Ways to live in Hong Kong
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Top Talent Pass Scheme
Lets high earners and graduates of listed top universities move to Hong Kong without a job offer and then look for work or start a business.
- What you need
- Either annual income of at least HK$2.5 million (about $320,000), or a degree from a listed top university (with or without 3+ years of experience; annual quota for recent graduates). Not open to citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea.
- Income
- from about $26,700 a month
- How long
- 24–36 months at first, then extensions of up to 3 years if you work or run a business
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- HK$600 application + HK$1,300 visa, per person
- Processing time
- About 4 weeks
- How to apply
- Online with the Immigration Department
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Yes, permanent residence after 7 continuous years
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
Points-based scheme for highly skilled or talented people; no job offer needed before arrival.
- What you need
- Age 18+, able to support yourself and family, clean record and normally a degree. You must pass a points test; selection is competitive.
- How long
- 36 months or 8 years at first, depending on the points test, then extensions
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- HK$600 application + HK$1,300 visa, per person
- Processing time
- Depends on selection rounds; extensions about 2–3 weeks
- How to apply
- Online with the Immigration Department
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Yes, permanent residence after 7 continuous years
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
Residence for investors who hold and invest at least HK$30 million in Hong Kong.
- What you need
- Net assets of at least HK$30 million (about $3.85 million) for the 6 months before applying, with HK$27 million invested in approved financial assets or property and HK$3 million in a government investment portfolio. Property is capped, and a home must be a single unit worth at least HK$30 million.
- Savings
- about $3,850,000
- How long
- 24 months initially, then extensions of up to 3 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Immigration Department application and visa fees
- How to apply
- Asset check with InvestHK, Hong Kong's investment agency, then the visa with the Immigration Department
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Yes, permanent residence after 7 continuous years
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $900 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $2,300 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $3,500 |
| Bills | $150 |
| Typical local salary | $2,500 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Dense, efficient and energetic, Hong Kong pairs a world-class food scene with surprisingly wild nature. Expats often live on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon, while Sai Kung and Lantau offer beaches and greener, quieter streets.
Day to day
The metro, ferries and trams are fast, clean and cheap, and one contactless card covers them all. Public hospitals are good but busy, private care is excellent. Internet is very fast, and English is widely used alongside Cantonese.
Trade-offs
Housing is among the most expensive anywhere, and flats are tiny. Summers are hot, humid and bring typhoons. The pace is intense, and the political climate has changed in recent years.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom180 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates30 days
South Africa30 days
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Hong Kong have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Hong Kong?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Hong Kong were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Hong Kong were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- ImmD — Visit visa / visa-free periods
- ImmD — Top Talent Pass Scheme
- ImmD — Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- ImmD — New CIES
- ImmD — New fee structure for specified schemes
- New CIES Office (InvestHK)
- Rules for the New CIES
- Gov HK — New CIES enhancement measures (Jan 2025)
- https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
