Work as a Doctor or Nurse in Hong Kong 2027: Registration & Pay

Overseas-trained doctors can work in Hong Kong through four routes: the Medical Council's Licensing Examination (the only route straight to full registration and private practice), Special Registration for graduates of 166 recognised medical schools working in public institutions, Limited Registration for doctors hired by the Hospital Authority, Department of Health or the two medical faculties, and short Temporary Registration. Overseas nurses can now skip the exam too: since 2024, Limited and Special Registration let them work in public hospitals and care homes, with Special Registration leading to full registration after a period of service. A Hospital Authority resident trainee earns HK$77,959 to HK$155,089 a month plus a 15% gratuity.

This guide compares every route for doctors and nurses, what each costs, how long it takes and what you can earn, with links to the Medical Council, Nursing Council and Hospital Authority sources.

Can Foreign Doctors Work in Hong Kong?

Yes, and Hong Kong has been actively recruiting them. The Medical Registration (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, in force since 29 October 2021, created Special Registration so that doctors from recognised overseas schools can work in the public system without sitting the Licensing Examination (Medical Council of Hong Kong).

As at the end of May 2026, 161 doctors were practising under Special Registration, and the list of recognised medical qualifications had grown to 166 after a seventh batch was announced in June 2026 (Government press release, 17 June 2026).

If you're a healthcare professional looking at Hong Kong, check out ExpatJobBoard.com. We list thousands of English-speaking jobs in Hong Kong, including roles in hospitals, clinics and health-tech.

What Are the Routes for Overseas Doctors?

Sources: Medical Council pages on full, special, limited and temporary registration; Hospital Authority career guide for non-locally trained doctors.

How Does the Hong Kong Medical Licensing Examination Work?

The Licensing Examination is the only route that leads directly to full registration, which you need for private practice. It has three parts (MCHK Guidance Notes, 2026 second sitting):

1. Part I, Professional Knowledge. Written papers; you need 50% in each paper and 60% overall.
2. Part II, Medical English Proficiency Test.
3. Part III, Clinical Examination. Taken after passing Parts I and II, and can be answered in English, Cantonese or Putonghua.

To sit it, you need at least 5 years of full-time medical training, including a Council-approved internship, and an acceptable medical qualification.

How Much Does the Exam Cost?

Source: MCHK Guidance Notes to Candidates, 2026 second sitting.

That's HK$10,200 for a first attempt at all three parts. After passing, you complete a period of assessment of up to 12 months, starting on 1 January or 1 July. Specialists with a qualification comparable to a Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Fellowship can be partly exempted from the internship (MCHK internship exemption guidelines).

When Are the Next Exam Dates?

For the 2026 second sitting, Part II was on 31 August 2026, Part I on 1 and 2 September 2026, and Part III runs from late November to early December 2026. Applications for new candidates ran from 1 to 30 April 2026 and the Part III re-sit window (16 to 30 September 2026) is now closed. Dates for 2027 hadn't been published when we checked; watch the Medical Council's Licensing Examination page from early 2027.

How Does Special Registration Work for Doctors?

Special Registration lets you work full-time in a public institution without the exam. You need to be a "specified person", be selected for a full-time job at the Hospital Authority, Department of Health, HKU or CUHK, and be of good character (MCHK).

You're a specified person if one of these applies:

• You hold a recognised medical qualification and are registered in a qualifying place. If you're not a Hong Kong permanent resident, you also need a Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Fellowship or equivalent specialist training, plus CME certification.
• You've passed the Licensing Examination and completed the assessment period.
• You've worked at least 5 years under Limited Registration in a specified institution, with a Fellowship and CME.

Check whether your medical school is on the list in the full list of recognised medical qualifications (1st to 7th batch). It's dominated by the UK, US, Australia, Canada and mainland China, with a handful of schools elsewhere.

After 5 years of satisfactory service in the Hospital Authority following your specialist qualification, and certification from the Hospital Authority, you can move to full registration (HA career guide).

What Is Limited Registration for Doctors?

