ID(E) 1018 — Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (優才計劃-第二代)

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ID(E) 1018 — Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (優才計劃-第二代)

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 weeks

Estimated Cost

HK$600 HKD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Enables overseas-born adult children aged 18–40 of Hong Kong permanent residents to settle with unrestricted work authorization and no job offer requirement.

The Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG) allows overseas-born adults aged 18–40 to return without a prior job offer. Applicants need one parent holding a valid HK Permanent Identity Card (who was a Chinese national settled overseas at applicant's birth), a bachelor's degree, and proof of financial self-sufficiency.

Initial stay is 24 months, renewable in 3-year increments (2+3+3 pattern); top-tier earners (HKD 2M+ annual income) may receive 6-year extensions. Application fee: HKD 600. Unrestricted work authorization permits employment changes and business establishment without prior approval. Spouses may work. Processing: 2–3 weeks. After 7 years' continuous residence, qualifying for right of abode.

This visa is ideal for overseas-born young professionals reconnecting with Hong Kong heritage while launching careers without needing a pre-arranged job offer.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Right of Abode / Permanent Residence (居留權/永久性居民)

Hong Kong

Right of Abode / Permanent Residence (居留權/永久性居民)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Aged 18 to 40 at the time of application.

Born overseas (outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan).

At least one parent must be a holder of a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and was a Chinese national who had settled overseas at the time of the applicant's birth.

Possess a good education background, normally a first degree.

Proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

Sufficient financial means to support self and dependants without recourse to public funds.

No adverse immigration or criminal record.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Online application submitted via the ASSG application portal (no separate PDF form required).

Recent photograph.

Valid travel document.

Birth certificate or other evidence of relationship with Hong Kong permanent resident parent.

Valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card of the parent.

Proof of academic qualifications and work experience.

Proof of financial standing (bank statements, tax receipts, etc.).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Unrestricted work authorization—change jobs, start businesses, or work freelance without employer approval
No job offer required before entry—apply and begin work or entrepreneurship independently
Initial 24-month stay renewable for 3-year periods; flexible extensions available
Direct pathway to permanent residency after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence
Spouse and dependent family members can accompany and work without restriction
No minimum income threshold for initial stay—only require proof of financial self-sufficiency

Worth Knowing

Strictly limited to applicants aged 18-40; no exceptions for individuals older than upper age bound
Parent must have settled overseas at birth; historical criterion difficult to retroactively prove
Bachelor's degree required; applicants without formal university qualification non-qualifying
Extensions require employment at degree-holder level with market-rate pay or established business proof
Approval is discretionary and subject to evolving government policy

Application Process

Confirm qualification: Aged 18-40, born overseas, at least one parent holding a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card who was a Chinese national settled overseas at time of applicant's birth.

Prepare documents: Gather valid travel document, recent photograph, birth certificate (proof of parental relationship), parent's HK Permanent Identity Card, proof of academic qualifications and work experience, and proof of financial standing.

Submit online application: Apply via the ASSG online portal at gov.hk. No job offer is required at this stage. Pay the HKD 600 non-refundable application fee.

Await processing: Normally takes about 2-3 weeks upon receipt of all required documents and the application fee.

Receive entry permit: Upon approval an entry permit is issued (e-Visa). The initial stay is 24 months on time limitation only.

Extend stay: Before expiry apply for extension. Must demonstrate employment at degree-holder level at market-rate remuneration (or proof of established business). Extension periods are normally up to 3 years each (2+3+3 pattern).

Pathway to permanent residency: After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, qualifying to apply for right of abode.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

ASSG Guidebook (ID(E) 1018)Optional

Fill online

Verified Claims (11)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Application Steps

Confirm eligibility: Aged 18-40, born overseas, at least one parent holding a valid Hong Kong Perman…

immd.gov.hk

Forms

ASSG Guidebook (ID(E) 1018)

immd.gov.hk

Included Nationalities

null

immd.gov.hk

Application Portal

https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/nonpermanent/secondgenerationhkpr/index.htm

immd.gov.hk

Max Stay

Initial stay of 24 months; standard extensions of 3 years each (2+3+3 pattern); top-tier earners (HK…

immd.gov.hk

Max Stay Estimate

type: months, initialDays: 730, notes: Initial 24 months (730 days); renewable for successive 3-year…

immd.gov.hk

Official Code

ID(E) 1018

immd.gov.hk

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":14,"maxDays":21}

immd.gov.hk

Apply Now Official Information

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Overview

Enables overseas-born adult children aged 18–40 of Hong Kong permanent residents to settle with unrestricted work authorization and no job offer requirement.

This visa is ideal for overseas-born young professionals reconnecting with Hong Kong heritage while launching careers without needing a pre-arranged job offer.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Aged 18 to 40 at the time of application.

Born overseas (outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan).

At least one parent must be a holder of a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and was a Chinese national who had settled overseas at the time of the applicant's birth.

Possess a good education background, normally a first degree.

Proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

Sufficient financial means to support self and dependants without recourse to public funds.

No adverse immigration or criminal record.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Online application submitted via the ASSG application portal (no separate PDF form required).

Recent photograph.

Valid travel document.

Birth certificate or other evidence of relationship with Hong Kong permanent resident parent.

Valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card of the parent.

Proof of academic qualifications and work experience.

Proof of financial standing (bank statements, tax receipts, etc.).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Unrestricted work authorization—change jobs, start businesses, or work freelance without employer approval
No job offer required before entry—apply and begin work or entrepreneurship independently
Initial 24-month stay renewable for 3-year periods; flexible extensions available
Direct pathway to permanent residency after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence
Spouse and dependent family members can accompany and work without restriction
No minimum income threshold for initial stay—only require proof of financial self-sufficiency

Worth Knowing

Strictly limited to applicants aged 18-40; no exceptions for individuals older than upper age bound
Parent must have settled overseas at birth; historical criterion difficult to retroactively prove
Bachelor's degree required; applicants without formal university qualification non-qualifying
Extensions require employment at degree-holder level with market-rate pay or established business proof
Approval is discretionary and subject to evolving government policy

Application Process

Confirm qualification: Aged 18-40, born overseas, at least one parent holding a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card who was a Chinese national settled overseas at time of applicant's birth.

Prepare documents: Gather valid travel document, recent photograph, birth certificate (proof of parental relationship), parent's HK Permanent Identity Card, proof of academic qualifications and work experience, and proof of financial standing.

Submit online application: Apply via the ASSG online portal at gov.hk. No job offer is required at this stage. Pay the HKD 600 non-refundable application fee.

Await processing: Normally takes about 2-3 weeks upon receipt of all required documents and the application fee.

Receive entry permit: Upon approval an entry permit is issued (e-Visa). The initial stay is 24 months on time limitation only.

Extend stay: Before expiry apply for extension. Must demonstrate employment at degree-holder level at market-rate remuneration (or proof of established business). Extension periods are normally up to 3 years each (2+3+3 pattern).