Based on 15 years of practical experience in cross-border identity planning at the PARICH GROUP , this article breaks down the actual cost structure of Hong Kong identity processing. All official fees are based on the latest fee schedule implemented by the Hong Kong Immigration Department from February 26, 2025.
To state the conclusion first: The cost of obtaining Hong Kong residency can range from less than 10,000 RMB to over 30 million HKD , depending entirely on which path you choose.
Many people ask "How much does it cost to get Hong Kong residency?" just like asking "How much does it cost to buy a car?"—the price difference between a Wuling Hongguang and a Porsche is hundreds of times. The same applies to Hong Kong residency; the costs vary drastically depending on the pathway.
As a cross-border family service agency deeply rooted in Shenzhen and Hong Kong for 15 years, Pak Yue Group helps hundreds of families plan their Hong Kong residency every year. Today, we'll break down the real costs of each path for you, including official fees, third-party fees, and service fees, so you won't be fooled by intermediaries' "low-price tricks."
First, clarify: what are the components of the cost?
Regardless of which path you take, the cost of obtaining Hong Kong residency generally consists of three parts:
1. Official fees (mandatory, payable to the Hong Kong government)
From February 26, 2025, the Hong Kong Immigration Department will implement a new two-tiered fee structure for designated schemes (including the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Highly Skilled Migrant Visa, Professional Migrant Admission Scheme, and New Capital Investor Scheme).
Application fee : HKD 600 per person (to be paid by the main applicant and each dependent, non-refundable)
Visa issuance fee : HKD 1,300 per person for stays exceeding 180 days after approval.
Therefore, the official cost for one person is approximately HKD 600 + HKD 1,300 = HKD 1,900 (approximately RMB 1,750).
The official cost for a family of three (2 adults and 1 child) is approximately HKD 1,900 × 3 = 5,700 (approximately RMB 5,250).
Note: This is only the official visa application fee. The New Capital Investor Program also has additional net asset verification fees, etc.
2. Third-party fees (mandatory, payable to a third-party organization)
Document notarization, translation, and authentication: Approximately 2,000–10,000 RMB (depending on the amount and complexity of the documents).
Educational qualification verification (required for Elite Talents/High-Level Talents Program): Approximately 300–500 RMB per document
Notarized certificate of no criminal record: approximately 1,000–3,000 RMB per person
Audit report and asset appraisal (required under the New Capital Investor Program): Approximately RMB 50,000–200,000
Medical examination (required for some routes): Approximately 500–2,000 RMB per person
3. Service fee (optional, payable to the service provider)
This is where the cost varies the most, ranging from 20,000 to 300,000.
This includes: scheme evaluation, material preparation, document drafting, application submission, follow-up approval, and renewal guidance.
Why do some people DIY their own projects for only a few thousand yuan, while others spend tens of thousands of yuan to hire an agency? The difference lies in:
DIY: Researching policies, preparing materials, and submitting applications yourself saves money but is time-consuming and can easily lead to rejection due to unprofessional materials.
Find an agency: A professional team will evaluate your plan, polish your documents, and follow up throughout the process, saving you time and increasing your success rate, but you will need to pay a service fee.
The advice from the Pak Yue Group is: if your background is very simple (e.g., a Category A qualifying application, annual salary of over HKD 2.5 million, and clear documentation), you can consider applying DIY; if your background is complex, requires presentation, or you don't want to risk rejection, it is recommended to seek help from a professional agency. After all, it is much more difficult to reapply for Hong Kong residency after a rejection.
II. Cost Breakdown of Six Main Pathways
Route 1: Hong Kong High-Tech Pass Scheme (HQS) – Cheapest and Fastest
Suitable for: High-income individuals (Category A), graduates from the world's top 100 universities (Categories B/C)
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| Official fees | Approximately HK$1,900 per person | Application fee 600 + visa fee 1,300 |
| Third-party fees | Approximately 2,000–5,000 RMB | Academic credential verification, document notarization and translation, etc. |
| Service Fees | Approximately 20,000–50,000 RMB | There are significant differences between different institutions. |
| Total cost per person | Approximately 25,000–55,000 RMB | Excluding service fees, it is less than 10,000. |
| Total cost for a family of three | Approximately 35,000–70,000 RMB | Service fee included |
PARICH GROUP's Commentary: The Talent Pathway is currently the most transparent, fastest, and cheapest pathway to Hong Kong residency. Category A (annual salary of HK$2.5 million or more) requires minimal documentation and can be approved in about four weeks if all materials are complete. If you meet the requirements, this offers the best value.
