Hong Kong launches three measures to enhance Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

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The three measures include expanding the list of eligible universities under the TTPS, extending the validity period of the first visas of Category A applications under the TTPS, as well as enhancing the assessment criteria of the General Points Test under the QMAS.

Following the announcement in this year's Policy Address on the reforms in various aspects of the talent admission regime, the HKSAR Government has launched three measures to enhance the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS).

The three measures include:

1. Expanding the list of eligible universities under the TTPS

Thirteen top Mainland and overseas universities/institutions have been added to the list of eligible universities under the TTPS. The total number of eligible schools has increased from originally 185 to currently 198.

The newly added universities/institutions include:

• Sichuan University
• Beihang University
• Southeast University
• Beijing Institute of Technology
• Tongji University
• Renmin University of China
• Beijing Normal University
• Nankai University
• Tianjin University
• Royal College of Art
• University of the Arts London
• Parsons School of Design, The New School
• Rhode Island School of Design

2. Extending the validity period of the first visas of Category A applications under the TTPS to three years

The validity period of the first visa for approved Category A applicants under the TTPS, i.e. those with an annual income reaching HK$2.5mn or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application, has been extended from two years to three years to facilitate their early planning to move to Hong Kong with their families.

The 21,000 Category A applicants whose applications were approved before the announcement of this year's Policy Address may apply to the Immigration Department (ImmD) for an extension of stay within three months before their limit of stay expires. They 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 (GPT) under the QMAS

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.

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.

According to Chris Sun, Secretary of Labour and Welfare, over 380,000 applications have been received since the implementation of the new talent admission regime at the end of 2022. Nearly 240,000 applications have been approved. Around 160,000 people of talent have arrived in Hong Kong with their families.

“The enhancement measures implemented 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," he said.