Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
TECHNOLOGY TALENT ADMISSION SCHEME (TECHTAS)
Introduction
This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to enter/stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment under TechTAS.
TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit non-local technology talent to undertake research and development (R&D) work for them in the HKSAR. Eligible companies would first have to apply for a quota. A company allotted with a quota by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) can accordingly sponsor an eligible person to apply for an employment visa/entry permit within the 12-month quota validity period. It also has to fulfil the requirement to employ new local employees in technology-related work. For details of TechTAS, please refer to the “Application Guide – TechTAS 01” and “Application Guide – TechTAS 02” in the website of ITC.
TechTAS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.
Eligibility Criteria
An application for a visa/entry permit to take up employment under TechTAS may be favourably considered if:
1. there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the
applicant;
2. the employing company has a valid quota approved by ITC at the time of application;
3. the applicant is employed as a full-time employee in the HKSAR by the employing company;
4. the applicant is engaged principally in conducting R&D in the areas of artificial
intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial technologies,
material science, robotics, 5G communications, digital entertainment, green technology,
integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things or microelectronics;
5. the applicant is a degree-holder in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
(STEM) from a well-recognised university, which is among the top 100 universities for
STEM-related subjects in the latest publication of any of the following world university
ranking tables:
Ranking Tables | STEM-related Subjects |
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) | - Engineering and Technology - Life Sciences and Medicine - Natural Sciences |
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai Ranking) | - Life and Agriculture Sciences (LIFE) - Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SCI) - Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences (ENG) - Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy (MED) |
Times Higher Education | - Engineering and Technology - Computer Science - Life Sciences - Physical Sciences - Clinical, Pre-clinical and Health |
Work experience is not compulsory for those with a Master’s or Doctoral degree, whereas those with a Bachelor’s degree only should possess a minimum of one year of work experience in the relevant technology area. Persons not meeting the academic requirements but possessing good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements can be considered on a case-by-case basis with full justifications. In such case, relevant documentary evidence should be provided;
1. the applicant is offered remuneration not lower than the prevailing market level for
comparable jobs in the HKSAR;
2. the applicant meets the specific particulars pertaining to the job position set out in
the quota allotment letter issued by ITC; and
3. the bona fides of the employing company and the applicant are not in doubt.
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to work in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.
Processing Time
It normally takes two weeks to process applications for employment visa/entry permit under TechTAS upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to finalise the processing of the application unless all the required supporting documents and information have been received.
All visa/entry permit 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.
POL- 23a9 Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) 15-9-2022 .pdf
Technology Talent Admission SchemeApplication Guide .pdf
Technology Talent Admission SchemeApplication Guide TechTAS 02.pdf
