Measures launched to enhance Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
This year's Policy Address announced reforms of various aspects of the talent admission regime. The Government today (November 1) launched three measures to enhance the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS).
(1) Expanding the list of eligible universities under the TTPS
There are originally 185 eligible universities under the TTPS. To further broaden the network for attracting more top talent worldwide, 13 top Mainland and overseas universities/institutions are added to the list of eligible universities under the TTPS starting today, making a total of 198 eligible schools. The newly added universities/institutions include:
(a) nine Mainland universities ranked from 11th to 20th under the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Best Chinese Universities Ranking in the past five years but yet to be included in the original list of eligible universities, namely, Sichuan University; Beihang University; Southeast University; Beijing Institute of Technology; Tongji University; Renmin University of China; Beijing Normal University; Nankai University and Tianjin University; and
(b) four top-five specialised institutions on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of "Art and Design" in the past five years, namely, Royal College of Art; University of the Arts London; Parsons School of Design, The New School; and Rhode Island School of Design.
The expanded list of eligible universities/institutions has been uploaded to the webpage of the Immigration Department (ImmD) (www.immd.gov.hk/pdf/aggregate_list.pdf) and Hong Kong Talent Engage (www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/how-to-apply-for-a-visa/admission-scheme-matching-tool-institutions/).
(2) Extending the validity period of the first visas of Category A applications under the TTPS to three years
Category A applicants under the TTPS are those with an annual income reaching HK$2.5 million or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application. For the applicants with approval given from the day of announcement in this year's Policy Address (i.e. October 16), the validity period of their first visa has been extended from two years to three years to facilitate their early planning to move to Hong Kong with their families. The new measure also applies to around 21 000 Category A applicants whose applications were approved before the announcement of this year's Policy Address. They may, starting from today onwards, apply to the ImmD for an extension of stay within three months before their limit of stay expires, and will be granted extension of stay for one year unconditionally. If they have secured offers of employment, or have established or joined in a business in Hong Kong upon applying for an extension, they may be granted an extension of stay for up to three years after submitting relevant proof.
(3) Enhancing the assessment criteria and arrangements of the General Points Test under the QMAS
The Government will, starting from today, enhance the General Points Test (GPT) under the QMAS by adopting a more objective and clear scoring criteria, and streamlining the application and selection process. The enhanced GPT replaces the original item-by-item scoring system with an assessment questionnaire. Applicants are required to confirm if they meet the 12 assessment criteria in the questionnaire under six major aspects, namely age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership, and submit supporting documents. The applicants can submit applications if they meet at least six assessment criteria. The ImmD will pass eligible applications received to a newly established assessment panel for further selection. The assessment panel is chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare with other relevant bureau secretaries as members. Based on the deliberation outcome, the assessment panel will provide advice to the Director of Immigration for his approval decision. There will be no annual quotas under the enhanced GPT. For applications submitted under the original GPT before implementation of the enhancement measures, the ImmD will continue the processing in accordance with the original criteria and procedures, and conclude the assessment as soon as possible.
The electronic application platform (www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/applyqmas.htm) for the enhanced GPT has commenced operation. For enquiries relating to applications for visa/entry permit, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline (2824 6111), by fax (2877 7711) or by email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).
The Secretary of Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The Government proactively trawls for talent and retains talent. Since the implementation of the new talent admission regime at the end of 2022, over 380 000 applications have been received, with nearly 240 000 applications approved. Around 160 000 people of talent have arrived in Hong Kong with their families. The enhancement measures implemented today will help further attract talent conducive to Hong Kong's development, enrich the local talent pool, enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the quest for talent, and consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international talent hub."
