Hong Kong•AsiaID(E) 1018 — Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (優才計劃-第二代)
At a Glance
2–3 weeks
HKD $600
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Enables overseas-born adult children aged 18–40 of Hong Kong permanent residents to settle with unrestricted work authorization and no job offer requirement.
The Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG) allows overseas-born adults aged 18–40 to return without a prior job offer. Applicants need one parent holding a valid HK Permanent Identity Card (who was a Chinese national settled overseas at applicant's birth), a bachelor's degree, and proof of financial self-sufficiency.
Initial stay is 24 months, renewable in 3-year increments (2+3+3 pattern); top-tier earners (HKD 2M+ annual income) may receive 6-year extensions. Application fee: HKD 600. Unrestricted work authorization permits employment changes and business establishment without prior approval. Spouses may work. Processing: 2–3 weeks. After 7 years' continuous residence, qualifying for right of abode.
This visa is ideal for overseas-born young professionals reconnecting with Hong Kong heritage while launching careers without needing a pre-arranged job offer.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Hong KongRight of Abode / Permanent Residence (居留權/永久性居民)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Aged 18 to 40 at the time of application.
Born overseas (outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan).
At least one parent must be a holder of a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and was a Chinese national who had settled overseas at the time of the applicant's birth.
Possess a good education background, normally a first degree.
Proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.
Sufficient financial means to support self and dependants without recourse to public funds.
No adverse immigration or criminal record.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Online application submitted via the ASSG application portal (no separate PDF form required).
Recent photograph.
Valid travel document.
Birth certificate or other evidence of relationship with Hong Kong permanent resident parent.
Valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card of the parent.
Proof of academic qualifications and work experience.
Proof of financial standing (bank statements, tax receipts, etc.).
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Unrestricted work authorization—change jobs, start businesses, or work freelance without employer approval
- No job offer required before entry—apply and begin work or entrepreneurship independently
- Initial 24-month stay renewable for 3-year periods; flexible extensions available
- Direct pathway to permanent residency after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence
- Spouse and dependent family members can accompany and work without restriction
- No minimum income threshold for initial stay—only require proof of financial self-sufficiency
Worth Knowing
- Strictly limited to applicants aged 18-40; no exceptions for individuals older than upper age bound
- Parent must have settled overseas at birth; historical criterion difficult to retroactively prove
- Bachelor's degree required; applicants without formal university qualification non-qualifying
- Extensions require employment at degree-holder level with market-rate pay or established business proof
- Approval is discretionary and subject to evolving government policy
Application Process
Confirm qualification
Aged 18-40, born overseas, at least one parent holding a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card who was a Chinese national settled overseas at time of applicant's birth.
Prepare documents
Gather valid travel document, recent photograph, birth certificate (proof of parental relationship), parent's HK Permanent Identity Card, proof of academic qualifications and work experience, and proof of financial standing.
Submit online application
Apply via the ASSG online portal at gov.hk. No job offer is required at this stage. Pay the HKD 600 non-refundable application fee.
Await processing
Normally takes about 2-3 weeks upon receipt of all required documents and the application fee.
Receive entry permit
Upon approval an entry permit is issued (e-Visa). The initial stay is 24 months on time limitation only.
Extend stay
Before expiry apply for extension. Must demonstrate employment at degree-holder level at market-rate remuneration (or proof of established business). Extension periods are normally up to 3 years each (2+3+3 pattern).
Pathway to permanent residency
After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, qualifying to apply for right of abode.
Related visas
More visas in Hong Kong
Work visas in other countries
- Francophone Mobility Work Permit (Mobilité Francophone)
Canada
- Hong Kong BN(O) Adult Child Visa
United Kingdom
- Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
Philippines
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