Hong Kong opens doors to talent: updates on TTPS and QMAS programs

In the face of current economic challenges, Hong Kong is taking active steps to attract highly skilled professionals and students through the Top Talent Pass (TTP) program. The introduction of this program in December 2022 is a response to the growing wave of emigration and labor shortages.

Relevance of the program: CEO John Lee emphasizes the importance of building a talent pool in the face of a projected shortage of 180,000 workers across sectors over the next five years. This underscores the need for proactive measures to improve the labor market situation and enhance the country's international competitiveness.

In early November 2024, the Hong Kong government introduced three measures to improve the Hong Kong Talented Trainee Program (TTPS) and the Quality Migrant Admissions Scheme (QMAS).

Expansion of the list of qualified institutions: Thirteen renowned mainland and overseas universities and institutes were added to the common list, increasing the total number of eligible institutions to 198. Earlier, 185 universities were listed under the TTPS program. The move helps to attract even more students and professionals with high level of qualifications.

Visa policy changes: The validity of first visas for Category A applicants under the TTPS program who have an annual income of at least HK$2.5 million in the year prior to application has been extended.

For those whose visas were approved from October 16, 2024, the validity of the first visa has been extended from two to three years. This innovation is intended to facilitate the planning process of relocation to Hong Kong for both the applicants themselves and their families.

Applicants whose applications were approved before October 16 can apply to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay within three months before the expiration of their current stay. They will be granted a one-year extension without conditions. If they have received job offers or established/joined a business in Hong Kong while applying for an extension, they may be granted an extension for up to three years, provided they provide relevant evidence.

Improvement of assessment procedures: From November 1, the General Points Test (GPT) under the QMAS program has been improved. More objective and clearer scoring criteria have been introduced, and the application and selection process has been made simpler. The new GPT has replaced the previous point scoring system with a new assessment questionnaire.

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet 12 criteria on the questionnaire in six main categories: age, education level, language proficiency, professional experience, annual income, and business ownership.

Applicants are eligible to apply if they meet at least six of the designated criteria. The Department of Immigration will then send eligible applications to a newly created evaluation committee for further analysis and selection.

The Top Talent Pass program and the Quality Migrant Admission program are constantly improving, a testament to Hong Kong's dedicated migration policy. Their aim is not only to fill labor shortages and attract professionals with high skill levels and significant work experience, but also to enhance Hong Kong's status as an international talent hub.

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