Direct answer
IANG (Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates) is a Hong Kong immigration scheme that lets non-local graduates of HKSAR full-time degree programmes stay in Hong Kong for 24 months after graduation without first needing a job offer. Apply through the Immigration Department within six months of graduation. The visa carries open work authorisation — you can start a job, freelance, set up a company, intern, or continue studying. Approval rates are very high (above 95% for first-time IANG applications from non-local graduates of UGC universities, based on the Immigration Department’s annual statistics for the 2024–2025 reporting year).
After the initial 24-month period, you can extend IANG (typically 3 years at a time) provided you have a relevant job. Seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong qualifies you to apply for the Right of Abode (permanent residency) under the Immigration Ordinance.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for IANG if you have completed, in Hong Kong, a full-time programme of:
- a sub-degree (associate degree or higher diploma — admitted from 2008 onwards),
- a bachelor’s degree,
- a taught master’s,
- a research master’s, or
- a doctoral degree.
Programmes must be at level 4 or above on the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and accredited by HKCAAVQ or one of the eight UGC-funded universities.
Distance-learning, part-time, executive-MBA-only, and offshore campus programmes generally do not qualify. Confirm the status of your programme directly with your university’s Student Affairs Office before relying on IANG.
Timeline from graduation to IANG approval
| Step | Timing | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Result release | Day 0 | University releases final academic transcript or programme completion letter. |
| 2. Apply | Within 6 months of result release | Submit IANG application online via Immigration Department’s e-platform (form ID 990A). Required: passport copy, proof of completion, supporting documents. Fee: HK$230 + HK$135 visa label = HK$365 in 2026. |
| 3. Processing | 4–6 weeks (typical) | Immigration Department processes the application. Most applications go through without an interview. |
| 4. Visa label | Within ~6 weeks of approval | Collect visa label in person; activates 24-month IANG. |
| 5. HKID renewal | Within 30 days of visa | If your existing student-visa HKID is expiring, renew it. |
If you graduated more than six months ago, you can still apply under the “Return for Employment” route, but the criteria differ — see Returning for IANG after a gap.
What you can do during IANG
The first 24-month IANG carries open work authorisation:
- Find a full-time job in any sector or salary band. Employers do not need to sponsor a separate work visa.
- Start a company. Many IANG holders register a Hong Kong limited company and operate as a director.
- Freelance or contract. Both B2B contracting and consumer freelancing are allowed.
- Intern. Internships count toward the 7-year residency calculation.
- Continue studying. A second taught postgraduate programme is allowed; the IANG continues to run in parallel.
- Travel in and out of Hong Kong freely. Multiple-entry visa.
You cannot vote in HK elections during IANG (right of abode is required), and you cannot bring dependants on your IANG alone — dependants need their own dependent visa, which itself requires you to first secure full-time employment in HK at a salary above the published minimum (typically the 50th percentile salary for the relevant occupation).
IANG vs. other Hong Kong work visas
| Feature | IANG | General Employment Policy (GEP) | Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial duration | 24 months | 24 months (renewable) | 24 months |
| Employer offer required up-front | No | Yes | No |
| Salary floor | None (initial 24 mo) | Above HK market average for occupation | Various tiers (degree from QS top-100 / income ≥ HK$2.5m last year) |
| Open work authorisation | Yes | Restricted to sponsoring employer | Yes |
| Pathway to PR | Yes (7 years ordinary residence) | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Recent HK graduate | Mid-career hire with HK offer | Top global talent / high earner |
For HK graduates, IANG is almost always the right starting point — it costs less than HK$400, has the highest approval rate, and gives you full flexibility for the first two years.
Failure scenarios and what to do
- Six-month window missed. Apply under “Return for Employment” route; this requires a confirmed HK job offer at or above the average HK salary for the occupation. Approval is harder.
- Programme is part-time / distance. IANG is not available. Consider TTPS (if you meet the criteria) or a regular work visa.
- Application rejected. Common causes: incomplete documentation, programme not on the accredited list, criminal-record disclosure issue. You can re-apply once issues are addressed; serious cases may need a HK immigration lawyer.
Sources
- Immigration Department of HKSAR — IANG: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html
- Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Right of Abode: https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115
- HKCAAVQ accreditation register: https://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk
Related Q&A
- How do I apply for IANG step-by-step? Documents, fees, and the e-form
- Can I switch from a student visa to IANG without leaving Hong Kong?
- What does the IANG renewal cycle look like, and how do I get to permanent residency?
- Working part-time during your master’s: what’s actually allowed under the student visa?