Beware of scams: Some agencies claim "guaranteed pass" for GaoCaiTong, charging you 100,000 or 80,000 yuan. In reality, GaoCaiTong has strict requirements for review; if you meet the criteria, you pass, and if you don't, you don't. There is no such thing as a "guaranteed pass." Don't waste money on "guaranteed pass" offers.
Pathway 2: Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (Quality Migrant) – The most mainstream and suitable for the widest range of people.
Suitable for: Highly educated, experienced professionals with a proven track record of success in various industries.
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| Official fees | Approximately HK$1,900 per person | Tong Gaocaitong |
| Third-party fees | Approximately 5,000–10,000 RMB | More materials, higher notarized translation fees |
| Service Fees | Approximately 30,000–80,000 RMB | Elite Talent requires scoring and document preparation; the service fee is higher than that of GaoCaiTong. |
| Total cost per person | Approximately 40,000–90,000 RMB | |
| Total cost for a family of three | Approximately 50,000 to 110,000 RMB | Service fee included |
PARICH GROUP's Commentary: The Quality Migrant Visa (QM) is currently the most widely applicable Hong Kong residency pathway, requiring no employer sponsorship, no investment, and no prior employment; approval is based on a comprehensive points-based system. However, precisely because it lacks stringent requirements, the large number of applicants leads to intense competition, and the quality of application materials directly impacts the success rate.
The core of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is "achievement" and "suitability"—you need to fully demonstrate your professional achievements, industry influence, and the contributions you can make to Hong Kong in your application materials. There is a significant difference between professional agencies and individuals who can prepare these application documents themselves.
Beware of pitfalls: Some agencies charge tens of thousands of yuan, only to fill out forms and translate materials for you, without any in-depth document analysis or polishing. PARICH GROUP elite talent application service provides dedicated consultants who thoroughly understand your professional experience and achievements, tailoring an application plan to your individual needs. Your documents undergo multiple rounds of refinement – this is the true value of our service fee.
Pathway 3: Hong Kong Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (Specialist) – Employer sponsorship required
Suitable for: Professionals who already have job offers from Hong Kong employers
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| Official fees | Approximately HK$1,900 per person | Tong Gaocaitong |
| Third-party fees | Approximately 3,000–8,000 RMB | |
| Service Fees | Approximately 30,000–80,000 RMB | This includes employer qualification verification, job matching, and application materials. |
| Total cost per person | Approximately 40,000–90,000 RMB |
PARICH GROUP's Commentary: The core of the Specialist Program is "having a Hong Kong employer willing to hire you ," and the position requires "talent that is lacking in Hong Kong." If you already have an offer from a Hong Kong company, the approval process for the Specialist Program is relatively fast and stable.
However, many people don't have a Hong Kong employer. In such cases, some agencies will "help you find a Hong Kong company to register with," charging you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's crucial to note that false employment is illegal, and the Hong Kong Immigration Department will strictly investigate. If discovered, not only will your application be rejected, but it may also affect all future Hong Kong visa applications. PARICH GROUP absolutely does not engage in false employment services.
Pathway 4: Hong Kong New Capital Investor Entrance Scheme (New CIES) – Most expensive, but most hassle-free
Suitable for: High-net-worth individuals with over HKD 30 million in investable assets.
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| Investment threshold | Starting from HK$30 million | $27 million in financial assets/real estate + $3 million in CIES investment portfolio |
| Official fees | Starting from approximately HK$15,000 | Net asset review fee, application fee, visa fee, etc. |
| Third-party fees | Approximately 100,000 to 300,000 RMB | Lawyers, auditors, asset appraisers, proof of funds, etc. |
| Service Fees | Approximately 100,000 to 300,000 RMB | Solution design, portfolio management, and full application follow-up. |
| Total cost | Above HK$30 million | Investment funds are your assets, not something you've spent. |
Commentary by PARICH GROUP: The New Capital Investor Scheme is scheduled to be relaunched in 2024. The core requirement is to invest no less than HK$30 million in permitted investment assets . Of this, at least HK$27 million must be invested in eligible financial assets (stocks, bonds, funds, etc.) or non-residential real estate (up to a maximum of HK$10 million), and the remaining HK$3 million must be invested in a dedicated CIES investment portfolio.
