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- Basis for applying
- Eligible R&D role and employer quota
- Job offer
- Eligible full-time employment required
- Initial stay
- Determined by approval and employment contract
Eligibility: quota, R&D role, qualifications and experience
| Check | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Employer and role | A valid company quota; full-time employment principally in Hong Kong R&D; the role must match the quota letter and pay at least the comparable market rate. |
| Qualification | Normally a STEM degree from a recognised university meeting the top-100 STEM-subject requirement in a specified current ranking. |
| Experience | Bachelor’s-only holders normally need at least one year of relevant technology experience. Master’s/doctoral holders have no compulsory experience requirement. |
| Exceptions and general rules | Strong documented technical ability, professional experience or achievements may justify individual consideration outside the normal academic rule. Travel-document, character and normal immigration checks still apply. |
Companies can submit visa applications while seeking a quota; final approval still needs the quota and other criteria. Afghan, Cuban and North Korean nationals are excluded. TechTAS-NIAS has a separate arrangement.
Explain the actual R&D work
Describe the R&D objectives, technical problems, applicant’s duties, methods and outputs, consistent with their experience. Separate R&D from sales, routine IT maintenance and administration.
Application documents: company and applicant responsibilities
| Prepared by | Checklist |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Photo, travel document and HKID if held; degree and relevant experience/research or exceptional skills evidence; Mainland consent or other applicable residence documents. |
| Company | ITC quota allotment letter (supply when requested if applications run concurrently); contract/offer showing role, pay, benefits and term; business registration unless an official exemption applies. |
| Both parties | Reconcile R&D duties, specialism, experience, pay and start date with quota conditions. Prepare dependants’ identity and relationship records separately. |
Assign responsibility for the quota, visa and supplementary documents. A submitted quota application is not an approved quota.
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.