To move from an insurance job in Singapore to one in Hong Kong, secure a Hong Kong job offer first and let your employer sponsor a General Employment Policy visa, or apply under the Top Talent Pass Scheme if you qualify. If the role involves selling or advising on insurance, plan for Insurance Authority licensing and the IIQE exams, then budget for MPF and salaries tax.
Step 1: Decide which kind of move you are making
Insurance professionals typically move from Singapore to Hong Kong in one of three ways:
- Internal transfer with your current insurer, reinsurer or broker. This is often the simplest, because the employer handles the visa and relocation.
- A new employer in Hong Kong, usually found through networking, direct applications or a specialist recruiter.
- Moving first and job hunting on the ground, which is only possible if you hold a visa that does not depend on a job offer, such as the Top Talent Pass.
Your answer decides which visa route fits, and how much of the process you manage yourself.
Step 2: Choose the right visa route
Unless you already have the right to live and work in Hong Kong, you need permission from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The two routes most relevant to insurance professionals are:
| Route | Key requirements | Initial stay |
|---|---|---|
| General Employment Policy (GEP), professionals | A confirmed job offer for a genuine vacancy that cannot readily be filled locally; normally a relevant first degree (or, in special circumstances, good technical qualifications or proven experience); remuneration broadly in line with the market | 36 months or the contract length, whichever is shorter |
| Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), Category A | Annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more (or the foreign currency equivalent) | 36 months |
| TTPS, Category B | A degree from an eligible university plus at least three years of work experience in the past five years | 24 months |
| TTPS, Category C | A degree from an eligible university in the past five years, with less than three years of experience; subject to an annual quota | 24 months |
Under GEP, your employer acts as sponsor and the Immigration Department says processing normally takes four weeks once it has all documents and the fee. A Top Talent Pass is granted on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay, which gives you more flexibility to job hunt or switch employers. Check the eligible university list and current terms on the Immigration Department site before you apply.
Step 3: Check whether your role needs a licence
Hong Kong regulates insurance intermediaries through the Insurance Authority (IA). If your new role involves acting as an agent or broker, for example selling, arranging or advising on policies, you will usually need to be licensed as an individual. According to the IIQE handbook issued by the examination body appointed by the IA, every individual licensee (an individual insurance agent, a technical representative (agent) or a technical representative (broker)) must pass the Insurance Intermediaries Qualifying Examination unless exempted.
| Line of business | IIQE papers |
|---|---|
| General insurance | Paper I and Paper II |
| Long term insurance (excluding investment-linked) | Paper I and Paper III |
| Long term insurance including investment-linked | Papers I, III and V |
Paper I (Principles and Practice of Insurance) is compulsory, and each paper requires a minimum score of 70%. Corporate roles inside an insurer, such as underwriting, actuarial, claims, finance or technology, generally do not require an individual intermediary licence, but confirm this with your employer for your specific job.
Step 4: Understand the money
MPF
Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund replaces the role CPF plays for Singaporeans and PRs. According to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, employees and employers each contribute 5% of relevant income, with minimum and maximum relevant income levels of HKD 7,100 and HKD 30,000 a month for monthly-paid employees. In practice, mandatory contributions stop rising once your income passes the maximum level. Many insurers add voluntary contributions on top, so ask about the full retirement package.
Salaries tax
For the 2025/26 year of assessment, PwC’s Hong Kong tax summary lists progressive salaries tax rates from 2% to 17%, with the total capped by the two-tier standard rate of 15% on the first HKD 5 million of net income and 16% on the rest. Compare your Singapore and Hong Kong offers on take-home pay, housing costs and benefits, not on headline base salary alone.
Package items to negotiate
- Relocation allowance and temporary accommodation
- Housing support, which matters given Hong Kong rents
- Visa and licensing costs, including IIQE fees if relevant
- Bonus timing, so you do not forfeit a Singapore bonus by resigning just before it is paid
- Medical cover for dependants
For a sense of current pay levels in one common function, see our guide to claims manager salaries in Hong Kong.
Step 5: Know how the Hong Kong market differs
- Capital regime. Hong Kong’s risk-based capital (RBC) regime for insurers came into operation on 1 July 2024, so actuarial, capital and risk skills are in focus as insurers work under the new rules.
- Language. Cantonese or Mandarin can be a requirement for client-facing and some management roles, though many regional and technical roles work in English.
- Regional scope. Some Hong Kong roles cover Greater China or North Asia, while Singapore often hosts Southeast Asian or APAC regional hubs. Clarify the actual remit before you accept.
Actuaries planning the move will find their SOA or IFoA credentials travel well. Our guide on how to become an actuary in Singapore explains those routes.
Step 6: Run the job search
- Rewrite your CV for Hong Kong: highlight North Asia or Greater China exposure, language skills and any regional responsibility.
- Check your Singapore notice period and any non-solicitation terms before you start talking to competitors.
- Target employers with offices in both cities, since an internal transfer later can be easier than a cold move.
- Line up the visa route with your future employer early, so the start date is realistic.
- Consider a specialist recruiter with a Hong Kong presence. See is it worth using a recruiter to find an insurance job.
How LUNOS can help
LUNOS is an Asian boutique specialist insurance, contracting and consulting recruitment firm with offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, and desks spanning actuarial, underwriting, broking and claims, finance, risk and compliance, operations, technology and senior appointments. If you are in Singapore and considering a move to Hong Kong, you can talk to a consultant in confidence about the market and your options. Start a conversation with LUNOS or WhatsApp us at +65 9720 6845.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer to move to Hong Kong?
Under the General Employment Policy, yes, your employer sponsors you. Under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, eligible applicants can move without a job offer, subject to its income or degree criteria.
Do I need to pass the IIQE to work in insurance in Hong Kong?
Only if you will be an individual licensee such as an agent or a technical representative. Paper I is compulsory, plus the paper for your line of business. Corporate roles generally do not need it.
How much MPF will I pay in Hong Kong?
Employees and employers each contribute 5% of relevant income, within relevant income levels of HKD 7,100 to HKD 30,000 a month for monthly-paid staff.
How long does a GEP work visa take?
The Immigration Department says processing normally takes four weeks after it receives all required documents and the fee.