Immigration News
2025 Talent Drive: Successful Applicants under Talent, QMAS and Entrepreneur Schemes Are Arriving in Hong Kong
Posted by Uni Immigration on 2025-08-28
The immigration wave, aging population, declining fertility rate and other situations in Hong Kong have made Hong Kong hungry for talents. The Hong Kong government has launched a series of talent-grabbing measures since the end of 2022 and will be implemented gradually in 2023, including the "Quality Talents Entry Scheme (Hong Kong Talent Scheme)", "Hong Kong Talents Scheme" and "Entrepreneurs Investment in Hong Kong". The government stated that as of the end of February 2025, 450,000 applications had been received for various talent entry programs, of which more than 290,000 were approved. About 196,000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong, some of whom came with their families, successfully reversing the decline in the local labor force.
The demand for entry of professionals, talents and entrepreneurs has increased significantly. What are the similarities and differences among the three? What are the benefits? How to apply? Uni Immigration will be broken down for you one by one below.
The "Hong Kong Talent Scheme" and the "Qualified Talents Entry Scheme" are the two main ways to immigrate to Hong Kong, while overseas Chinese citizens can apply for the "Entrepreneur Investment in Hong Kong"; the three can come from all walks of life.
Hong Kong Professionals and Qualified Migrant Entry Scheme respectively
Should I apply for the "Hong Kong Talent Scheme" or the "Quality Migrant Admission Scheme"? This is a common question asked by people who want to work in Hong Kong and settle in the Mainland. The biggest difference between the two is that the "Hong Kong Talent Scheme" is similar to the foreign "work visa". Before coming to Hong Kong, you must first be employed by a local Hong Kong company that has been established for at least one year, and the employer must apply. The visa cannot be renewed without a job. The "Quality Migrant Entry Scheme" is actually a program for immigrating to Hong Kong. Applicants apply by themselves. They do not need to obtain employment in Hong Kong before coming to Hong Kong. They have a higher degree of freedom. After being approved, they can choose to study, work or start a business in Hong Kong. There is no problem even if they are temporarily unemployed.
There is no distinction between the gifted and talented programs in Hong Kong. The most important thing is to choose the program that suits you. The "Experts and Talents Scheme" focuses on the work experience of applicants. Applicants who hold positions that are in demand and lacking in Hong Kong are more likely to succeed. The "Experts and Talents Scheme" obtains comprehensive scores based on professional qualifications, family background, etc., and those who stand out among them have a higher chance of being approved.
Similarities between Hong Kong Talents, Talent Scheme and Entrepreneurs’ Investment in Hong Kong
Renewal form: "3+3+2"
The period of stay model is relaxed from the original "2+3+3" years to "3+3+2" years.
Accompanying persons: spouse and children
Applicants can immigrate to Hong Kong with their spouses and children under the age of 18, but their parents and children over the age of 18 cannot accompany them.
Talent list
In order to facilitate applicants for the "Hong Kong Talent Scheme", "Hong Kong Talent Scheme" and "Entrepreneur Investment in Hong Kong", the Hong Kong Government established a "Talent List" in 2018 and revised it in 2025*. If the talent belongs to a profession or position with a local talent shortage listed in the "Talent List" with an annual salary of HK$2 million or more, the market supply test will be exempted and the employer will apply directly. Generally speaking, the academic qualifications required for these positions are no less than a bachelor's degree; the vacancies should be at "supervisory, managerial or professional level" with a monthly salary of more than HK$30,000.
Of course, entry into Hong Kong is not limited to positions on the "Talent List". If you are interested in learning more, it is recommended to contact Uni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultants.
Hong Kong Talent Scheme Benefits and Application Eligibility
The Hong Kong Talents Scheme was launched in 2003. The scheme includes the "General Employment Policy" applicable to overseas residents, and the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP)" applicable to mainland residents. They are two employment-linked schemes. To apply for the scheme, you must be hired by a local enterprise in Hong Kong. 1. Since the plan is tied to the job, if you want to change jobs, you need to get approval from the Immigration Department in advance. Therefore, it is recommended to look for a relatively stable large or international company to avoid affecting the application and future renewal.