Limited Registration doesn't require the exam either. You need an acceptable overseas qualification, relevant clinical experience, registration in your home jurisdiction and a job with an employer on the Council's approved list, which mainly means the government, the Hospital Authority, and the HKU and CUHK medical faculties. Each grant lasts up to 3 years and can be renewed (MCHK).

It's the most flexible route for doctors whose school isn't on the recognised list. The trade-off is that it doesn't lead straight to full registration.

When Does the Hospital Authority Recruit Overseas Doctors?

The Hospital Authority runs an annual intake for non-locally trained doctors. Applications for the 2027/28 intake closed on 30 September 2026, with successful candidates reporting for duty by January 2028. Limited or Special Registration processing takes 3 to 4 months, and notarised documents are only valid for 3 months (HA career guide). If you missed this round, prepare your documents for the next one.

How Much Do Doctors Earn in Hong Kong?

In the public system, a Hospital Authority resident trainee earns HK$77,959 to HK$155,089 a month, plus a 15% gratuity, 25 days' annual leave, and housing, medical and dental benefits, on a 9-year contract (Hospital Authority 2026/27 Resident Training Programme talk).

That range applies to the local resident trainee track. Pay for doctors joining under Limited or Special Registration depends on the post and your experience, so confirm it in your offer. Private sector pay is higher but requires full registration.

Can Overseas Nurses Work in Hong Kong Without the Exam?

Yes, since 2024. The Nurses Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, passed by the Legislative Council in July 2024, created two new routes for non-locally trained nurses (Government press release):

Sources: Nursing Council pages on Limited Registration and Special Registration; Government gazettal notice.

The application fee for either new route is HK$1,190, and the Nursing Council has required new application forms since 16 March 2026. Verification takes 3 to 4 months. The Hospital Authority says Special Registration nurses can move to full registration after 5 years of service (HA).

How Many Overseas Nurses Have Used the New Routes?

Up to 31 December 2025, 731 nurses had applied and 394 registrations had taken effect: 227 Limited Registration, 137 Limited Enrolment and 30 Special Registration. The Hospital Authority employed 209 and care homes and social welfare units 185. At the same time, the Hospital Authority reported a shortage of 3,284 nurses (Government reply to LegCo, April 2026).

How Does the Nursing Council Licensing Examination Work?

If you want full registration and the freedom to work anywhere, including private hospitals, you'll need the Nursing Council Licensing Examination. For registered nurses it has a written paper (Medical English plus a nursing knowledge paper, pass mark 100 out of 200) and a practical exam of three 20-minute stations covering health assessment, medication and aseptic technique (Candidates' Handbook).

You must pass the written exam before the practical, and both can be taken in English or Chinese. In 2026, the RN practical ran on 24 to 26 June and the written exam on 23 September (Nursing Council exam dates). Check the handbook for current fees, as the published schedule may have been updated.

How Much Do Nurses Earn in Hong Kong?

Sources: Civil Service Bureau Master Pay Scale; Department of Health vacancy; LegCo reply.

The government says the Hospital Authority and Department of Health give non-locally trained nurses similar pay packages to local nurses. Note that civil service Registered Nurse posts generally require permanent residency and Cantonese; the Hospital Authority is the main employer for overseas nurses.

Which Visa Do Overseas Doctors and Nurses Need?

Most use the General Employment Policy (GEP), which needs a confirmed job offer at market pay. Initial stay is normally 36 months, processing takes about 4 weeks, and dependants can work (Immigration Department).

Doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and other health professions are on Hong Kong's Talent List, which can make applications smoother (HK Talent Engage). High earners and graduates of top universities can also consider the Top Talent Pass Scheme.

For nursing specifically, the Technical Professionals Stream launched on 30 June 2025 for applicants aged 18 to 40 with a job offer. Up to 28 February 2026, 149 nurse applications had been approved (LegCo reply).

Our Hong Kong work visa guide and GEP visa guide cover the paperwork.

Do You Need Cantonese to Work in a Hong Kong Hospital?

