Bringing in Non-local Technology Talents for R&D Work in Hong Kong under the Fast-track Arrangement of Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
TechTAS is a scheme to help companies bring in non-local technology talents to work on R&D in Hong Kong. Under the Scheme, a company must first apply for a quota with the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). Once a quota is allotted, it may sponsor an eligible person for his/her application for employment.
Effective from 26th February 2025, an application fee of $600 will be charged for various talent. Additionally, visa fees will be adjusted based on the duration of stay, increasing to either $600 or $1,300.
(A) TechTAS QUOTA APPLICATION BY THE HIRING COMPANY
Requirements on TechTAS Quota Applications
The company must be engaged in R&D in designated technology areas. That is : artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial technologies, material science, robotics, 5G communications, digital entertainment, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things or microelectronic. It must hire qualified non-local talents as full-time employees in R&D in these areas. The remuneration must be comparable to the local market level.
Besides, it shall also fulfil the respective local hiring requirement. For every 3 non-local talents hired via TechTAS, it must hire 1 new local full-time employee (with Bachelor’s degree or above) for at least 1 year plus 2 local interns (undergraduate or above) for at least 3 months for technology-related work. Where more than 3 non-local talents in total are employed via TechTAS, the total number of matching new local full-time employees and new local interns to be hired shall be rounded up in the calculation. For example, with 10 non-local talents approved entry under TechTAS, the number of new local employees and local interns required will be 4 (10 / 3 = 3.3) and 7 (10 / 3 x 2 = 6.7) respectively. A company can also hire a new local full-time employee in lieu of a required local intern, but not vice versa.
Qualifications of a Non-local Talent under TechTAS
Under TechTAS, a person being hired must work primarily in R&D in the designated areas. That is : artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial technologies, material science, robotics, 5G communications, digital entertainment, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things or microelectronics. He/She should nd hold a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (“STEM”) from a university ranked as top 100 for STEM-related subjects in the latest publication by one of the three ranking systems. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (also known as Shanghai Ranking) or Times Higher Education.
If academic requirements not met, full justifications with documentary proof on proven skills in specialty area, professional abilities and/or relevant experience must be provided. Consideration will be givn on a case-by-case basis.
Assessment Criteria for a TechTAS Quota Application
The company must be engaged in R&D activities in at least one of the areas as mentioned above. The non-local talents’ knowledge or skills must align with the company’s business. There must also be a demonstrable genuine difficulty in local hiring. The number of quotas requested must be justifiable considering the company’s business volume, location and expansion plans. Also, the academic qualifications, expertise and remuneration associated with the non-local talents being sought must be reasonable.
Submission of a TechTAS Quota Application
For companies who are tenants, incubates, grantees or occupants of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) or the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport), a completed Form TechTAS 01 shall be submitted, together with a copy of Business Registration Certificate, remuneration package reference for the job positions and evidence indicating their business and R&D activities, to HKSTPC or Cyberport. HKSTPC / Cyberport will then process and assess the application and make recommendation to ITC who will decide on the approval / rejection of the application.
Other companies shall complete Form TechTAS 02 , together with a copy of Business Registration Certificate, remuneration package reference for the job positions and evidence indicating their business and R&D activities. They shall submit these directly to ITC.
ITC will issue a quota allotment letter with a validity of 12 months for a successful application. It will indicate the number of quotas granted together with any relevant terms and conditions. This may include job duties, required academic qualifications and remuneration package of the job positions.
Processing Time for a TechTAS Quota
Upon receipt of all necessary information and documents, the processing time for a quota application is normally two weeks. A Form TechTAS 02 application should provide relevant Profits Tax Returns with Supplementary Form on R&D Expenditure. Otherwise, ITC may need to conduct visit to the applicant company causing extra delay.
(B) TechTAS VISA APPLICATION BY NON-LOCAL TALENTS
Approval of a TechTAS quota does not imply automatic approval for bringing non-local talent into Hong Kong. A non-local talent must apply separately with the Immigration Department for an employment visa under TechTAS.
Successful applicants normally have an initial stay of 36 months or a duration per employment contract, whichever is shorter. They may apply to extend their stay within 4 weeks before expiry. With subsequent successful extensions, it will normally be a 3-2 years stay pattern, subject to employment condition or contract duration.
