What is the IANG visa, and how does the 24-month post-graduation visa work for non-local Hong Kong graduates?

Direct answer

IANG (Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates) is a Hong Kong immigration scheme that lets non-local graduates of HKSAR full-time degree programmes stay in Hong Kong for 24 months after graduation without first needing a job offer. Apply through the Immigration Department within six months of graduation. The visa carries open work authorisation — you can start a job, freelance, set up a company, intern, or continue studying. Approval rates are very high (above 95% for first-time IANG applications from non-local graduates of UGC universities, based on the Immigration Department’s annual statistics for the 2024–2025 reporting year).

After the initial 24-month period, you can extend IANG (typically 3 years at a time) provided you have a relevant job. Seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong qualifies you to apply for the Right of Abode (permanent residency) under the Immigration Ordinance.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for IANG if you have completed, in Hong Kong, a full-time programme of:

a sub-degree (associate degree or higher diploma — admitted from 2008 onwards),
a bachelor’s degree,
a taught master’s,
a research master’s, or
a doctoral degree.

Programmes must be at level 4 or above on the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and accredited by HKCAAVQ or one of the eight UGC-funded universities.

Distance-learning, part-time, executive-MBA-only, and offshore campus programmes generally do not qualify. Confirm the status of your programme directly with your university’s Student Affairs Office before relying on IANG.

Timeline from graduation to IANG approval

1、结果发布 · 第0天 · 大学发布最终成绩单或课程完成信。 2、申请 · 结果发布后6个月内 · 通过入境事务处电子平台（表格ID 990A）在线提交IANG申请。所需材料：护照复印件、完成证明、支持性文件。费用：2026年为港币230元 + 港币135元签证标签 = 港币365元。 3、处理 · 通常4至6周 · 入境事务处处理申请。大多数申请无需面试即可通过。 4、签证标签 · 获批后约6周内 · 亲自领取签证标签；激活24个月的IANG。 5、香港身份证续期 · 签证签发后30天内 · 如果您现有的学生签证香港身份证即将到期，请续期。

If you graduated more than six months ago, you can still apply under the “Return for Employment” route, but the criteria differ — see Returning for IANG after a gap.

What you can do during IANG

The first 24-month IANG carries open work authorisation:

Find a full-time job in any sector or salary band. Employers do not need to sponsor a separate work visa.
Start a company. Many IANG holders register a Hong Kong limited company and operate as a director.
Freelance or contract. Both B2B contracting and consumer freelancing are allowed.
Intern. Internships count toward the 7-year residency calculation.
Continue studying. A second taught postgraduate programme is allowed; the IANG continues to run in parallel.
Travel in and out of Hong Kong freely. Multiple-entry visa.

You cannot vote in HK elections during IANG (right of abode is required), and you cannot bring dependants on your IANG alone — dependants need their own dependent visa, which itself requires you to first secure full-time employment in HK at a salary above the published minimum (typically the 50th percentile salary for the relevant occupation).

IANG vs. other Hong Kong work visas

1、初始期限 · IANG：24个月 · 一般就业政策（GEP）：24个月（可续期） · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：24个月 2、是否需要预先获得雇主聘用 · IANG：否 · 一般就业政策（GEP）：是 · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：否 3、薪资下限 · IANG：无（首24个月） · 一般就业政策（GEP）：高于香港该职业的市场平均水平 · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：多种层级（QS百强大学学位 / 过去一年收入≥港币250万元） 4、开放式工作授权 · IANG：是 · 一般就业政策（GEP）：限于担保雇主 · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：是 5、通往永久居留权的途径 · IANG：是（7年通常居住） · 一般就业政策（GEP）：是 · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：是 6、最适合人群 · IANG：香港应届毕业生 · 一般就业政策（GEP）：已获香港聘用邀约的中层职业人士 · 高端人才通行证计划（TTPS）：全球顶尖人才/高收入人士

For HK graduates, IANG is almost always the right starting point — it costs less than HK$400, has the highest approval rate, and gives you full flexibility for the first two years.

Failure scenarios and what to do

Six-month window missed. Apply under “Return for Employment” route; this requires a confirmed HK job offer at or above the average HK salary for the occupation. Approval is harder.
Programme is part-time / distance. IANG is not available. Consider TTPS (if you meet the criteria) or a regular work visa.
Application rejected. Common causes: incomplete documentation, programme not on the accredited list, criminal-record disclosure issue. You can re-apply once issues are addressed; serious cases may need a HK immigration lawyer.

Sources

Immigration Department of HKSAR — IANG: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html
Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Right of Abode: https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115
HKCAAVQ accreditation register: https://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk