Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 14 entries shown

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Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 1 Jan 2026
In force Visa & immigration

TTPS eligible-university list expanded to 200 institutions

The aggregate list of eligible universities under TTPS was expanded from 186 to 200 institutions effective 1 January 2026 — adding institutions ranked top-100 in any of four major rankings (Times Higher Education, QS, US News, Shanghai Jiao Tong) plus specialist top-five lists for hospitality and arts/design. The 2024 expansion (from 176 to 198) and 2025 expansion (to 200) reflect a steady widening of the talent-attraction net.

Who it affects: TTPS Categories B and C applicants from January 2026.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Nov 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Visa renewal application window extended from 4 weeks to 3 months

Effective November 2024, all visa-holders may submit renewal applications up to 3 months before visa expiry (previously 4 weeks). Reduces the practical risk of overstay due to processing delays — a frequent applicant concern through 2023.

Who it affects: All visa-holders approaching renewal — TTPS, GEP, ASMTP, QMAS.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Nov 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Mainland Talents Scheme (ASMTP) extended to certain Mainland degree holders

ASMTP eligibility was broadened from November 2024 to include certain Mainland degree-holders previously excluded due to qualification-recognition complexity. Specifically targets Mainland tech and engineering graduates servicing Hong Kong's I&T industry expansion strategy.

Who it affects: Mainland-Chinese graduates of Mainland universities seeking Hong Kong employment.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Nov 2024
In force Visa & immigration

QMAS Achievement-based Points Test broadened

The Achievement-based Points Test under QMAS was broadened in November 2024 to recognise additional categories of peer-recognised exceptional achievement (specific arts and sports awards, certain industry recognitions). Designed to attract globally-mobile talent who do not fit the traditional General Points Test framework.

Who it affects: Globally-recognised exceptional-achievement applicants under QMAS.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 28 Oct 2024
In force Visa & immigration

TTPS Category B mandatory third-party verification

From 28 October 2024, all TTPS Category B applications must include third-party verification of qualifications and employment history (typically via WES, ECCTIS, or comparable accredited credential-verification services). Designed to address concerns about document fraud that emerged in the 2023–2024 high-volume application phase.

Who it affects: TTPS Category B applicants from October 2024.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 28 Oct 2024
In force Visa & immigration

TTPS Category A initial visa extended from 2 to 3 years

Effective 28 October 2024, the initial visa validity for TTPS Category A was extended from 2 years to 3 years, recognising that high-income relocators typically need longer to consolidate Hong Kong employment or self-employment income. Categories B and C remain at 2 years initially.

Who it affects: High-income TTPS Category A applicants and renewers.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 16 Oct 2024
In force Visa & immigration

2024 Policy Address: further talent-scheme refinements announced

The Chief Executive's October 2024 Policy Address announced further talent-scheme refinements: ongoing expansion of the eligible university list, further QMAS achievement-points criteria, exploration of a "high-value technology" subset of TTPS, and continued integration of the I&T-sector pathways with the Greater Bay Area initiatives. Several measures implemented late 2024 and 2025.

Who it affects: Future TTPS / GEP / QMAS applicants — signals continuing widening of admission policy.

Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Apr 2024
In force Taxation

Two-tier salaries-tax structure on top of standard rate from 2024–25

Budget 2024–25 introduced a two-tier standard-rate structure for salaries tax on net income above HKD 5 million: 15% on the first HKD 5 million, 16% above. The progressive-rates option remains for lower incomes. The change marginally raises tax for top earners (top effective rate ~16% rather than the old flat 15%) while maintaining Hong Kong's globally-low personal-tax position.

Who it affects: High-income Hong Kong tax residents.

Inland Revenue Department ↗ · Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 23 Mar 2024
In force Other

Article 23 National Security Ordinance enacted (Safeguarding National Security Ordinance)

The Hong Kong SAR's own Article 23 national-security legislation (Safeguarding National Security Ordinance) was enacted on 23 March 2024, supplementing the 2020 National Security Law imposed by Beijing. Important context for movers — the law substantially expands sedition, treason, and state-secrets offences with extra-territorial reach. Practical impact for ordinary skilled workers is generally limited but worth understanding before relocation.

Who it affects: Broad context for any non-resident considering long-term Hong Kong residency.

Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · Government Information Services (HK SAR) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Mar 2024
In force Residency

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) launched

A revamped Capital Investment Entrant Scheme launched on 1 March 2024 — distinct from the original CIES which was suspended in 2015. Minimum investment HKD 30 million (~US$3.8M) into a portfolio of permissible investments (Hong Kong-listed equities and debt, qualifying CIES-eligible investment funds, plus a HKD 3 million contribution to the CIES Investment Portfolio). Initial 2-year residence; renewable; path to Permanent Residence after 7 years.

Who it affects: High-net-worth investors considering Hong Kong residency.

Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

Continued absence of capital-gains, dividend, and inheritance taxes

Hong Kong continues to operate without capital-gains tax, dividend tax, or inheritance tax — a structural advantage for high-net-worth movers and one of the most-cited reasons for Hong Kong remaining attractive despite political and cost-of-living pressures since 2019. Property stamp duties are the primary indirect tax on wealth transfer.

Who it affects: High-net-worth movers; broader investor signalling.

Inland Revenue Department ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Residency

Permanent Residence remains 7 years of continuous ordinary residence

No changes were made to the foundational 7-year continuous-ordinary-residence requirement for Permanent Residence (Right of Abode), despite various policy proposals through 2024. The "ordinary residence" test (continuous physical presence with limited gaps for travel) continues to be applied with discretionary case-by-case assessment by the Immigration Department.

Who it affects: All non-permanent-resident visa-holders working toward PR.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) annual quota abolished

The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address abolished the annual quota for the QMAS — historically capped at 4,000 applications per year — effective 1 January 2023. Applications are now considered on a rolling basis without an upper limit, materially reducing the structural bottleneck of the points-based scheme.

Who it affects: QMAS applicants from January 2023 onwards.

Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 28 Dec 2022
In force Visa & immigration

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) launched

TTPS launched 28 December 2022 as the headline talent-attraction instrument under the John Lee administration's policy package. Three categories: A (high earners ≥ HKD 2.5M annual income), B (top-university graduates with 3+ years work experience), C (recent top-university graduates within the past 5 years, with annual quota). 100,000+ approvals issued through end-2024.

Who it affects: High earners and graduates of designated universities considering Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Immigration Department ↗ · Government of the Hong Kong SAR ↗ · verified 2026-04-19