In 2025, the first batch of applicants approved to come to Hong Kong under the “Top Talent Pass Scheme” (TTPS) will continue to be admitted.Facing the expiration of their first two-year visa.At this point, how to successfully pass the renewal has become a key link for high talent holders to continue their status and plan for their future development.

Based on the latest standards announced by the Hong Kong Immigration Department in June 2025, this article compiles the practical points of the extension of high-caliber talents to assist applicants and relevant practitioners to prepare the renewal documents in a more targeted manner and reduce the risks.

01 Policy Background: The Highly Selective Placement Scheme (HSPS) has entered into a substantial review period for renewal of visas.

“Since its launch in 2023, the Scheme has attracted a large number of high-end talents from the Mainland and overseas to Hong Kong. However, the first round of approvals was only for two-year temporary visas, which did not constitute automatic conversion to permanent resident status.Under the latest guidelines, for the first time, a multi-dimensional substantive assessment will be conducted at the time of renewal to ascertain whether the applicant is truly qualified as a “top-tier talent”.”Positioning for long-term development in Hong Kong.

It is worth noting that those who fail to renew their visas will not be able to re-apply for the Senior Citizen Visa and their Hong Kong status will be terminated thereafter.

02 Renewal of core review criteria

The current vetting criteria of the Hong Kong Immigration Department for visa renewal focuses on the following four dimensions:

1. Length of residence in Hong Kong

• Requirement: Applicants must not have been absent from Hong Kong for more than 180 days in the preceding two years;
• Note: If the period of residence in Hong Kong is insufficient, full justifications and supporting documents must be provided, or else the applicant will be deemed not to have met the basic condition of “continuous development in Hong Kong”.

2. Local income and employment records

• Requirements: A clear record of local employment or entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and payment of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) is required;
• Note: Relying solely on income from the Mainland, having no employer's tax record or shell self-employed status usually fails to pass the vetting process.

3. Economic contribution to Hong Kong

• Requirements: Applications in the entrepreneurial category are required to provide operating documents such as invoices, contracts, tax returns, etc;
• Note: A company that has no actual business, no employees or is “registered in name only” is not considered to be making a substantial contribution.

4. Future development plans

• Requirements: Submission of planning materials for sustainable development (e.g. employment contract in Hong Kong, business start-up plan, business expansion plan, etc.);
• Note: The Immigration Department will assess whether an applicant has the intention and ability to stay in Hong Kong for a long period of time on the basis of his/her development prospects.

03 Special Considerations for Self-Employed and Employed Persons

1. Self-employed applicants

• Must be able to demonstrate that their company has real business activities, including but not limited to: stable customers, a local business address in Hong Kong, and a continuous source of income;
• If the company has just been established and is in a loss-making position, it is necessary to provide additional information on future business growth plans and capital liquidity arrangements.

2. Applicants in the employed category

• Must confirm that the salary level of the position held is in line with the Hong Kong market standard;
• For special types of work, such as posting to the Mainland, an expatriate agreement, working hour arrangement and a description of the relevant work effectiveness are required.

04 Common Misconceptions and Risk Warning

1. Switching to the Merit Scheme in lieu of visa renewal:Not feasible. Once a Highly Talented Visa is broken, it cannot be reapplied for.

2. The spouse is a dependant but is employed:does not constitute a basis for renewal by the principal applicant.

3. Relying on Mainland income to apply for the “Top Talent Pathway”:Only income subject to salaries tax is recognized in Hong Kong; profits tax and mainland wages are excluded.

05 Viable Low Frequency In-Hong Kong Models: Three Types of Strategies Suggested

For highly talented individuals who are unable to be permanently based in Hong Kong for business or family reasons, the following three modes of operation can be considered, provided that they are structured to have local income and tax compliance capability:

If you would like a one-on-one assessment of your situation, or are seeking guidance on designing a pathway to self-employment, or preparing materials, CDP can provide professional compliance support to assist in structuring a robust and viable status renewal program.