In his 2026 Policy Address delivered on 16 September, Chief Executive John Lee unveiled a brand-new Short-Term Training Visa that will allow overseas professionals to come to Hong Kong for government-recognised training programmes of up to 12 months. According to officials quoted by the South China Morning Post, the Immigration Department has been tasked with drafting the legal framework so the visa can open for applications as early as the first quarter of 2027. The new category is part of a wider “talent-trawl” package that also highlights five sector-specific academies—covering hospitality, finance, policing, aviation and innovation—that will host international cohorts. By offering a bespoke permit rather than using existing employment or student visas, the government hopes to remove red tape for companies that need to rotate staff through intensive courses, simulations or executive programmes lasting a few weeks to a few months. Employers in aviation, maritime services and financial compliance—three industries where Hong Kong positions itself as a regional hub—have long complained that the city’s standard training quota (under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals) is inflexible for short deployments. HR directors say a purpose-built visa will reduce lead times from the current six to eight weeks to “less than two,” enabling them to respond to client demand and regulatory changes faster. For global mobility managers, the practical implications are significant. Companies will be able to second junior staff for on-the-job training without having to prove local labour market shortages, while trainees can open local bank accounts and obtain Hong Kong ID cards—crucial for accessing e-services and housing. Relocation providers should start advising clients to map upcoming training calendars so they can file bulk visa applications once the Immigration Department releases operational guidelines, expected by December 2026. Overall, the scheme reinforces Hong Kong’s ambition to brand itself as a “regional training hub” for Asia-Pacific multinationals.
Source: South China Morning Post
