Hong Kong expands GEP and IANG extension window to 3 months before expiry

How the stay window works

Hong Kong’s Immigration Department now says General Employment Policy (GEP) and Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) holders can file extension requests within three months before their stay expires. The official pages, updated in April 2026, still say applicants should file as early as possible and, in all cases, at least six weeks before expiry.

That’s a clearer and wider filing window than the earlier four-week reading many applicants had relied on. The department also says routine processing usually takes two to three weeks once all documents and the fee are received.

Who the rule reaches

The change affects foreign professionals on GEP, non-local graduates on IANG and dependants covered under those schemes. Both routes remain quota-free and non-sector specific.

Applicants must be physically in Hong Kong when they apply and they should normally leave once their current stay ends if the extension is still pending. The Immigration Department says staying past expiry is generally not allowed unless the Director of Immigration approves an exceptional circumstance.

What applicants need to do

GEP extensions require a travel document, Hong Kong ID card and employer documents or proof of a job change, depending on the case. IANG applicants need a travel document, Hong Kong ID card, proof of qualification and employment or business evidence when relevant.

Applications go in online with supporting documents and the fee, which is non-refundable even if the case is refused. The government’s fee table lists HK$600 as the application fee, plus a visa issuance fee of HK$1,300 for stays longer than 180 days or HK$600 for stays of 180 days or less. Read our full Hong Kong guide for the complete picture.