On August 18, 2026, a report from Sina and Weibo went viral in mainland China’s immigration circles: The first batch of Gaocaitong visas was set to expire en masse, and as of the end of July, only 7,394 people had submitted their renewal applications on time, resulting in an overall renewal rate of approximately 54%. In other words, for every two people who obtained High-Talent Pass status, one failed to meet the deadline for the first renewal “crucial milestone.”

What has drawn even more public attention is the subsequent life paths of those who “failed to renew” their visas: Some have set aside their past glory and are getting by with odd jobs—working in logistics and as tram operators, and even obtaining construction worker registration certificates and safety cards to supplement their household income with daily wages of 1,000 to 1,200 Hong Kong dollars as general laborers on construction sites; Others have shifted into industries such as insurance and securities, leveraging their mainland Chinese connections to rebuild their income; still others have started their own businesses as self-employed individuals to maintain their visas. From “Senior Executives” to “Hong Kong Transients,” this group of middle-aged immigrants to Hong Kong is undergoing a major life transformation.

The renewal rate figures of 54% essentially reflect how Hong Kong’s talent policy has shifted from “attracting talent” to “retaining talent.” For those planning to apply or who already hold Hong Kong residency, the window of opportunity leading up to the 2026 Policy Address is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, and other locations, as well as annual review and audit, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax compliance, information updates, bank account opening, ODI filing, FDI filing, and other corporate services; Hong Kong residency application, renewal, and permanent residency services; Singapore EP application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and agency services. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

I. Behind the 54% Renewal Rate: Four Overlooked “Substantive Connection” Indicators

The reason the first batch of renewal data for the High-Talent Pass has drawn attention is that it publicly reveals, for the first time, the “actual retention rate of talent after their admission.” Even more noteworthy is that the National Immigration Administration has recently clarified that, effective July 1, 2026, when holders of the High-Talent Pass and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme apply for permanent residency, the review will focus on their substantive ties to Hong Kong and their value contributions, rather than relying solely on the number of days spent in Hong Kong as the sole criterion.

Key areas of focus for the review of substantive relationships include:

First, employment-related connections in Hong Kong. Whether the individual has secured employment in Hong Kong, whether the position matches their educational background, and whether the compensation meets market standards (a monthly salary of 20,000 HKD serves as a basic benchmark). Practices such as merely visiting Hong Kong occasionally to “clock in” or being affiliated with an organization for nominal purposes will be subject to strict scrutiny in the future.

Second, connections to entrepreneurship in Hong Kong. To start a self-employed business, you must have a physical office in Hong Kong, genuine business transactions, file tax returns on time, and employ staff. Shell companies will be immediately rejected, and submitting fraudulent documents can result in up to 14 years in prison.

Third, residency in Hong Kong. The Immigration Department will verify the applicant’s actual residential address in Hong Kong, physical office address, Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) records, and tax records. Data from the Inland Revenue Department, the Mandatory Provident Fund Authority, and the Companies Registry has been integrated for cross-checking.

Fourth, the connection between family and daily life. Factors such as whether the dependent is studying in Hong Kong, whether the family’s primary living expenses are incurred in Hong Kong, and the length of stay of family members in Hong Kong will all be taken into comprehensive consideration.

The renewal rate for the 54% visa indicates that nearly half of the applicants have not yet established the four types of ties mentioned above. This does not mean that all of them “do not want to renew” their visas; rather, it means they “did not have time to establish these ties.” For those planning to obtain Hong Kong residency, this serves as a sobering reminder: obtaining a visa is merely a ticket to entry; establishing substantive ties is where the real work begins.

II. Three Major Changes in Permanent Residency Review: From “Number of Days Resided” to “Substantive Connection + Value Contribution”

Starting in July 2026, there will be three major changes to the review process for permanent residency in Hong Kong. These three changes all point in the same direction: residency status is not something you “get,” but rather something you “build.”

Change 1: The basis for review has shifted from “number of days of residence” to “substantive connection.” In the past, having resided in Hong Kong for at least seven years was generally considered a relatively “formalistic” standard—as long as a person spent a certain number of days in Hong Kong each year, they were deemed to have met the requirement. Under the new regulations, whether a person is employed in Hong Kong, has started a business there, pays taxes, or participates in local economic activities will become more critical factors.

Change No. 2: The focus of the review has shifted from “eligibility requirements” to “value contribution.” The Immigration Department has made it clear that even if top-tier talent is granted a one-time six-year approval but returns to the mainland permanently, they will still not be eligible for permanent residency. In other words, “one-time paper qualifications” cannot substitute for “continuous contributions to Hong Kong.” The value of these contributions can take the form of economic contributions (taxes, consumption, investment) or social contributions (job creation, industry growth, professional services).

