Hong Kong must build a quality talent pool for development in the face of a projected shortage of 180,000 workers across different sectors over the next five years, Chief Executive John Lee said.
Hong Kong will add 13 mainland Chinese and overseas universities to its Top Talent Pass Scheme, as the city strives to position itself as an “international hub for high-calibre talent.” The scheme aims to attract people with rich work experience and good academic qualifications, Chief Executive John Lee said during the 2024 Policy Address on Wednesday (October 16).
The addition will expand the list to 198 universities, while the validity of the first visa for high-income talent under the scheme will be lengthened from two years to three years, the Hong Kong leader said.
The Top Talent Pass Scheme was introduced in December 2022 to attract more high earners and university graduates to the city amid a wave of emigration. In late 2023, the government expanded the Top Talent Pass Scheme and revived a suspended investment migration scheme.
Lee said on Wednesday that more than 380,000 applications had been received under the top talent scheme so far, and around 160,000 people had arrived in Hong Kong with their families. Successful applicants under the Top Talent Pass Scheme will first be granted a two-year work visa.
According to the Immigration Department, in order to extend the visa, they should secure employment in Hong Kong “which is at a level commonly taken up by degree holders or persons with good professional/technical qualifications” and that is remunerated at market level. Additionally, anyone on the scheme earning at least HK$2 million can enjoy an extension of six years upon renewal.
Hong Kong must build a quality talent pool for development in the face of a projected shortage of 180,000 workers across different sectors in the next five years, the chief executive said. For specific skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage, Lee pledged to provide new channels to attract experienced specialists through the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. He said a quota would be set under the arrangement but did not provide any details.
A new mechanism will also be introduced to the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Lee said, for “inviting top-notch talents to come to our city for development.”
Non-local graduates
The pilot arrangement for including graduates from Greater Bay Area (GBA) campuses of Hong Kong universities under the city’s Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates will be extended for two years, Lee said.
The scheme allows non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited programme in Hong Kong to apply to stay or return and work in the city.
Talent engage establishment, talent attraction
The opening ceremony of Hong Kong Talent Engage, an office especially for talent attraction and services launched on October 20, 2023. Successful applicants are usually granted an initial stay of 24 months and may apply for an extension if they get a job that offers a market-level remuneration package.
The GBA campuses currently include the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). – Hong Kong Free Press
