Hong Kong has updated its Talent List to address local workforce shortages and attract skilled professionals from around the world. Effective from March 1, 2025, the revised list now includes 60 in-demand professions, allowing eligible foreign workers to benefit from streamlined immigration policies.
What is Talent List
The Talent List is a government-designated list of high-demand professions in Hong Kong facing local workforce shortages. It allows skilled foreign professionals to benefit from fast-track immigration under key visa schemes like QMAS, GEP, and ASMTP, easing employment restrictions.
Fast-Track Immigration for Skilled Foreign Workers
Foreign workers who qualify under the updated Talent List can access immigration facilitation when applying for Hong Kong’s key work and talent visa schemes, including:
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
- General Employment Policy (GEP)
- Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)
Employers hiring under GEP and ASMTP will no longer need to prove difficulties in local recruitment, expediting the hiring process for overseas talent.
Key Changes to the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
Since its revamp on November 1, 2024, the QMAS has provided preferential consideration for applicants whose professions appear on the Talent List. Under this scheme:
- Applicants do not need a job offer before applying.
- Successful candidates can bring their spouses and dependents.
- Selection exercises occur regularly based on assessment criteria.
- Two assessment routes are available:
- General Points Test (with 12 criteria)
- Achievement-based Points Test (with 2 criteria)
Newly Added Professions in Hong Kong’s Talent List
The latest update introduces nine new occupations across financial services, innovation and technology, legal services, and aviation and shipping. These include:
- Financial Services: Accountants, financial professionals with Islamic market experience, and experienced professionals in commodities trading.
- Innovation and Technology: Experienced systems architects and patent professionals.
- Legal Services: Legal knowledge engineers.
- Aviation and Shipping: Ship surveyors, professionals in green shipping, and aircraft maintenance engineers.
Full List of 60 Eligible Professions
- Actuaries
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
- Asset Management Professionals
- Auditors
- Biomedical Engineers
- Blockchain Specialists
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Cloud Computing Experts
- Compliance Officers
- Construction Managers
- Cybersecurity Experts
- Data Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Digital Marketing Specialists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Experienced Professionals in Commodities Trading
- Experienced Systems Architects
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Professionals with Islamic Market Experience
- Fintech Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Green Energy Experts
- Green Shipping Professionals
- Healthcare Specialists
- Human Resource Professionals
- Industrial Engineers
- Infrastructure Engineers
- Innovation and Technology Specialists
- IT Project Managers
- Legal Knowledge Engineers
- Logistics Managers
- Marine Engineers
- Marketing Analysts
- Mechanical Engineers
- Medical Scientists
- Mobile Application Developers
- Nanotechnology Experts
- Network Security Experts
- Patent Professionals
- Pharmacists
- Product Designers
- Project Managers
- Quantity Surveyors
- Renewable Energy Experts
- Research Scientists
- Risk Management Specialists
- Robotics Engineers
- Semiconductor Engineers
- Ship Surveyors
- Software Developers
- Structural Engineers
- Supply Chain Managers
- Sustainability Experts
- Telecommunications Engineers
- Urban Planners
- UX/UI Designers
- Web Developers
New Application Fee Structure for Visa Schemes
Starting February 26, 2025, at 11 a.m., Hong Kong has introduced a revised fee structure for visa applications under various talent admission schemes. This includes a new application fee and a two-tiered visa issuance fee to attract both skilled professionals and capital investors.
Application Fee A new, non-refundable application fee of HKD 600 is now required for each application. Â
Visa Issuance Fee: This fee is now two-tiered, depending on the visa’s validity:
- HKD 600 for visas with a validity period of 180 days or less. Â
- HKD 1,300 for visas with a validity period of more than 180 days
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit applications via the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s electronic application platform. For more details on eligibility and application procedures, visit the official immigration website.
Conclusion
With Hong Kong’s expanded Talent List and immigration-friendly policies, skilled professionals across various industries have new opportunities to work and settle in the city. The updated policies not only streamline the hiring process for employers but also strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for innovation, finance, and technology.
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