From its launch at the end of 2022 to the end of June 2024, among the 35,537 applicants for the Mainland Talent Admission Scheme, 31,468 were successfully approved, with a success rate of 88.5%.
In addition, in order to cope with the manpower shortage in the local technical industry, the government will add new channels under the "General Employment Policy" and the "Mainland Talent Admission Scheme" to allow a certain number of young non-degree professionals with relevant professional and technical skills and experience to apply to come to Hong Kong. The purpose is to attract them to settle in Hong Kong for long-term development. The Hong Kong government stated that it hopes to launch it in 2025 after the relevant details are finalized.
Benefits of Hong Kong Talent Scheme
- The application process is fast: it usually takes 3 to 6 months to be approved, and it can be approved in as fast as 1 month.
- There is more room for job development and the opportunity to join a multinational company
- Personal income tax (salaries tax) is low, with a maximum of only 17%
- One person applies, with spouse and children accompanying him
- Spouses can work in Hong Kong and can change jobs freely without restrictions
- Children can receive education in Hong Kong, including public, private or international schools, with the same treatment as locals
- There are no birth restrictions. Children born in Hong Kong can obtain a Hong Kong ID card as soon as they are born.
- After 7 years, you can apply for the right of abode in Hong Kong according to law and receive a Hong Kong permanent residence ID card.
Hong Kong Talent Scheme Application Eligibility
- 18 years or older
- No criminal record
- You have been hired before applying, the job is related to your academic qualifications or work experience, and local people cannot be easily found.
- There is indeed a vacancy for this position
- Have good educational background, technical qualifications, proven professional abilities or documented experience and achievements
- Remuneration and benefits (including income, housing, medical care and other fringe benefits) are similar to those in the Hong Kong professional market
The above application qualifications are for reference only. In fact, they must be determined according to the individual and the market conditions at the time. If you want to know how to apply for the "Hong Kong Professionals Program" and fill in the ID990A form and other related procedures, please contact Uni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultant immediately.
Points system and pros and cons of the "Quality Talents Admission Scheme"
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) has been implemented since 2006. The Hong Kong government will regularly announce the list of Hong Kong Talents Scheme.
Hong Kong’s talent quota has been increasing year by year. The annual quota will be increased from 1,000 to 2,000 in 2020, and will be increased to 4,000 in 20213. Starting from 2023, Hong Kong will cancel the annual quota for a period of two years1. However, the success rate of approval for the Talents Program is low. The Hong Kong government stated that from the end of 2022 to February this year, the Talents Program received more than 160,000 applications, and only 27,437 were approved, with an approval rate of less than 20%. Since the Immigration Department keeps a record of the number of talents arriving in Hong Kong in 2023, there are currently 24,167 talents coming to Hong Kong, and 98% of the approved applications are mainly from the mainland.
The following is an introduction to the points system and pros and cons of the "Hong Kong Talent Scheme".
Points System and Qualifications of the "Quality Migrant Admission Scheme"
Excellent talents can be divided into "Comprehensive scoring system"and"achievement scoring system” Category 2, the former is suitable for high-tech talents or talents, while the latter is suitable for outstanding talents with outstanding achievements.
Both must meet the basic qualifications of age requirements (whether they are over 18 years old), financial requirements (no need to rely on public assistance), good character (no criminal record or bad immigration record), language proficiency (good writing and speaking skills in Chinese and English), and basic academic qualifications (usually a university degree) before they can be further scored by one of the two scoring systems.
Hong Kong Talent Scheme - Comprehensive Points System:
- Age: Those between 18 and 39 years old have the highest scores. The older you are, the lower your scores are. (It is recommended to be 50 years old or above, as 51 years old or above will get 0 points)
- Educational qualifications or professional qualifications: Doctoral degrees, master's degrees awarded by qualified professional bodies, undergraduate graduates with specific majors, and internationally recognized professional qualification certificates all have different bonus points, with special emphasis on prestigious school backgrounds and those related to "science", "technology", "engineering" or "mathematics".
- Work experience: The more work experience you have, the higher your score will be. In particular, working experience in multinational companies and well-known enterprises is more advantageous.
- Talent List*: The Hong Kong government will regularly update the talent list. If your major is on the talent list, you can get extra points.
- Language ability: written and spoken ability in Chinese, English and other foreign languages. Having IELTS or TOEFL scores can prove your English proficiency.
