Tag: IANG

Hong Kong IANG visa policy updates 2026: the 36-month extension model (2+2+3), who qualifies, employer sponsorship conditions, income thresholds, and the full permanent residency path explained step by step.

Hong Kong's 2026 IANG visa policy updates — 24-month initial stay extension, income threshold criteria, and renewal requirements for non-local graduates. Covers what changed in 2026, official eligibility criteria, renewal pitfalls, salary benchmarks across 7 industries, and the 7-year PR pathway.

After graduation, students can apply for an IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates) visa, allowing a stay of up to 12 months without an employer to seek employment. Once a job is secured, an employer-sponsored Employment Visa can be applied for. The process requires a degree certificate, financial proof, and other documents.

Hong Kong student visa (IANG) extensions must be applied for within 4 weeks before expiry. Required documents include a university extension letter, financial proof, transcripts, and recent photos. Processing takes 2-4 weeks and costs HKD 190. Rejections are mainly due to poor academics or low attendance.

IANG holders have unrestricted work authorisation in Hong Kong for 24 months — full-time employee, freelancer, founder, or job-seeker. The HK graduate market in 2026 absorbs roughly 78% of IANG holders into full-time employment within 6 months, with the strongest pull from finance (28%), tech (19%), professional services (16%) and academia/research (8%).

IANG is the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates: a 24-month, no-employer-required Hong Kong visa for graduates of full-time HKSAR sub-degree, bachelor's, master's, or PhD programmes. Apply within six months of graduation; the first stamp is open work authorisation.

IANG holders can apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency (PR) after 7 years of 'ordinary residence'. This article explains the 7-year calculation (including student years), the definition of 'ordinary residence', factors that may interrupt the count, the PR application process, and subsequent rights.

The IANG application process involves three steps: prepare documents before graduation, submit to the Immigration Department after graduation, and wait 2–4 weeks for approval. No employer offer is required, but a degree certificate and a clean criminal record are needed. Refusals are often due to eligibility issues or character flaws; appeals can be made to the Immigration Department.

The IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates) allows graduates from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas to stay in Hong Kong for 24 months to find work. This article explains IANG's definition, the 24-month rule, renewal policies, restrictions, and the transition process from a student visa.