The list is not a fixed list; it is a dynamic list that is updated annually.

Many applicants view the ”List of Eligible Universities” as a static document that remains unchanged; in reality, it is updated annually, with institutions added or removed based on dynamic changes in several major global university rankings. According to industry sources, the total number of institutions on the 2026 list has been adjusted to 200, a slight change from the 199 in the previous edition. Newly added institutions include the University of Adelaide, the Polytechnic University of Milan, the University of Vienna, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, among others. At the same time, some institutions have been removed from the list due to a decline in their rankings.

Here is a rule of thumb you must keep in mind:You should refer to the list that is in effect in the year you submit your application, not the list from the year you graduated. If a student was on the list at the time of graduation but was removed from it at the time of application, they are ineligible; conversely, if a student was not on the list at the time of graduation but was newly added to it at the time of application, they may be eligible. Specific list of institutionsPlease refer to the official announcements from the Hong Kong Immigration Department.The

University mergers and name changes are the pitfalls most easily overlooked

When the list is updated, there may also be cases of institutional mergers or name changes. For example, according to publicly available information, the University of Adelaide will merge with the University of South Australia in 2026 to form the new University of Adelaide; such changes may result in discrepancies between the institution names listed in the old version and those in the new version. When verifying the list, applicants should compare the institution’s name as stated on their diploma with the official list for that year on a case-by-case basis. If there is a discrepancy, they should prepare supporting documents or explanatory materials issued by the institution in advance, rather than assuming that ”their alma mater must be on the list.”

If you only consider undergraduate degrees, it's pointless if master's and doctoral degrees aren't on the list.

The core requirement for both Category B and Category C High-Talent Passes is ”holding a bachelor’s degree from a qualified university,” and the eligible candidates areBachelor's degree, not a master's or doctoral degree.

This is a common pitfall: Applicants who earned their bachelor’s degree from a non-eligible institution but their master’s or doctoral degree from an institution on the list cannot apply under Category B or C based on their graduate degree. If the applicant’s undergraduate institution is indeed not on the list, they need to reassess other application pathways rather than trying to manipulate their academic credentials.

Verification of work experience has also been tightened

Category B requires applicants to have accumulated three or more years of work experience within the five years prior to application, while Category C is for individuals with less than three years of work experience and is subject to an annual quota on a first-come, first-served basis. According to industry sources, the verification of work experience will no longer rely solely on employer letters of confirmation; social security records, personal income tax records, pay stubs, and employment contracts may be cross-checked, and internship experience is generally not counted toward the required duration.

In addition, Category C does not apply to non-local students who have earned a bachelor’s degree by pursuing a full-time, locally accredited program in Hong Kong; this is also clearly stated on the official application page.

You must submit your academic credential verification during the renewal process.

During the initial application phase, you are not required to submit an academic credential verification report; however, during the renewal process, Category B and C applicants will be prompted by the system to submit a bachelor’s degree verification document. Without this document, you will not be able to proceed to the subsequent review stages. We recommend that you complete the academic credential verification and keep a copy on file immediately after your initial approval to avoid delays in submission during renewal due to the verification process.

Three steps for self-verification: First, confirm that your undergraduate institution is on the official list for the current year; second, verify that your graduation year and work experience meet the requirements for Category B or Category C; third, complete the degree certification process in advance and keep a copy on file. No organization can guarantee the outcome of the approval process,Please refer to the official announcements from the Hong Kong Immigration Department.The

Qicaiying can assist applicants in verifying the alignment between their educational background and work experience, and coordinate the preparation of documents for both the establishment of a Hong Kong company and subsequent renewal applications. Specific eligibility criteria are subject to the regulations published by the Immigration Department.