Not to qualify, but it helps a great deal with patients. The doctors' Licensing Examination can be answered in English, and Special and Limited Registration have no Chinese language requirement in themselves. However, most patients speak Cantonese, and many Department of Health posts list fluent Cantonese as a requirement. Overseas recruits in the Hospital Authority typically work in teams with bilingual colleagues. Our guide on whether you need Cantonese to work in Hong Kong covers the wider picture.

Which Route Should You Choose?

• You want private practice eventually: sit the Licensing Examination. It's the only direct route to full registration.
• Your school is on the recognised list and you're a specialist: Special Registration is the fastest way into a Hospital Authority job.
• Your school isn't on the list: Limited Registration through a Hospital Authority job offer.
• You're a nurse with 3+ years' experience: Special Registration if you want a path to full registration; Limited Registration if you want the quickest start.
• You're a nurse who wants to work in private hospitals: the Nursing Council Licensing Examination.

FAQs: Working in Hong Kong as an Overseas Doctor or Nurse

Can a UK-trained doctor work in Hong Kong without the exam?

Yes, through Special or Limited Registration in a public institution. UK medical schools are well represented on the recognised list. Non-permanent residents need specialist-level training for Special Registration.

Is my medical school recognised in Hong Kong?

Check the Medical Council's full list of recognised medical qualifications, which covered 166 qualifications after the seventh batch in June 2026.

Can Special Registration doctors work in private practice?

Not straight away. Special Registration covers the Hospital Authority, Department of Health, HKU and CUHK. You can apply for full registration after 5 years' satisfactory service with a specialist qualification.

How much does the Hong Kong medical licensing exam cost?

HK$10,200 for a first attempt in 2026: a HK$1,590 application fee plus HK$3,220, HK$1,850 and HK$3,540 for Parts I, II and III.

How much does a doctor earn in Hong Kong public hospitals?

Hospital Authority resident trainees earn HK$77,959 to HK$155,089 a month, plus a 15% gratuity and benefits.

Can overseas nurses work in Hong Kong without the licensing exam?

Yes. Since 2024, Limited and Special Registration (and Enrolment) let overseas nurses work for the Hospital Authority, Department of Health and, under Limited Registration, care homes, without the exam.

What's the difference between limited and special registration for nurses?

Limited Registration needs 1 year's experience and doesn't lead to full registration. Special Registration needs 3 years' experience plus post-qualification training, is limited to the Hospital Authority and Department of Health, and leads to full registration after a period of service.

How much does a registered nurse earn in Hong Kong?

Civil service Registered Nurses are paid HK$35,780 to HK$57,580 a month on the 2026 scale. The government says overseas nurses in the Hospital Authority and Department of Health get pay packages similar to local nurses.

Which visa do healthcare workers use in Hong Kong?

Usually the General Employment Policy, with a confirmed job offer. Health professions are on the Talent List, and nurses can also use the Technical Professionals Stream.

Can my spouse work in Hong Kong if I move on a GEP visa?

Yes. Dependants of GEP visa holders are allowed to work in Hong Kong without a separate work visa.

When does the Hospital Authority recruit overseas doctors?

Once a year. The 2027/28 intake closed on 30 September 2026, with start dates by January 2028. Prepare documents early for the next round, as notarised copies are valid for only 3 months.

Key Takeaways

• Overseas doctors can work in Hong Kong via the Licensing Examination, Special Registration, Limited Registration or Temporary Registration.
• Only the Licensing Examination leads directly to full registration and private practice; a first attempt costs HK$10,200.
• Hong Kong recognised 166 overseas medical qualifications after June 2026, and 161 doctors were practising under Special Registration by May 2026.
• Hospital Authority resident trainees earn HK$77,959 to HK$155,089 a month plus a 15% gratuity.
• Since 2024, overseas nurses can work without the exam under Limited or Special Registration; 394 registrations had taken effect by the end of 2025.
• The Hospital Authority's 2027/28 intake for non-locally trained doctors closed on 30 September 2026.

Find Healthcare Jobs in Hong Kong

Registration only matters once you have a role lined up. Browse English-speaking jobs in Hong Kong on ExpatJobBoard, and use our checklist for moving to Hong Kong for work once you have an offer.