Source: HKSAR Immigration Department (immd.gov.hk). UK Gov Hong Kong travel advice. Always verify with official sources before applying.
Note: This is the UK's BN(O) visa route — it is for Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders moving TO the UK, not for British nationals moving to Hong Kong. If you hold a BN(O) passport issued by Hong Kong, you can apply for UK residency via the BN(O) visa. If you are a British national wanting to live in Hong Kong, this visa does not apply to you — see Employment Visa or Quality Migrant below.
BN(O) visa information for Hong Kong nationals coming to UK → gov.uk
The standard route for British nationals taking up employment in Hong Kong. Your employer in Hong Kong sponsors your application to the HKSAR Immigration Department. You must demonstrate that you are filling a role that cannot reasonably be filled by a local Hong Kong resident. Approval times vary — typically 4–6 weeks. Your employer's HR department or immigration agent handles this.
Points-based scheme for high-calibre professionals who do not have a job offer in Hong Kong at the time of application. Successful applicants can enter Hong Kong and seek employment. Highly competitive — prioritises candidates with exceptional achievements in their field or high educational and professional qualifications combined with strong employment records.
Verify: immd.gov.hk — QMAS information
Not tied to a specific employer — for high-earning EP holders (last drawn fixed monthly salary HKD 22,500+/month) or overseas foreign professionals earning HKD 270,000+/year. Allows you to stay in Hong Kong for up to 6 months between jobs without losing your pass. Valid 3 years, not renewable. Useful for senior professionals between roles or evaluating opportunities. Source: HKSAR Immigration — PEP
Introduced in 2022 to attract high-earning professionals. Eligible for those who earned HKD 2.5 million+ (approx. £250,000+) in the previous year, or graduates from globally top-ranked universities (QS top 100) in the past 5 years. Allows you to enter Hong Kong to seek employment or start a business. Valid 2 years initially.
Hong Kong is a global financial centre with a sophisticated and well-regulated banking system. HSBC, Standard Chartered and Hang Seng are the main banks for expats. USD-pegged HKD means exchange rate stability against the dollar.
The dominant expat bank. HSBC Premier customers can open Hong Kong accounts with their existing international relationship before arrival. Globally connected — ideal if you're moving between financial centres. Requires meeting Premier balance thresholds (typically HKD 1 million in assets or monthly salary credit).
HSBC subsidiary, Hong Kong's second largest bank. Often easier to open an account as a new resident without an existing banking relationship. Good digital banking, wide ATM network, competitive FX rates for regional transfers. Strong in trade finance and investment products.
Another strong option for expats, particularly those with existing StanChart relationships from Singapore or the UK. Good for cross-border banking across Asia. Priority Banking account available on qualifying balances.
General information only. Source: Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong (ird.gov.hk). Seek professional advice for your circumstances.
Hong Kong taxes income earned in Hong Kong — territorial system, not worldwide. Salaries tax is capped at 15% of assessable income. Progressive rates apply below that cap (2% to 17%). No tax on capital gains. No VAT. Significant personal allowances reduce taxable income substantially for most earners. Among the most tax-efficient jurisdictions in the world for high earners.
Hong Kong has no capital gains tax. Investment income, property gains and cryptocurrency gains are not taxed in Hong Kong — provided they are capital rather than trading in nature.
If non-UK resident under the SRT, UK rental income remains taxable in the UK. Self-employment income from work done in Hong Kong is not UK-source and not UK-taxable. Capital gains on most assets (including crypto) are not subject to UK CGT for non-residents — only gains on UK land and property disposals are. The UK and Hong Kong have a double taxation agreement covering certain income types. See our Tax & Legal section →
Hong Kong has excellent private healthcare. Most employers provide group health insurance — check the policy limits carefully. The public system (Hospital Authority) is available to residents but private is significantly better and faster. International private medical insurance is recommended for comprehensive coverage.
Employer health plans in Hong Kong vary widely. Many have annual limits of HKD 200,000–500,000 which sound substantial but can be consumed quickly by a serious illness or surgery in a Hong Kong private hospital. Ensure your plan includes psychiatric coverage, outpatient specialist access and direct billing at major private hospitals (Matilda, Adventist, Canossa).
HKT/PCCW, SmarTone and 3HK are the main networks. Coverage in Hong Kong is outstanding — some of the fastest 5G in the world. Local SIMs are cheap and easy to buy at 7-Eleven or network shops with your passport. Long-term residents use monthly contracts on competitive rates.
Hong Kong eSIM plans from around $5 for 3GB. Worth having set up before landing so you're connected the moment you clear immigration at HKIA.
Get a Hong Kong eSIM from Airalo (AD)Indicative figures for a single person. Hong Kong is consistently one of the world's most expensive cities — particularly for accommodation. Figures in GBP at April 2026 rates.
Accommodation is the defining cost in Hong Kong. Most employer packages include a housing allowance — negotiate this before accepting an offer. Hong Kong's MTR is world-class; a car is unnecessary and prohibitively expensive. Eating local (cha chaan teng, dai pai dong) is very affordable; Western restaurants are expensive.
There's a gap between arriving in a new country and getting long-term health insurance sorted. Travel insurance covers you in that window — and for trips back home, visits to neighbouring countries, and activity-based incidents that IPMI doesn't always cover. It's not a substitute for proper expat health cover but it fills the gap.
Designed specifically for travellers and new expats. Covers emergency medical, trip cancellation, adventure activities and personal liability. Available to residents of most countries. Get a quote online in minutes — cover can start immediately.
Travel insurance is not a substitute for international private medical insurance for long-term residents. See our health insurance comparison →
Most people moving abroad ship less than they expect and buy more locally than they planned. That said, some things are worth shipping — clothes for all climates, specialist equipment, sentimental items. Get multiple quotes before committing.
International removals by sea and air. Door-to-door service covering most of our destination countries. Competitive for partial loads. Quote online.
Get a removals quote (AD)Before booking a container, price up buying equivalent items at your destination. In Thailand and Malaysia, furniture and electronics are often cheaper locally. In UAE and Singapore, not so much. Ship what you can't replace, buy the rest.
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