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- Basis for applying
- Eligible non-local or GBA-campus graduates
- Job offer
- Usually no offer for applications within six months of graduation
- Initial stay
- Normally 24 months
Eligibility: programme and graduation date
Check the programme first. Eligible non-local graduates generally completed full-time, locally accredited study in Hong Kong. Current definitions include a bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate lasting at least one academic year, or an eligible QF Level 5+ qualification with at least 120 QF credits and one academic year of study. GBA campus graduates must meet the specified institution/programme scope. Not every short, part-time or overseas course qualifies. Afghan, Cuban and North Korean nationals are excluded; Lao, Nepalese and Vietnamese nationals face additional programme restrictions.
| Time of application | Employment requirement | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Within six months of graduation | Recent graduates need no job offer when applying. | Official graduation date and programme eligibility. |
| More than six months after graduation | Non-recent graduates need qualifying Hong Kong employment. | Role, pay and relationship to qualifications. |
The six months run from the graduation date on the certificate, not first arrival, admission or certificate collection.
Application documents: recent and non-recent graduates
| Applies to | Checklist |
|---|---|
| Everyone | Photo, travel document and HKID if held; student visa, entry and stay records if in Hong Kong; graduation certificate, transcript or formal graduation confirmation; Mainland consent and regional residence evidence where applicable. |
| Within six months of graduation | No job offer needed. If the certificate is pending, use acceptable institutional confirmation that you have graduated. Pending results and an unissued certificate are different situations. |
| Beyond six months | Hong Kong offer/contract showing a graduate-level role, pay, benefits and term; employer registration and financial evidence, plus a business plan if formed within 12 months. Check any exemption. |
| Dependants | Each person’s identity, photo and qualifying relationship evidence. |
Count six months from the graduation date on the certificate and track your existing stay expiry separately. Both groups normally receive 24 months initially; non-recent applicants still need a qualifying role and market-level remuneration.
Submit conditional documents where applicable; Immigration may request more. Documents not in Chinese or English need an accepted certified translation. Start with a background summary; send identity and financial records through the controlled project channel.
Connect job preparation with renewal records
Keep employment terms, work and salary records, and update your CV when changing roles. Identify target jobs, current skills and gaps; permission to stay does not guarantee employment.
Verify eligibility before choosing a course
If you plan to work in Hong Kong after study, check the awarding institution, course level, study mode and graduation evidence against IANG before choosing a course. Admission does not guarantee immigration eligibility.