VTC VPAS

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme

VPAS is a pilot scheme 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.

Note: Non-local students refer to persons entering the HKSAR for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration.

Aims:

Targeting non-local graduates admitted to Hong Kong to take up study in eligible Vocational Training Council (VTC) full-time Higher Diploma programmes in the 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 Top image

Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme Bottom image

Embark on your Journey

VPAS is a pilot scheme promulgated by the HKSAR Government in response to the pressing manpower needs arising from Hong Kong's economic transformation and rapid technological development.

Participate in VPAS

Industry Participation

Study in Hong Kong

VPAS Targets

Non-local students who enter Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration and who are 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.

VPAS

1. Non-local students who have completed an eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma programme can apply for a 12 months’ stay in Hong Kong under the VPAS within six months after the date of graduation to seek and take up a full-time job relevant to the disciplines of their programmes of study. They can also apply to return to work in Hong Kong under the VPAS within 7th to 12th months after the date of graduation. These applicants are required to have secured an offer of a full-time job relevant to their disciplines, which is at a level commonly taken up by holders of higher diploma qualifications and above, with the remuneration package at market level and an employment contract period of not less than one year. Applicants who have established or joined 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).
VPAS participants who have been granted to stay in Hong Kong on employment condition for a continuous period of 48 months or more under the VPAS may again apply for extension of stay in Hong Kong. They are required to prove that they will continue to be employed in Hong Kong on a full-time basis. The applications will be favourably considered if the job 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.

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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