Note: This HKD 30 million is not "spent ," but rather your investment, still under your name, and the investment returns generated belong to you. It's equivalent to "putting money in Hong Kong and getting a Hong Kong identity."
The advantages of this route are: no points-based system required, no employer needed, fast approval, and no residency requirement (usually a few visits to Hong Kong per year are sufficient). For high-net-worth individuals, this is the most hassle-free route.
Beware of pitfalls: Some agents will describe the 30 million investment as "fees," scaring you by saying "it costs 30 million to get Hong Kong residency." In reality, the investment is your money; it's simply being invested in Hong Kong, not being given to the government or an agent. The actual service fees and third-party charges will likely amount to several hundred thousand RMB.
Pathway 5: Hong Kong Study and Immigration (Master's Degree + IANG to Stay in Hong Kong) – Suitable for young people
Suitable for: Individuals under 30 years old, with a bachelor's degree or above, and who have the time and energy to study in Hong Kong.
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| tuition fee | Approximately HKD 100,000–300,000 per year | Master's programs in Hong Kong typically last 1-2 years, with significant variations depending on the program. |
| living expenses | Approximately HKD 100,000–150,000 per year | Accommodation, meals, transportation, etc. |
| Official fees | Approximately HK$1,900 per person | Student visa + subsequent IANG visa |
| Service Fees | Approximately 30,000–80,000 RMB | School application, visa processing, and subsequent IANG visa renewal, etc. |
| Total cost | Approximately HK$250,000–600,000 | Total cost of studying for a master's degree for one year |
PARICH GROUP's Commentary: The logic behind pursuing further education for immigration is: study a full-time master's degree in Hong Kong → apply for an IANG visa to work in Hong Kong after graduation → apply for permanent residency after working for 7 years . The advantage of this path is its low threshold (as long as you can get into a Hong Kong university) and the ability to obtain a degree from a prestigious Hong Kong university at the same time.
However, the disadvantages are also obvious: it requires actually studying in Hong Kong, taking 1-2 years, and after graduation, you need to find a job in Hong Kong and work there continuously for 7 years to obtain permanent residency. For people who have been working for many years and have families, this path is not very realistic; for young people who have just graduated and want to improve their education and obtain Hong Kong residency, it is a good option.
Path 6: Dependent Visa – Family Members of the Principal Applicant
Suitable for: Spouses and children of people who already have Hong Kong residency
Cost breakdown:
| Fee Items | Amount | illustrate |
| Official fees | Approximately HK$1,900 per person | Same as the main applicant |
| Third-party fees | Approximately 1,000–3,000 RMB per person | Notarization of relationship certificates, etc. |
| Service Fees | Approximately 5,000–15,000 RMB per person | Typically, dependents can apply together with the main applicant, and there are discounts on service fees. |
Commentary by PARICH GROUP : As long as the main applicant obtains Hong Kong residency through pathways such as the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Talent Admission Scheme, the Professional Migrant Admission Scheme, or the new CIES program, their spouse and unmarried children under 18 can apply for dependent visas to accompany them to Hong Kong. Dependents can work and study in Hong Kong and enjoy its medical and educational benefits.
It is recommended that the main applicant apply for the spouse and children as dependents at the same time. This is more convenient and cheaper than applying for dependents separately after the main applicant has been approved.
