Responding to lawmakers on 11 November, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun reported that Hong Kong’s various talent-admission schemes have drawn “over 320,000” applicants since revamps began in late 2023. The figure covers the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) and sector-specific programmes for tech and finance. Sun told the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents that the government would “proactively invite” top-notch scientists and entrepreneurs under an uncapped TTPS quota, aligning with Chief Executive John Lee’s pledge to reboot Hong Kong’s status as an international talent hub. Authorities have already sent more than 50,000 personalised “invitation letters” to high-salary individuals identified from immigration and tax databases. To improve retention, pass holders can now apply for extension three months before expiry and bring dependants with streamlined paperwork. Officials are also negotiating mutual-recognition deals on professional qualifications with jurisdictions in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. For multinationals, the statistics confirm a deepening pipeline of importable talent—useful for headcount planning as regional headquarters expand. Mobility teams should note that labour-market competition is heating up: employers may need to adjust compensation to stand out among thousands of offers being fielded by newcomers. Sun dismissed suggestions of a quota cap, arguing that “the more, the better” as long as arrivals find work or set up companies. Analysts say the city still faces housing and education bottlenecks that could dampen inflow if not addressed.
Source: HKSAR Government Press Release
