How to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

Want to know more about the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) visa for Hong Kong? You’re in the right place.

The IANG visa is an immigrant agreement available to encourage non-local students to stay or return to work in Hong Kong. The IANG is quota-free and non-sector-specific¹, but the scheme has some eligibility criteria.

Read this guide to learn more about the IANG visa — we’ll also touch on how to save money as an expat in Hong Kong using Wise. With Wise, you’ll cut the costs for international payments, leaving you with more to save for yourself.

Learn more about Wise

Table of contents
Who can apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong? What documents are needed to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong? How to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong? How much does it cost to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong? How long does it take to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

Who can apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

To apply for an IANG Visa in Hong Kong, you will need to either:

• Complete an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong. In this case, you will be referred to as a non-local graduate; or
• Obtain an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time programme offered by GBA campuses.

If you submit applications to the Immigration Department within six months after the date shown on your graduation certificates, you are classified as a recent graduate. You don't have to secure a job offer upon visa application. And, you can stay up to 24 months¹, given that you don't violate standard immigration requirements.

If you submit applications to the Immigration Department after six months from the date shown on your graduation certificates, you are classified as a non-recent graduate. If you still want to stay or return to work in the HKSAR, you must secure an employment offer upon application. You are also granted 24 months¹ to stay if you don't violate standard immigration requirements.

Temporarily, you cannot apply for an IANG visa if you are from Afghanistan, Cuba or Democratic People's Republic of Korea. For Laos, Nepal and Vietnam residents, the IANG is only offered to those who have obtained a locally-accredited undergraduate/ higher institution funded by the University Grants Committee, with some exceptions and GBA campus graduates.

What documents are needed to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

If you are in the recent graduates group, you must prepare these documents:¹

• Online application for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong;
• The applicant's recent photograph;
• The applicant's valid travel document (eg. passport)containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable);
• For an applicant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, submit a photocopy of valid travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable); or
• For Chinese residents of the Mainland who have not been issued with a travel document, they can submit a photocopy of their People's Republic of China resident identity cards;
• The applicant's Hong Kong identity card (if any);
• Official transcript of academic records, graduation certificate or supporting materials from the eligible education institutions;
• Letter of consent from the applicant's present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities (page 10 of ID990A); and
• Other supporting documents (if applicable)(eg. Macao identity card/ household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card/applicant’s overseas residence/etc).

If you are in the non-recent graduates group, you are also required to submit the above documents. In addition, you need to add:

• Company’s employment contract or letter of appointment containing information about post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period.

How to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

You can start your online application by following these steps.

1. Gather all of your required documents
2. Access the online portal. Check out your application type. Then click continue.
3. Review the important notes and confirm your declaration.
4. Review the Copyright Notice, confirm your declaration, and input your Validation code. Then you can Start your application.
5. Start to fill in your personal information and submit the required documents as the website guides you.
6. Review and submit your application.

How much does it cost to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

You will make your payment after you receive approval of the applications. The notification of the application result will also include a webpage link for payment. You will be charged HKD230² for an IANG Visa. You can pay this fee by your credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, you can immediately download or print the “e-Visa” by yourself.

How long does it take to apply for an IANG visa in Hong Kong?

Generally, applications submitted under the IANG visa in Hong Kong take about two to four weeks. However, the exact time may vary depending on your circumstances and how many applications are being processed at that time you apply. Usually, during the summer rush period between June and August, you might have to experience a longer processing time.

It is important to understand that the approval of applications is solely at the government's discretion and subject to policy changes. The Director of Immigration has complete authority to reject any application, even if it satisfies all eligibility criteria.

If you plan to work in Hong Kong after completing your studies, you might also be interested in sending your hard-earned money to support your loved ones in your home country. In such a case, Wise is a great option to consider.

Wise offers a transparent fee structure that is easy to understand. With Wise, you will always enjoy the mid-market exchange rate for currency conversion, along with low and transparent fees. You can easily review exactly what you’re paying - and what your recipient will get - before you even hit confirm a transfer.

And with that, all the bases for obtaining an IANG visa in Hong Kong have been covered in this article. However, it is always a good idea to keep up to date with the most recent requirements, as the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.

When it’s time to send your money back home, choose Wise to cut the costs and get your money safely to where it needs to be without any hidden fees.

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Sources:

1 Immigration Department: Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
2 Immigration Department: Fee Tables

Sources last checked on 11 Jan 2024