Immigration Arrangements for
Non-local Graduates (IANG) 

Unlock Your Hong Kong Career with the IANG Visa – Wiselink Global Simplifies the Journey.

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The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) provides a quota-free, non-sector-specific pathway for eligible professionals to enter or stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for employment. Administered by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), this scheme is designed for:

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1. Non-local Graduates: Persons who entered the HKSAR on a student visa/entry permit and have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification from a full-time, locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong.

2. GBA Campus Graduates: Persons who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification from a full-time programme offered in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by institutions jointly established by Mainland and Hong Kong universities under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools.

 

Eligibility Requirements

• The IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).

• For nationals of Laos, Nepal, and Vietnam, eligibility is strictly limited to:

  • Graduates of full-time locally-accredited local programmes offered by UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong (excluding self-financing programmes, programmes by continuing/professional education arms, and exchange/short-term studies).

  • GBA Campus Graduates (as defined above).

 

(i) Non-local graduates

Non-local graduates here refer to non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in the HKSAR.

Non-local graduates who submit applications to the Immigration Department (hereafter “ImmD”) within six months after the date of their graduation (i.e. the date shown on their graduation certificates) are classified as non-local recent graduates.

Non-local graduates who submit applications beyond six months of the date of their graduation are classified as non-local non-recent graduates.

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Non-local recent graduates who wish to apply to stay and work in the HKSAR are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application. They may be granted 24 months' stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met. Those who intend to apply to stay and work in the HKSAR but have not yet secured graduation results may apply for extension of stay to wait for the promulgation of results. Non-local recent graduates who have not yet obtained their graduation certificate could apply to stay and work by producing proof from the institution confirming that they have graduated.

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Non-local non-recent graduates who wish to return to work in the HKSAR are required to secure an offer of employment upon application. The applications will be favourably considered so long as the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level. They may be granted 24 months' stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.

 

(ii) GBA campus graduates

GBA campus graduates here refer to persons who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time programme offered by a higher education institution in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area jointly established by universities of the Mainland and Hong Kong in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools.

GBA campus graduates who submit applications to the ImmD within six months after the date of their graduation (i.e. the date shown on their graduation certificates) are classified as GBA campus recent graduates.

GBA campus graduates who submit applications beyond six months of the date of their graduation are classified as GBA campus non-recent graduates.

GBA campus recent graduates who wish to apply to come and work in the HKSAR are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application. They may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met. GBA campus recent graduates who have not yet obtained their graduation certificate could apply to come and work by producing proof from the institution confirming that they have graduated.

 

GBA campus non-recent graduates who wish to come to work in the HKSAR are required to secure an offer of employment upon application. The applications will be favourably considered so long as the job is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders and the remuneration package is at market level. They may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.

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.

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Navigating the IANG requires meticulous attention to distinct applicant categories, complex documentation (academic verification, employment proof for non-recent graduates), and strict adherence to ImmD's evolving requirements. Errors or omissions, particularly concerning eligibility nuances or during peak seasons, can lead to significant delays or rejection.

 

Wiselink Global: Your Expert IANG Navigator

 

We transform this intricate regulatory process into a clear and efficient pathway:

1. Precise Eligibility Assessment: Confirming your status (Non-local Graduate, GBA Graduate) and navigating critical restrictions (e.g., nationality-specific rules).

2. Category-Specific Strategy: Optimizing your application timeline (recent vs. non-recent graduate requirements) and documentation.

3. Compliant Documentation: Expertly preparing and verifying all required proofs (academic, employment contracts, dependent sponsorship) to meet ImmD standards.

4. ImmD Liaison: Managing submissions and communications proactively to ensure compliance and minimize delays.

5. Long-Term Planning: Guiding you through extensions and the pathway to the right of abode after 7 years of continuous residence.

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Partner with Wiselink Global – ensure your IANG application leverages your qualifications and unlocks your potential in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city.​