retaining Chinese nationality. However, Hong Kong Investment Immigration (New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme) only accepts foreign nationals or stateless persons who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country; Chinese nationals are not eligible.
Q9: Do I need to reside in Hong Kong after immigration?
Answer: Yes. Individuals who come to Hong Kong through immigration need to "ordinarily reside" in Hong Kong to apply for renewal and Hong Kong permanent resident status. "Ordinarily reside" is defined as: Hong Kong as the main place of residence, with substantial connections in Hong Kong (such as work, study, family, etc.).
The Hong Kong Immigration Department will review applicants' residence records, including entry and exit records, work records, tax records, etc. If applicants do not reside in Hong Kong for extended periods, it may affect renewal and application for Hong Kong permanent resident status.
Q10: What if Hong Kong immigration application fails?
Answer: If your Hong Kong immigration application fails, CathayCity can help you with appeal after rejection or provide a DIY failure turnaround and resubmission strategy. As a Licensed Australian Immigration Lawyer, we have the legal authority to represent clients in appeals—something ordinary immigration consultants cannot do.
We will carefully analyze the reasons for failure and provide professional advice and strategies. If there is a possibility of appeal, we will represent you in submitting an appeal to the Hong Kong Immigration Department or Administrative Appeals Board. If there is no possibility of appeal, we will help you reassess your background and qualifications and provide a strategy for resubmitting your application.