Applicants may opt for assessment under the top-tier employment stream after having been admitted for 2 years. They must also have an assessable income for salaries tax of HK$2 million in the previous tax year. In such case, a successful applicant will normally be granted an extension for a period of 6 years.
Eligibility for Employment Visa Applications under TechTAS
All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. Nonetheless, below are among the favourable criteria considered by the Immigration Department.
- No security objection or known record of serious crime.
- Valid quota already approved by ITC.
- The applicant fulfils the academic and/or skills/experience requirements.
- The applicant matches the detailed description of the job as specified in the related ITC allotment letter.
The arrangement does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.
Family members in an Employment Visa Application under TechTAS
An applicant may apply to bring in his/her spouse or lawful domestic partner (same-sex or opposite-sex) and unmarried dependent children under 18. After they come to Hong Kong, the applicant will be their sponsors. This does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. For former Mainland Chinese residents residing in Macao with Macao identity cards for less than seven years, they must have gone through Macao’s One-way Permit Scheme.
Traveling and Returning to Hong Kong after Admitted with a TechTAS Visa
They must return within permitted period of stay and the TechTAS related circumstances remain unchanged. In such case, they do not need a re-entry visa/permit to re-enter Hong Kong.
Becoming a Permanent Resident in Hong Kong
After having ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously for seven years, they may apply for right of abode.
Required Documents for a TechTAS Visa Application
The Applicant
- Form ID 1024 Part A completed with recent photo affixed
- Photocopy of valid travel document
- Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any)
- Photocopies of proof of academic qualifications, good technical skills in specialty areas, proven professional abilities and relevant experience and achievements
- Photocopy of Macao identification card (for Macao residents only)
- Photocopy of household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identification card (for Taiwan residents only)
- Photocopy of proof of overseas residence endorsed by overseas authorities (for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only)
- Letter of consent from present working unit or relevant authorities (page 9 of form ID 1024) – for Mainland Chinese residents only
The Employing Company
- Form ID 1024 Part C completed
- Photocopy of quota allotment letter issued by ITC
- Photocopy of employment contract or letter of appointment
- Photocopy of the Certificate of Business Registration (not required if a training visa or an employment visa for a non-local staff has been granted in the past 18 months)
Each Accompanying Dependent
- Form ID 1024 Part B completed with recent photo affixed
- Photocopy of valid travel document
- Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any)
- Photocopy of evidence of relationship with the applicant such as marriage certificate, birth certificate
- Photocopy of Macao identification card (for Macao residents only)
- Photocopy of household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identification card (for Taiwan residents only)
Processing Time for an application for TechTAS Visa
Upon submission of the application documents, it normally takes two weeks to hear a response by the Immigration Department. Additional supporting documents may be requested by the Immigration Department. The normal entire processing time may take four to eight weeks by the Immigration Department.
Counting on FastLane HR for Assistance in TechTAS Visa Applications
Applying for a TechTAS visa can be complex and time-consuming if you do not know exactly the documents and justifications you need to provide to meet the approval criteria by the Immigration Department. It is always best to do it right the first time than trial and errors. FastLane HR has a team of experienced professionals familiar with the requirements and processes involved in obtaining a TechTAS visa. We also offer renewals for TechTAS visas. FastLane HR is the perfect partner for people who need TechTAS visa assistance to obtain approval in one go.
Full services offered by FastLane HR to Facilitate TechTAS Visa Applications
- Understand your situation and needs
- Assist and/or advise preparation of required documents
- Review documents provided by the applicant and employer
- Prepare declarations, application forms and letters of authorisation
- Submit application to the Immigration Department
- Follow-up and communicate with the Immigration Department and provide additional supporting documents when required
- Continuous communications with the applicant and/or employer
- Arrange payment and collection of visa label
- Send the visa label to the applicant
Information posted on this website in relation to policies by the Hong Kong Government are based on latest announcements and guidelines as published by relevant government departments at the time of posting. FastLane HR will not be responsible for any loss or damages incurred as a result of any inaccuracy of such information.
Date: January 2023