- Family background: The family members are Hong Kong permanent residents and the accompanying married spouse has a university degree or above.
- Income before application: HKD 1 million or above recommended.
- Business ownership: It is recommended to own a business entity with annual profits of HK$5 million or more or the equivalent in foreign currency in the year immediately preceding the application.
The "Comprehensive Points System" has an application eligibility threshold. Only applicants who meet 6 of the 12 assessment criteria can submit applications online.
Hong Kong Talents Scheme - Achievement Points System:
Examples of the "Excellent Talents Entry Scheme" that use the achievement points system include film and television stars and artists, including Li Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Hu Jun, Zhang Ziyi, Lang Lang, Tang Wei, Zhou Xun, Li Ning, Liu Xuan, O'Sullivan, etc. Applicants who have received outstanding achievement awards, such as Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes, national or international awards, etc., or who can prove that their work has been recognized by peers or have made significant contributions to the development of their industry (such as being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the industry), may choose to use the "Achievement Points System" for review. The "Achievement Points System" has two assessment criteria. If you meet one of the above requirements, you can get 245 points. If you fail to get points, your application will be immediately rejected by the Immigration Department.
The "Comprehensive Points System" is the main method for applying for the "Quality Migrant Entry Scheme". In 2021, among the 2,004 successful applicants, there were 1,979 applicants under the "Comprehensive Points System", while only 25 people applied under the "Achievement Points System".
Subsequently, the selection process of the "Quality Migrant Entry Scheme" will begin, and applications with higher scores will be selected for further evaluation. If approved, the applicant will be notified of the results of the Hong Kong Talents Program and a visa or entry permit to stay in Hong Kong will be issued in the form of an "electronic visa".
If you want to know how to apply for the details of the selection process and related procedures of the "Quality Migrant Entry Scheme" to immigrate to Hong Kong, please contact us nowcontactHong Kong Immigration Consultants at Uni Immigration.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Excellent Talents Entry Program
Quality Migrant Entry Scheme or benefits of immigrating to Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Talent Scheme is suitable for talents from all walks of life
- Hong Kong is an international financial center
- Hong Kong is a low-tax paradise
- Hong Kong has world-class education and medical standards
- The Hong Kong passport is globally accepted and is visa-free for 173 countries and regions.
*Applying for the Hong Kong Talents Program is difficult and is best left to immigration experts.
Introduction to entrepreneurs investing in Hong Kong
"Entrepreneurs investing in Hong Kong" is not applicable to Chinese residents from the Mainland, and nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, Nepal and Vietnam. Chinese citizens holding a passport of the People's Republic of China and living overseas must meet the following conditions: the applicant has permanent resident status overseas and has lived overseas for no less than one year immediately before the application, and submits the application from overseas.
Qualifications for entrepreneurs to invest in Hong Kong
- Application rejected without security reasons
- The applicant has no criminal record
- Good educational background, technical qualifications or proven professional experience
- business plan
- turnover
- financial resources
- Investment amount
- Number of jobs created locally
- Introduced new technologies or skills
- Start-ups participating in government support programs
In addition to the Talent Scheme, Talent Scheme and Entrepreneur Investment in Hong Kong, Hong Kong also has "High-end talent pass plan”, “Program for the Admission of the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents”, “Technology Talent Entry Scheme”, “Employment Arrangements for Non-local Graduates to Stay in/Return to Hong Kong”, etc.
Different people are suitable for different plans. Regarding immigrating to or working in Hong Kong, please contact us immediatelycontactUni Immigration's Hong Kong immigration consultants learn more and develop a personalized plan to settle or work in Hong Kong.
＊「Talent list"Currently covering 60 majors in 9 industry areas, including "Business Support", "Environmental Technical Services", "Development and Construction", "Creative Industries, Arts and Culture, Performing Arts", "Medical Services", "Financial Services", "Legal and Dispute Resolution Services", "Innovative Technology", "Aviation and Shipping". The "Talent List" will be updated regularly, please pay close attention.
References:
1. Introduction to the Talents, Professionals and Entrepreneurs Entry Scheme | Immigration Department
2. Immigration Department Annual Report 2023
3. LCQ9: Talent recruitment plan