Hong Kong changed its law in July 2024 so that experienced non-locally trained nurses can practise without first passing the local licensing exam, if they meet strict conditions. Here’s how the routes work and what the numbers show so far.
Imagine applying for a nursing job in Hong Kong a few years ago: almost every overseas nurse had to pass a local licensing exam first. Since 2024, the rules have changed, and new doors have opened for experienced nurses.
This article is part of our guide: Nursing Councils, Associations and Unions Explained.
What changed
The Nurses Registration Ordinance was amended in July 2024. It created new routes for nurses trained outside Hong Kong to work in designated institutions, such as the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health and residential care homes. Applications go to the Nursing Council of Hong Kong (NCHK).
The main routes
| Route | Who it’s for | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Special registration / enrolment | Experienced non-locally trained nurses with a job in a designated institution | Work in the designated institution; can lead to full registration |
| Limited registration / enrolment | Specific roles, including short-term exchanges | Includes 1-year exchanges under Greater Bay Area programmes |
| Licensing examination | Anyone seeking full registration directly | Traditional route, still available |
| Technical Professionals Stream (immigration) | Nurses aged 18–40 with a local job at market pay | Quota of 3,000 nurses over three years from June 2025 |
The numbers so far
According to a Hong Kong government reply to the Legislative Council in April 2026:
- The Hospital Authority received 3,759 applications for long-term posts between July 2024 and December 2025, interviewed 1,093 people and made 101 conditional offers.
- By 31 December 2025, the NCHK had received 731 applications and approved 402.
- Under the Technical Professionals Stream, 149 nurse applications had been approved by February 2026, most for residential care homes, with monthly salaries mostly between HK$22,000 and HK$29,999.
Tips for applicants
- Secure a job offer from a designated institution first.
- Prepare verified qualifications and a certificate of good standing.
- Be ready for interviews that test clinical judgement and English.
- Expect residential care roles to be easier to obtain than hospital posts.
But are overseas nurses really being hired, or is it just on paper?
Numbers are still modest. By the end of 2025, the council had approved several hundred applications, and the Hospital Authority had made around 100 conditional offers from thousands of applications. It’s a real route, but competitive. Strong experience, clear documents and patience matter.
Your next step: Read the Nursing Council of Hong Kong’s current guidance on special and limited registration, then check whether your qualification, experience and English meet the criteria before you apply for jobs.
Related: Singapore Nursing Board guide · Working abroad as a nurse · Council vs association vs union
Sources: Hong Kong Government, LCQ20 “Admission of non-locally trained nurses” (1 April 2026, info.gov.hk); South China Morning Post coverage of the 2024 amendment.
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