IANG Visa Guide: What Are The Requirements, Docs & Renewal

What is IANG?

IANG stands for the "Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates." It is a designated immigration scheme established by the Immigration Department to attract and retain non-local professional talent, featuring no quotas or industry restrictions.

As long as one is an eligible non-local graduate or a graduate from a Greater Bay Area (GBA) joint venture institution and meets general entry requirements, they can be granted a visa under the IANG arrangements to engage in professional work and accumulate local work experience in Hong Kong.

According to the Immigration Department website, "non-local graduates" refers to non-local students who have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher qualification by studying a full-time locally-accredited program in Hong Kong; "GBA campus graduates" are individuals who have completed a full-time bachelor's degree or higher program at a GBA joint venture institution established by Mainland and Hong Kong universities.

Who Can Apply for IANG?

Overall, the following individuals are eligible to apply to come to or stay in Hong Kong for employment under IANG:

• Non-local students who have studied a full-time, locally-accredited bachelor's degree or higher program in Hong Kong;
  
• GBA campus graduates who have completed a full-time bachelor's degree or higher program at a GBA joint venture institution;
  
• Applicants must meet general entry requirements (e.g., holding a valid travel document, having no criminal record, etc.). If categorized as "non-fresh" graduates, they must have already secured an employment offer from a Hong Kong employer at the time of application, and the position must be one typically occupied by a degree holder with remuneration and benefits at market levels.
  

Eligible individuals who apply within 6 months of their graduation certificate date are considered "fresh non-local graduates." This means they do not need to have found a job yet; as long as they meet general entry requirements, they are usually granted an initial stay of approximately 24 months without other stay conditions, allowing them to change employers freely.

If applying more than 6 months after graduation, they are classified as "non-fresh non-local graduates." If they intend to return to Hong Kong for work, they must secure employment before applying. Once approved, they can also stay in Hong Kong for 24 months without other stay conditions.

How to Apply for an IANG Visa?

Applicants should first confirm whether they are "fresh" or "non-fresh" non-local/GBA campus graduates and prepare required documents such as: passport, entry records, graduation proof, and a recent photo. Then, they can submit the IANG application and pay the fee through the Immigration Department's online system, providing additional information as requested.

However, "non-fresh" applicants must have been hired by a Hong Kong company. The employer must provide the Business Registration (BR), basic company operational data, an employment contract or offer letter (specifying position, duties, and salary), and maintain financial and personnel records to respond to Immigration Department inquiries or document requests, helping the employee's approval and future renewals.

What Are The Steps to Apply for IANG

• Applicant confirms application category and eligibility status.
  
• Complete the application form online.
  
• Submit the application and upload all supporting documents.
  
• Pay the application fee of HK$600 (non-refundable).
  
• Wait for approval and submit additional information as needed.
  
• Upon approval, pay the visa fee and download the e-visa.
  
• Arrange entry.
  

After approval, the Immigration Department issues a notification with a payment link and e-visa download page. After successful payment, the applicant can download or print the A4-sized e-visa, which must be presented along with a valid travel document upon entry for the encrypted QR code to be scanned.

Required Documents for IANG Application

Required documents for IANG depend on whether the applicant is a "fresh" or "non-fresh" graduate. Key documents and notes include:

• Recent Photo and Identity/Travel Documents: Applicants must provide a valid travel document (passport or Mainland ID and permit, etc.) showing personal details, issue, and expiry dates.
  
• If currently staying in Hong Kong, they must provide the latest entry stamp, entry label, or extension of stay label and the latest issued e-visa record.
  
• Academic and Graduation Proof: Applicants must submit official transcripts, graduation certificates, or a graduation testimonial from the degree-awarding institution proving completion of a full-time locally-accredited program in Hong Kong or a bachelor's degree or higher at a GBA joint venture institution.
  
• Employer's Company Documents: Employers generally must submit the Business Registration Certificate (BR), latest audited financial statements, profit and loss account, or profits tax return to prove the company is a genuine operation with the ability to pay salaries. For companies established for less than 12 months, the Immigration Department may request a detailed business plan outlining funding sources, estimated capital injection, business model, and projected turnover. Therefore, startups hiring IANG staff should organize financial and business plan documents early.
  
• Employment Contract or Offer Letter: The employer must submit a signed contract or offer letter specifying the position title, nature of work, salary, other benefits, and employment period. The Immigration Department will evaluate if the job is typically held by a degree holder and if the remuneration meets Hong Kong market levels.
  

IANG Processing Time

Generally, IANG applications for fresh non-local and fresh GBA campus graduates are processed within two weeks; non-fresh graduates typically take about four weeks.

The actual time depends on case complexity and seasonal application volume. June to August is the peak period; employers planning to hire many IANG staff during graduation season should reserve more time to avoid affecting onboarding and payroll.

What are the Requirements for IANG Renewal?

For IANG visa renewals, graduates should submit their application within four weeks before their current stay expires. The key to successful renewal is that the applicant must have secured employment with a Hong Kong enterprise, the duties must match the qualifications of a degree holder, and remuneration must reach market levels.

If an applicant chooses to start or participate in a business in Hong Kong, they must submit relevant business proof for review. Once approved, stay is usually extended in a "3-3" year pattern, offering high employment flexibility without other stay conditions.

Applicants can also apply for IANG renewal (extension of stay) under the "Top Talent Category" if:

• They have secured employment or started/participated in a business in Hong Kong;
  
• They have been permitted to stay under IANG for no less than two years; and
  
• Their assessable income for salaries tax in the previous year reached HK$2 million or above. Approved applicants under this category can stay in a "3-3 year" pattern without other stay conditions.
  

Tips for Employers Hiring IANG Staff

For companies hiring or planning to hire IANG holders, the priority is ensuring the position is genuine, the content matches degree levels, and remuneration meets market levels. Otherwise, both the initial and future IANG renewals may be questioned or rejected.

Employers should maintain complete personnel files and financial data, including contracts, job descriptions, salary and raise records, and recent financial statements. This assists with visa approvals and provides evidence for future tax or labor disputes. Additionally, companies should track IANG visa and renewal expiry dates to avoid having staff work or receive payroll while their visa is expired.

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