Hong Kong Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is set out for those who are/were entering the HKSAR for the purpose of education with a student visa / entry permit and obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited program in Hong Kong. This program is quota-free and non-sector specific. Persons who admitted under IANG are free to take up and change employment during their permitted stay without seeking prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

IANG status will be classified as a non-permanent resident of HKSAR by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD). Re-entry visa/entry permit are not required provided that people return Hong Kong within the authorized period of stay and the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.

Persons admitted under the IANG will be granted an initial stay of 12 months without other conditions of stay upon entry. They can apply for extension of stay within 4 weeks before their limit of stay expires. When applying for extension, non-local graduates are required to have secured an offer of employment which is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level. For those who have established or joined in business in the HKSAR, they are required to produce proof of their business. Successful applicants will normally be permitted to remain on time limitation only without other conditions of stay on the 2-2-3 years pattern.

Persons admitted under the IANG 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.

Note that IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of) and Nepal. For nationals of Vietnam, the IANG only applies to those who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally-accredited program in Hong Kong offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions, but excluding self-financing programs offered by the relevant institutions and programs offered by the continuing and professional education arms of the relevant institutions.

1.

Services Fees

Our fees for handling an IANG visa in Hong Kong is HKD13,800, and HKD2,300 per dependent visa.

1. Continuous advice regarding the application for IANG;
2. Assistance with the preparation of supporting documentation;
3. Review of application documents prepared by the applicant(s) and employing company;
4. Preparation of authorization letter(s), statements and application form(s);
5. Submission of the IANG application to the IMMD;
6. Liaison with IMMD regarding the application;
7. Application status reporting to the applicant and relevant parties;
8. Coordinating the payment of fees and collection of the approved extension of stay label;
9. Forwarding of the IANG to the address specified by the applicant.

The above fees are inclusive of the government fee but exclusive of delivery charges, translation fees, etc.

2.

Payment Term and Method

If a China or Taiwan official tax invoice is required, the Value-Added Tax or Business Tax at the prevailing rate in their respective jurisdiction will be charged and collected.

3.

Eligibility Criteria

All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. 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.

Non-local fresh graduate

1. Submit applications to IMMD within 6 months after the date of their graduation (i.e. the date shown on their graduation certificates)
2. A secured offer of employment is not required upon application
3. Be granted 12 months' stay on time limitation without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met
4. Apply for extension of stay to wait for the promulgation of results if the graduation results have not yet secured
5. Apply by producing proof from the institution confirming that they have graduated if the graduation certificate have not yet been obtained

Returning non-local graduate

1. Submit applications to IMMD beyond 6 months of the date of their graduation
2. A secured offer of employment is required upon application
3. The applications will be favorably considered so long as the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level.
4. Be granted 12 months' stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.

Dependents

IANG applicants can be the sponsor of their spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to apply dependent visa under prevailing dependent policy. The length of stay of such dependents will normally be linked to that of their sponsors.

Any subsequent applications for extension of stay will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependents and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR.

4.

Required Documents and Materials

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, IMMD may still require to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

The documents must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorized public translator, certified translator, expert translator, or official translator if they are not in Chinese or English.

Forms and documents to be submitted by client:

1. Filled form ID990A
2. Photo (affixed on form ID990A Page 2)
3. Photocopy of valid travel document
4. Photocopy of his/her valid travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR for applicants who currently stay in HK
5. Photocopy of PRC ID (if applicable)
6. Photocopy of HK ID (if capable)
7. Photocopy of transcript of academic records, graduation certificate or supporting letter from the degree awarding institution showing the applicant's attainment of undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited program in the HKSAR
8. Letter of consent from the applicant's present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities (ID990A Page 8) [for Mainland residents only]
9. Photocopy of the applicant's Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only]
10. Photocopy of the applicant's household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
11. Photocopy of proof of the applicant's overseas residence showing the applicant's conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only]
    (e.g. copy of official documents)

Forms and documents to be submitted by employing company

1. Filled form ID990B
2. Photocopy of the company's employment contract with or letter of appointment to the applicant
   (containing information: post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period)
3. Photocopy of the Business Registration Certificate*
4. Photocopy of proof of financial standing (e.g. latest audited financial report, trading profit and loss account, or profit tax return)*
5. Detailed business plan [for companies newly set up within 12 months only]
   (e.g. information on source of funds, estimated capital injection, nature/mode of business activities, expected turnover, sales volume, gross and net profit in the coming years, and proposed creation of local job posts, etc.)

NOT required if the employing company has successfully obtained an employment or training visa/entry permit for a non-local staff in the past 18 months immediately before submission of the application

Forms and documents to be submitted by each accompanying dependent

1. Filled form ID990A Part B
2. Photo (affixed on form ID990A Page 2)
3. Photocopy of valid travel document
4. Photocopy of his/her valid travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR for applicants who currently stay in HK
5. Photocopy of PRC ID (if applicable)
6. Photocopy of evidence of the IANG applicant’s relationship with the dependent (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, family photographs, family letters (with envelopes), census record book and Privilege Card for Single child)
7. Photocopy of the dependent's Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only]
8. Photocopy of the dependent's household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
9. Photocopy of proof of the dependent's overseas residence showing the applicant's conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only] (e.g. copy of official documents)

For a dependent under the age of 16, it must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.

5.

Estimated Processing Time

In general, it takes about 2 weeks to process applications submitted by non-local fresh graduates upon receipt of all the required documents.  For returning non-local graduates, it takes 4 weeks.  However, the processing time will depend on the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at a particular time.

Please be noted that a longer processing time may be required during summer rush period between June and August. IMMD will NOT be able to start processing the application until all the required documents and information have been received.

Related Topics: Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) | Hong Kong APEC Business Travel Card (APTC) Scheme | Hong Kong Employment Visa (GEP & ASMTP)