On May 16th, the government announced the expansion of the “Talent List” to cover 51 professions, up from the original 13, and it will be immediately applied to the “Quality Migrant Admission Scheme”, “General Employment Policy”, and “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” to attract more high-quality talent to Hong Kong and meet the city’s development needs.
In the 2022 Policy Address, the government pledged to update the list to reflect the latest shortage of professionals and technical talent in different fields. The Labour and Welfare Bureau and relevant policy bureaus and departments subsequently consulted industry organizations, major chambers of commerce, and the Human Resources Planning Commission to update the professions covered by the list.
The updated list (see attachment) covers 51 professions in nine industry sectors, including business support; creative industries, arts and culture, performing arts; construction and engineering; environmental technology and services; financial services; medical services; innovation and technology; legal and dispute resolution services; and maritime services.
A government spokesperson said, “The government’s manpower policy has always focused on cultivating local talent, supplemented by attracting foreign talent, with the goal of enriching Hong Kong’s talent pool and meeting the needs of socio-economic development. The expanded list will help us attract more high-quality talent and support the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s economy and society.”
The updated list, detailed descriptions of each profession, and guidelines for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme are available on the dedicated website (www.talentlist.gov.hk) and the “Hong Kong Talent Services Window” online platform (www.hkengage.gov.hk). Individuals interested in applying for the admission scheme can submit their application online through the Immigration Department’s electronic application platform (www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/services/index.html#tab_b_1).
The government first formulated the list in 2018, which included 11 professions, with the aim of effectively and selectively attracting high-quality talent from different industries and professional fields to complement Hong Kong’s high-value and diversified economic development. After a review in 2021, the list was expanded to cover 13 professions. Under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, eligible applicants who meet the requirements of the relevant professions in the list can obtain an additional 30 points under the “General Points Test”, significantly increasing their chances of approval. Since December 28th of last year, if the position offered to imported talent falls under the professions on the list, employers do not need to prove difficulties in local recruitment and can directly submit an application, shortening the time it takes for employers to recruit foreign talent.
Source: HONG KONG TALENT ENGAGE