TTPS, QMAS, ASMTP, IANG — all the same: between approval and the ID card sit the e-visa, the D endorsement, entry activation and a 30-day deadline. This page walks you through in order.
StartThe order matters — watch the two "6 months" and the one "30 days"
The approval letter includes payment instructions; pay within 6 months. Once paid, download your e-visa.
Take your travel permit (validity 2+ years recommended) to the Mainland exit/entry authority for a Category D stay endorsement — usually by appointment.
Enter Hong Kong within 6 months of payment to activate the visa. Keep the small landing slip from immigration — you'll need it.
Register within 30 days of arrival (if 18+ and staying over 180 days). Online booking only — no walk-ins.
Attend in person at a Registration of Persons Office: fingerprints, photo, and you get a "walking paper" (temporary ID) on the spot. Collect the formal card ~7 working days later.
Miss one item and it's a wasted trip
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Entry document | Mainland Travel Permit (or passport) original |
| E-visa | Printed copy, matching what you used for the D endorsement |
| Landing slip | The small slip issued at immigration on arrival — keep it safe |
| Booking confirmation | Online booking confirmation (printed or screenshot) |
| Application form | Download and fill in advance, or pick one up on site |
| Approval letter | Print a copy for reference |
| Child's birth certificate | Required original for first-time registration of children aged 11+ |
Almost every new arrival asks these
The application receipt serves as a temporary ID — valid for opening bank accounts, signing up for phone plans and seeing a doctor. The formal card naturally replaces it.
You can apply for permanent residency after 7 years of "ordinary residence" in HK — counting from when you activated your visa and started living here normally.
From age 11, children must register for an ID card (usually arranged by school in Form One); children under 11 don't need one.
If you don't have status yet, first see which route fits you
| Route | Core requirements | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| TTPS (Top Talent) | Category A: annual income ≥ $2.5M ｜ B: top-100 bachelor + 3 yrs experience ｜ C: top-100 bachelor (annual cap 10,000) | 4–8 weeks |
| QMAS (Quality Migrant) | General Points Test ≥ 80, no quota, no employer needed | Several months |
| ASMTP (Employment) | A job offer from a HK employer; the post must be hard to fill locally | 6–12 weeks |
| IANG | Full-time bachelor's/master's graduate of a HK institution, apply within 6 months of graduation | 2–4 weeks |
| Investment Migration | Net assets ≥ $30M (non-Mainland-registered persons) | Several months |
Booking, status checks, form downloads — all free
ID card booking is only done through the official system — any paid "booking service" is money you can save.
External links are for reference only; this platform is not affiliated with these bodies. Process details per the latest Immigration Department announcements.
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