All three are self-sponsored HK schemes with no employer required at entry, but they target different profiles. IANG is specifically for recent graduates of Hong Kong or recognised overseas institutions — it is the post-study work pathway. QMAS is a points-based global talent scheme with an annual quota, open to all nationalities based on professional or academic achievement. TTPS is the fastest and most straightforward — targeting very high earners (HKD 2.5M+ annual income) or graduates of the world’s top 100 universities, with no quota for Categories A and B. Simard & Associates identifies which scheme best fits your profile and prepares the strongest possible application.

HKPR requires 7 years of ordinary continuous residence in Hong Kong under a permissible visa category. The 7-year clock begins from the date of the first lawful stay — including time as a student, work visa holder, QMAS, TTPS, IANG, or dependant visa holder. Extended absences from HK do not automatically reset the clock but can impact the “ordinary residence” assessment. Simard & Associates tracks residency milestones for all clients from day one and advises on maintaining qualifying continuous residence throughout the 7-year period.

Yes — Hong Kong’s Dependant Visa grants holders the unrestricted right to take up employment with any employer in any sector, without needing a separate work visa or employer endorsement. This is significantly more flexible than dependant visa regimes in Singapore, the UAE, or Japan, where separate work authorisation is typically required. Time worked in HK on a dependant visa also counts toward the 7-year HKPR eligibility period.

Working for an employer other than your approved sponsor — even temporarily — constitutes a breach of your visa conditions under Hong Kong immigration law. This can result in visa cancellation, a bar on future HK applications, or in serious cases, criminal liability. The correct procedure is to apply for a Change of Visa Sponsor before or simultaneously with commencing employment with the new employer. Simard & Associates manages this transition to ensure no gap in legal work status during career changes.

Category A is for individuals who earned at least HKD 2,500,000 (approx. USD 320,000) in the 12 months prior to application — no education requirement. Category B is for graduates of the world’s top 100 universities (as listed in specified global rankings) with at least 3 years of accumulated work experience — no income threshold. Category C is for graduates of the world’s top 100 universities with less than 3 years of experience — this category is subject to an annual quota of 10,000 places. All three categories receive a 2-year initial stay with no job offer required.

Yes. Time spent in Hong Kong on an IANG visa — provided it is lawful and continuous — counts toward the 7-year ordinary residence requirement for HKPR. This means a student who transitions to IANG after graduation, then to a GEP work visa after finding employment, can accumulate 7 years across all three statuses. Simard & Associates plans the full residency accumulation journey from the student visa stage to ensure every year counts toward HKPR eligibility.

Standard GEP documentation includes: completed visa application form (ID91 / ID990A), valid travel document, employer’s covering letter on company letterhead with business registration certificate, signed employment contract (specifying role, salary, and start date), applicant’s CV and academic qualifications, professional certifications where applicable, and passport-sized photographs. For senior roles, evidence of the applicant’s unique expertise or industry profile may strengthen the application. Simard & Associates prepares and reviews the full document pack and liaises directly with the Immigration Department on the client’s behalf.

Yes. The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) is exclusively for mainland Chinese nationals. Overseas nationals — including those from other countries — must apply through the General Employment Policy (GEP) stream instead. While structurally similar in requirements (confirmed employer, relevant qualifications, market-competitive salary), the two schemes are administered separately. Simard & Associates confirms the correct stream based on the applicant’s nationality and advises accordingly.