III. How to choose based on different budgets? A table explains it all.
| Budget range | Recommended path | Suitable for | Total cost |
| Within 10,000 | GaoCaiTong DIY | Annual salary of 2.5 million+ or graduation from a top 100 university, clear application materials, and time for self-study. | Official fee + material fee ≈ 10,000 |
| 30,000–60,000 | GaoCaiTong (Find an agency) | Eligible for Gaocaitong but don't want to go through the hassle of setting it up yourself | Approximately 30,000–60,000 |
| 50,000–100,000 | Talent Search (Find an agency) | Highly educated and experienced individuals require professional document packaging. | Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 |
| 100,000–200,000 | Specialist (Real Employer) | Having an offer from a Hong Kong employer, or being able to find a genuine job in Hong Kong. | Service fees of approximately 50,000 to 100,000 |
| 300,000 - 600,000 | Study for immigration | Under 30 years old, willing to study in Hong Kong for 1-2 years | Tuition + living expenses + service fees |
| HK$30 million+ | New Capital Investor Entry Scheme | High-net-worth individuals with 30 million in investable assets | Investment amount (still your money) + approximately 300,000–600,000 service fees |
IV. The honest advice from PARICH GROUP: Avoid these pitfalls!
Pitfall 1: "Get Hong Kong residency for tens of thousands of dollars"
The truth: There is no such thing as a "guaranteed pass" for Hong Kong residency. The Quality Migrant Category (QM) is based on a points system, the Advanced Talent Admission Scheme (ATS) is a hard requirement, the Professional Talent Admission Scheme (ATS) requires a real employer, and the new CIES requires substantial financial investment. Any agency claiming a "guaranteed pass" is either scamming people or using falsified documents (extremely risky).
Pitfall 2: "Initially accept a low price, then continuously increase the price later."
The truth: Some agencies initially quote 20,000, but after signing the contract, they tell you "your background needs extra packaging," "you need to find a Hong Kong lawyer for endorsement," and "you need third-party certification ," adding money for each item one by one, ultimately costing you over 100,000. PARICH GROUP's quote is a fixed price that includes all services. All fees are clearly stated before signing the contract, with absolutely no hidden costs.
Pitfall 3: "Using a Hong Kong company to register specialists"
The truth: As mentioned earlier, false employment is illegal. The Hong Kong Immigration Department is now very strict in its checks, calling the company to verify and requesting pay stubs and Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) records. Once discovered, not only will you lose your status, but you may also be blacklisted and unable to apply for a Hong Kong visa again.
Pitfall 4: "Obtaining Hong Kong residency requires giving up mainland household registration"
The truth is: Absolutely not. You can have both Hong Kong residency and mainland household registration simultaneously; they do not conflict. After obtaining Hong Kong permanent resident status, whether to apply for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or cancel your mainland household registration is entirely your own choice. The vast majority of people retain both.
Pitfall 5: "7-year permanent residency is very difficult to obtain; many people cannot get it."
The truth is: the requirement for Hong Kong permanent residency is "ordinarily residing in Hong Kong for 7 years." Note that it is "ordinarily residing," not "must live in Hong Kong every day." As long as you maintain sufficient ties with Hong Kong (have a job or residence in Hong Kong, children attending school in Hong Kong, frequent visits to Hong Kong, etc.), your permanent residency application after 7 years is almost guaranteed to be approved. Among the clients served by the PARICH GROUP, the success rate of applying for permanent residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme/Advanced Migrant Admission Scheme exceeds 95%.
V. In Conclusion
The value of Hong Kong residency lies not in "how much money you spent to get it," but in what it brings to you and your family—educational options for your children, global asset allocation, convenient travel, medical security, and more career possibilities.
For eligible individuals, obtaining Hong Kong residency is a matter of "the sooner the better"—policies may change, thresholds may rise, and approval processes may tighten. The reintroduction of the New Capital Investor Entrant Scheme in 2024 and the increase in application fees for various schemes in 2025 both indicate that the "threshold" for Hong Kong residency is gradually increasing.
As a Hong Kong-funded direct-operated institution deeply rooted in Shenzhen and Hong Kong for 15 years, PARICH GROUP possesses licensed financial qualifications from its Hong Kong headquarters and a localized service team in Shenzhen, having served over 2,000 high-net-worth families. We don't do "one-off deals," but rather provide full-cycle family services, from immigration planning and asset allocation to children's education and healthcare/retirement.
If you are considering applying for Hong Kong residency, you are welcome to have a free background assessment done by PARICH GROUP. We will recommend the most suitable path and the most cost-effective plan based on your specific circumstances.
The above fee information is based on the latest policy of the Hong Kong Immigration Department in September 2026. The specific fees are subject to the official announcement at the time of application.