Change 3: Data review has shifted from a “single-department” approach to a “cross-departmental” one. Data from government agencies such as the Inland Revenue Department, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, the Companies Registry, and the Immigration Department have been integrated for cross-checking, supplemented by on-site inspections. The old practice of “renewing a license simply by registering an address” is now completely ineffective.

To meet the demand for Hong Kong residency renewal, Qicaiying has launched a comprehensive service package that includes “Hong Kong Residency Application + Renewal + Permanent Residency + Hong Kong Company Registration”: Assessment against the 12 criteria for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, preparation of income verification documents for the High-Caliber Talent Pass (Category A), asset allocation for the 30 million investment immigration program, Hong Kong company registration + statutory secretary services + annual review and tax filing + compliant bookkeeping + audit, MPF and tax filing, and assistance with office leasing in Hong Kong. Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the BVI, the Cayman Islands, and more, as well as corporate annual review and auditing, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax compliance, information changes, bank account opening, ODI filing, FDI filing, and other corporate services; Hong Kong residency applications, renewals, and permanent residency services; Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and managed operations—all as part of our one-stop service. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

III. Self-Help Strategies for Visa Renewal: Three Paths to a Comeback—From “High-Level Executive” to “Hong Kong Expat”

Many applicants only start “putting out fires” right before their first renewal, but renewal is never a last-minute effort—it is the result of long-term efforts. For High-Talent visa holders who have not yet established a substantial connection, there are three paths to self-rescue.

Path 1: Career Transition. The Immigration Department has clarified that “a change of industry is permitted”; even a medical doctor opening a coffee shop may renew their visa as long as the business is a genuine startup with employees and a steady cash flow. The key is to find a position that aligns with one’s professional background and offers long-term career prospects in Hong Kong, or to obtain a local Hong Kong professional license through vocational training.

Option 2: Start your own business as a self-employed individual. Set up a company in Hong Kong, register a valid business address, hire employees, and maintain accurate accounting records and file taxes on time. This is the most reliable path to visa renewal and is particularly suitable for business owners with operations in mainland China. A Hong Kong company not only provides the employment or business-related ties required for visa renewal but also serves as an international settlement hub and a brand management platform for mainland operations.

Path 3: Industry Transition and Localization. Holders of the High-Talent Pass can enter industries in Hong Kong that are in urgent need of talent, such as insurance, securities, education, and trade. These industries are relatively open to professionals with diverse backgrounds, and it is easy to integrate resources from the mainland into them.

No matter which path you choose, the key is to “turn your legal status on paper into an actual life in Hong Kong.” Setting up all the necessary infrastructure—including company registration, office space rental, employee hiring, Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF), and tax ID—all at once is far more effective than scrambling at the last minute.

IV. Three Reminders for 2026 Applicants: Don’t Fall Back on the Old Approach of “Getting Status First and Worrying About Renewal Later”

First, plan ahead for the renewal process. Before submitting your application, you should consider the employment or entrepreneurship requirements necessary for renewal. The 12 criteria for the “Outstanding Talents” program and the income requirements for Category A “Highly Skilled Talents” are merely the first step; renewal is the real test.

Second, prepare the materials in advance. It takes time to organize documents such as academic transcripts, work history, proof of income, and company records. Preparing them in advance allows for a smoother application process and ensures a more complete set of documents when it comes time to renew your visa.

Third, keep an eye on the Policy Address and the Five-Year Plan. The public consultation for the 2026 Policy Address began on June 29, and Hong Kong’s first five-year plan (2026–2030) is currently being drafted. While the specific details of policy adjustments will be subject to official announcements, the direction is already clear: shifting from “attracting talent” to “targeted talent development, recruitment, and retention.” Before the Policy Address is finalized, approval criteria remain relatively lenient, making this one of the few windows of certainty for residency planning.

The significance of the renewal rate of 54% lies not in the numbers themselves, but in the fact that it reveals the limitations of the “talent recruitment era.” Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, and other locations, as well as annual review and auditing, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax compliance, information changes, bank account opening, ODI and FDI filings, and other business services; Hong Kong residency applications, renewals, and permanent residency services; Singapore EP application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and agency operations. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

For those planning to obtain Hong Kong residency, the most important task in 2026 is to shift their focus from “how to obtain residency” to “how to establish a substantive connection.” Registering a company in Hong Kong, conducting business operations there, filing tax returns there, and making Hong Kong a part of your family life—each step is a piece of the puzzle for residency renewal, and none of these pieces can be put together at the last minute.