Non-local Graduates Visa（IANG Visa）

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, or IANG, is a Hong Kong immigration route for non-local students who have earned a degree or higher qualification from a full-time, locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong, or from a Greater Bay Area campus of a Hong Kong university. Fresh graduates can apply without a job offer, and successful applicants are free to take up and change employment during their permitted stay. For many graduates, the IANG is the most direct bridge from student life to a full career in Hong Kong.

IANG Visa at a Glance

Not sure whether you fall under the fresh graduate or returning graduate arrangements? You can check your eligibility for the IANG or book a visa consultation with our team to plan the next step.

Who the IANG Is For

For Applicants

If you are a non-local student who has just completed a degree or higher qualification in Hong Kong, the IANG lets you stay on to explore the job market, take up employment, or change roles freely during your permitted stay. Fresh graduates who apply within six months of graduation do not need a job offer at all. If you graduated more than six months ago and are now returning, you can still apply, provided you have secured a job offer relevant to your qualifications with remuneration at market level.

For Employers

The IANG is self-sponsored, so the company does not file or carry the application for fresh graduates. Hiring an IANG holder means no visa application to sponsor and no sponsorship liability on your part, which makes recent non-local graduates one of the simplest talent pools to hire from in Hong Kong.

Eligibility Criteria for the IANG

The arrangements are divided into two categories, and your category determines what you must show:

• Fresh graduates. You apply within six months of your graduation date, which is the date shown on your official award letter or transcript. No offer of employment is required at the time of application.
• Returning graduates. You apply more than six months after graduation. You must have secured an offer of employment relevant to your academic qualifications or work experience, with a remuneration package broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level in Hong Kong.

In both categories, you must hold a degree or higher qualification obtained through a full-time, locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong. Graduates of Greater Bay Area campuses of Hong Kong universities can also apply under an arrangement extended to those campuses.

Please note:

• The arrangements do not apply to nationals of certain countries, currently including Afghanistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This list is set by the government and can change, so confirm your eligibility with us before applying.
• The eligibility criteria and category definitions may change over time as government policy evolves.

Entry of Dependents Under the IANG

Successful applicants can sponsor a spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 to join them, provided they can support and accommodate the family on their own resources without relying on public assistance. A dependent’s limit of stay is normally linked to that of the sponsor, and dependents can generally work or study in Hong Kong during their permitted stay. If you are settling in Hong Kong with family, our team can handle the related dependent visa applications alongside your own.

Processing Time and Approval

The Immigration Department assesses each IANG application, and the time taken depends on your category, the completeness of your documents, and the Department’s own process. The Department handles and decides all matters relating to these visas, processing times are set by the Department, and approval is entirely at its discretion. The Director of Immigration can reject an application even when it appears to meet the criteria, which is exactly why a complete, well-prepared submission matters.

Benefits of the IANG

For Applicants

• Stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without needing a job offer first, if you apply as a fresh graduate.
• Freedom to take up employment, change jobs, or explore the market during your stay without seeking prior approval.
• No quota and no sector restriction, so your application rests on your graduate status rather than competition for places.
• The option to bring your spouse and children with you.
• A clear pathway to permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence, with time spent as a student and as an IANG holder both counting toward it.

For Employers

• Hire a graduate who already holds, or is securing, the right to work in Hong Kong without sponsorship.
• No visa filing and no sponsorship liability for fresh-graduate hires.
• A flexible hire who can move between roles and entities during their permitted stay.
• Direct access to a locally-educated, internationally-diverse talent pool at the start of their careers.

Qualifications and Documents Required

IANG applications rest on clear evidence of your graduate status and, where relevant, your employment, so prepare early matters. You will typically provide:

• A passport valid well beyond your intended stay.
• Accurately and truthfully completed application forms.
• Your graduation certificate or an official letter from your institution confirming your award, including the graduation date.
• Official transcripts of your program.
• For returning graduates, your employment contract or offer letter setting out the post, duties, and remuneration package.
• Proof of accommodation arrangements in Hong Kong, where applicable.

IANG Versus the Top Talent Pass Scheme

A recent graduate can sometimes qualify for more than one route, so applicants often weigh the IANG against the Top Talent Pass Scheme. Both are self-sponsored and neither requires a job offer at the outset, but they serve different profiles.

If you graduated in Hong Kong, the IANG is normally the natural fit. If your degree is from an eligible overseas university, the Top Talent Pass Scheme may be the better match, and our team can assess both against your profile. Employers who need a hire working before a route clears can use our Employer of Record service to onboard local employees compliantly within 48 hours, with ongoing HR compliance support afterward. Please note that our Employer of Record service does not accelerate the issuing of any visa.

Renewal and Extension

Extensions of stay under the IANG are normally granted in patterns of three years at a time, subject to the Immigration Department’s assessment, and you will generally need to show that you have secured employment relevant to your qualifications with remuneration at market level, or that you are running a business you have established in Hong Kong. Start the process before your current stay expires and submit your request several weeks ahead of the end date. Gather your passport, the extension form, your employment or business evidence, and any other supporting documents, then submit through us. We verify that everything is accurate and complete, so you can stay focused on your work while we handle the paperwork.

Common Rejection Causes and How to Avoid Them

For Applicants

The most common reasons applications fall short are:

• Incomplete or inaccurate documents or application forms.
• Missing the six-month window as a fresh graduate without preparing the stronger evidence needed under the returning graduate category.
• For returning graduates, a job offer that is not clearly relevant to the qualifications, or a remuneration package below market level.
• Graduation evidence that does not clearly confirm the award or the graduation date.

To reduce these risks, apply early if you can, review every document for accuracy before submitting, and ensure the link between your qualifications and any job offer is clearly documented. We handle this groundwork for you, which is a large part of how we help present a complete and consistent case.

How We Support IANG Applications

From the moment you reach out, you work with a dedicated consultant who manages your case from initial assessment through document preparation, submission, and final collection, then supports you on arrival. With experience across many graduate and employment-related cases, we confirm your category, efficiently work through the requirements, and keep you informed at every stage. A service fee refund may apply under our stated terms, and the final decision on any visa always rests with the Immigration Department.

Disclaimer: We provide independent Immigration advice and assistance and are not affiliated with the Hong Kong Government or the Immigration Department.

FAQs About the IANG Visa