What is IANG?
IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, 非本地毕业生留港／回港就业安排) lets non-local students who completed a full-time, locally accredited HK degree at bachelor's level or above stay in or return to Hong Kong to work, with no employer sponsorship needed.
A successful applicant receives 24 months of unconditional stay — meaning they can work for any employer, change jobs freely, or start a business.
Two sub-categories
- IANG-Stay — apply within 6 months of graduation while still in Hong Kong on a student visa.
- IANG-Return — apply later, from anywhere in the world, after returning home. There is no deadline for IANG-Return.
The Greater Bay Area (GBA) pilot
Since 2023, IANG has been extended to graduates of HK-funded universities operating in the Greater Bay Area (e.g. CUHK-Shenzhen, HKUST-Guangzhou). The pilot mirrors the standard IANG conditions.
Renewals and PR
After the initial 2-year visa, renewals are "3 + 3" years conditional on having taken up residence. After 7 continuous years, IANG holders can apply for the Right of Abode.
Why IANG is so popular
- No job offer required — biggest practical advantage over GEP/ASMTP.
- Generous 24-month initial stay — enough time to find a quality role.
- No quota — every qualifying graduate can apply.
- Family included — spouses and children can come as dependants.