VTC VPAS

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme

VPAS is an initiative promulgated by the HKSAR Government, aiming to attract non-local students to remain in Hong Kong upon graduation to work in a trade relevant to their programmes of study.

Aims:

To attract non-local students to enrol in VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes in Hong Kong in specified academic years

To remain in Hong Kong for employment in a full-time job relevant to the disciplines of their programmes of study upon graduation

To leverage their acquired expertise to contribute to crucial industries as technical professionals or specialists

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme pic 1

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme pic 2

Embark on your VPAS Journey

VPAS is an initiative promulgated by the HKSAR government to attract vocational and technical professionals in response to the urgent manpower needs arising from Hong Kong's economic transformation and rapid technological development.

Participate in VPAS

Industry Participation

Study in Hong Kong

Highlights of VPAS

Non-local students enrolled in the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes can apply for the "Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS)" upon graduation. However, applicants must reach the age of 18 or above when they submit their VPAS applications. This Scheme is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam, and persons who have been permitted to remain in the HKSAR under the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates.
Non-local students must complete the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes within three academic years after admission to be eligible for VPAS application.
In the 2024/25 academic year, the VPAS covers 27 eligible programmes in 5 trades. An addition of 7 eligible programmes covering 7 more trades is included in the 2025/26 academic year. In the 2026/27 academic year, one more trade is added with the total number of programmes remains at 34, covering 13 trades.

VPAS Progression Diagram

Under the prevailing immigration policy, non-local students enrolled in the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes are not eligible to apply for their dependants to remain in Hong Kong.
1. Non-local students enrolled in the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes can apply to return to work in Hong Kong under the VPAS within 7th-12th months after graduation. They must secure an offer of a full-time job relevant to the disciplines of their programmes of study, which is at a level commonly taken up by holders of higher diploma qualifications or above, with the remuneration package at market level and an employment contract period of not less than one year. Applicants who establish or join in a business in Hong Kong will not be regarded as having secured an offer of employment.
2. Persons admitted to remain in/return to and take up employment in Hong Kong under the VPAS may apply to bring their spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong under the prevailing dependant policy at the time of application. They are eligible to work and study in Hong Kong during their period of stay.
3. For details regarding the VPAS application, please refer to the Immigration Department's website (https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/vpas.html).
Applicants must have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years in accordance with the Immigration Ordinance and fulfill other relevant requirements.

Trades Covered

In the 2024/25 academic year, the VPAS covers 27 eligible programmes in 5 trades. An addition of 7 eligible programmes covering 7 more trades is included in the 2025/26 academic year. In the 2026/27 academic year, one more trade is added with the total number of programmes remains at 34, covering 13 trades.

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