Important Updates
Important Updates
July 17, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Permanent Residence Sponsorship Applications Under the Parents and Grandparents Program Pause Update
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: H-1B Cap Is Reached for FY 2026
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomWindpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules
July 17, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Permanent Residence Sponsorship Applications Under the Parents and Grandparents Program Pause Update
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: H-1B Cap Is Reached for FY 2026
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomWindpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules
July 17, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Permanent Residence Sponsorship Applications Under the Parents and Grandparents Program Pause Update
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Hong Kong SAR: Policy Address Announces New Initiatives to Attract Talent

October 19, 2022

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • Hong Kong SARHong Kong SAR

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee has delivered the first Policy Address of the new administration, which includes initiatives to attract business, investment and talent to raise Hong Kong SAR’s international competitiveness.
  • A new Top Talent Pass Scheme will be introduced for individuals who have been earning at least HKD 2.5 million a year, or those who have graduated from the world’s top 100 universities and have at least three years of work experience.
  • Employers will also benefit from the relaxation of the General Employment Policy scheme and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, including the elimination of the labour market test for certain occupations or high income earners, among other plans to boost the economy.

The situation

On October 19, 2022, Chief Executive John Lee delivered his 2022 policy address, which included several key immigration initiatives to attract and retain top talent to Hong Kong SAR to boost economic recovery.

A closer look

Key plans include the below:

  • Top Talent Pass Scheme. Creation of a new two-year Top Talent Pass Scheme for people who have been earning at least HKD 2.5 million a year, or those who have graduated from the world’s top 100 universities and have at least three years of work experience.
  • Attract strategic enterprises. Establishment of an Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, led by the Financial Secretary, for attracting strategic enterprises from Mainland China and overseas, and with a particular focus on industries of strategic importance, such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology.
  • Strengthen connections with universities and businesses. Creation of dedicated teams within Mainland China and overseas economic and trade offices to attract business and talent to Hong Kong SAR and strengthening links with Hongkongers studying or working in Mainland China or overseas. The functions of mainland offices and overseas economic and trade offices will be expanded to promote Hong Kong SAR’s programs to organisations and professionals and liaise with the world’s top 100 universities. This will be complemented by the establishment of a HKD 30 billion fund to attract enterprises to set up operations in Hong Kong SAR and invest in their businesses.
  • Relaxed immigration schemes. Relaxation of the General Employment Policy scheme and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals by eliminating the requirement to conduct labour market testing for certain occupations with recognised skilled shortages or where the proposed annual salary is HKD 2 million or above.
  • Quota suspension. Suspension for two years of the annual quota for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, currently set at 4,000 places, and updates to the ‘Talent List’ to reflect the latest shortages and market demand in relevant professions.
  • Expanded IANG scheme. Relaxation of the stay arrangements under the ‘Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates’ (IANG) to extend the stay period from one year to two years. Under a new two-year pilot scheme, the IANG scheme will also be expanded to graduates from the Guangdong-Hong Kong SAR-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) campus of a Hong Kong SAR university.
  • TechTas scheme improvements. Improving the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, including lengthening the quota validity period from one year to two years, and incorporating emerging technology areas into the scheme as necessary to better meet the needs of the technology sector.

The Chief Executive also announced that measures would be introduced to ‘relax the stay arrangements for various talent admission schemes’ and ‘streamline the visa renewal processing’, although no further detail has been released at this stage.

Background

Policy addresses in Hong Kong SAR do not usually bring about so many immigration-related initiatives. However, due to the tight labor market and skills gaps in Hong Kong SAR, as well as the shrinking of the international labour market due to various factors such as COVID-19 travel restrictions, the government is attempting to aggressively tackle these issues.

Impact

Employers should benefit from the relaxation of several immigration scheme processes and those short on talent should take advantage of the new immigration scheme offerings.

Looking ahead

The 2022 policy address included a commitment by the Chief Executive to turn Hong Kong SAR into a smart city, including the aim to have all government services online in two years. These measures may also drive the greater digitization of visa applications.

Implementation dates have not been released for many of these new initiatives. Fragomen will continue to monitor and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • Hong Kong SARHong Kong SAR

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.