On December 28, 2025, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region updated the comprehensive list of eligible universities for the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), which will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
The core changes in this update are mainly reflected in
the following aspects:
• Slight adjustment to the total number of eligible institutions: increased from 199 to 200
• Added 5 overseas institutions: University of Adelaide (Australia), University of Vienna (Austria), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), Polytechnic University of Milan (Italy), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia)
• 4 institutions removed from eligibility: École Polytechnique (France), University of Grenoble Alpes (France), Université Sorbonne Paris Cité (France), University of Freiburg (Germany)
• The list of 23 universities in Mainland China remains unchanged: Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Science and Technology of China, Sun Yat-sen University, Nanjing University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Central South University, Sichuan University, Beihang University, Southeast University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Tianjin University, and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The criteria for identifying the world's top 100 universities are based on those that have appeared on four designated world university rankings within the past five years: Times Higher Education World University Rankings; QS World University Rankings; U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings; and Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In this update, the list of eligible universities in Mainland China remains completely unchanged, holding steady at 23.
As is well known, the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme aims to attract high-income individuals and graduates from the world's top 100 universities from around the globe to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. These high-end talents do not need to have secured a job in the Hong Kong SAR at the time of application. Provided they meet general immigration requirements, they may be granted permission to stay in Hong Kong for 24 or 36 months without being subject to other conditions of stay.
Applicants may choose one of the following categories to apply for the Top Talent Pass Scheme:
1. Individuals with an annual income of HKD 2.5 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency) in the year immediately preceding the application (Category A application).
2. Individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree by a world top 100 university and have accumulated at least three years of work experience within the five years immediately preceding the application (Category B application).
3. Individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree by a world top 100 university within the five years immediately preceding the application, but have less than three years of work experience (Category C application); this type of application is subject to an annual quota and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Furthermore, Category C applications are not applicable to non-local students who have obtained a bachelor's degree by studying full-time locally accredited programs in the Hong Kong SAR.
If you are interested in obtaining Hong Kong residency and have graduated from a world top 100 university, you may wish to seize the current policy window to plan and apply as early as possible.
In addition, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) of Hong Kong is also a popular method, with no scoring requirements, no quota restrictions, no academic qualifications required, and no residency requirements. Once approved, you can freely work and start businesses in Hong Kong. One person's approval benefits the whole family. With an investment starting from HKD 30 million, the whole family can quickly obtain Hong Kong residency.
Immigration is a long and complex process, and choosing a formal, professional, and reputable immigration agency with strong brand strength is crucial! Only a capable immigration company can truly help immigration applicants successfully complete their immigration journey. Worldway Group, one of the top 500 Asian brands, has been focusing on immigration for over 20 years. As one of the first companies to launch Hong Kong immigration services, it has professional companies in Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China, with numerous successful cases and extensive experience.
A large number of Worldway Group's Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme clients have been approved
A large number of applications from Worldway Group's Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme clients have been successfully approved
For processing Hong Kong residency, Worldway Group is worth your choice. For detailed inquiries, please contact Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852) 2802 8798