Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

Introduction to the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

Program Overview

The Scheme aims to attract some Mainland professionals with recognised qualifications to work in Hong Kong so as to meet Hong Kong's talent needs and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the international market.

These Mainland talents must possess professional knowledge and skills that are lacking or cannot be readily provided in Hong Kong. The imported talents must be able to contribute to the daily operations of local enterprises and related industries in order to promote the economic development of Hong Kong. The scheme is also applicable to the importation of outstanding talents and professionals in the arts, culture, sports and even catering industries to consolidate Hong Kong's status as Asia's world city.

The program is quota-free and non-industry specific, and talent and professional admissions are adjusted based on local labor demand.

The documents required for applying for the Mainland Talents and Professionals Scheme are similar to those for applying for a general work visa. The scheme also allows applicants to bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18, who are called "dependants". If the applicant and his/her dependants have lived in Hong Kong for seven years, they may apply for Hong Kong right of abode.

Eligibility

Mainland Chinese residents who possess special skills, knowledge, qualifications or relevant work experience that the Hong Kong SAR needs but lacks
There are no security reasons for refusing the application and the applicant does not have any known serious criminal record
Applicants with a good educational background, usually a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, but in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional ability and/or documented relevant experience and achievements may also be accepted
There is indeed a vacancy for this position
Applicants must have been hired for a job that is relevant to their education or work experience and cannot be easily filled by locals.
The remuneration and benefits (including income, housing, medical care and other fringe benefits) must be roughly the same as the market remuneration and benefits of local professionals at that time

Global migration Service

Follow up the applicant's case throughout the process

Provide professional evaluation and consulting services based on customer information
Prepare a unique document checklist for you and your employer
Complete all necessary Hong Kong Immigration Department forms for you
Review and organize your documents according to Hong Kong Immigration Department policy
Submit your application to the Immigration Department
Respond to all immigration enquiries and notifications on your behalf
Prepare and draft all necessary correspondence and documents for submission to the Immigration Department
Monitoring application process
Keep you updated on the progress of your application
Collect your visa and send it back to you
Assist you in applying for your spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 to come to Hong Kong
Assist you in applying for extension of stay to work in Hong Kong
If the client has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years, we can assist the client in applying for the right of abode in Hong Kong
There is an immigration hotline where immigration consultants can answer your questions immediately
Real-time online enquiry is available 24 hours a day through this website

Application Procedure

Application Procedures for the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

Enquiries on visa application for the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals
Suggest you different options and their likelihood of success
Sign an agency contract with you and pay the fees
Create a unique document checklist for your application
Complete immigration forms, draft documents and correspondence for you
Check the completed document to ensure it is correct
Submit your visa application to the Immigration Department
Keep in touch with the Immigration Department and follow up on the progress of your application
Collect your visa and deliver it to you
Provide information on how to obtain a Hong Kong Identity Card

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to apply for admission of Mainland talents?

A: Generally speaking, the Hong Kong Immigration Department can complete the application process within four weeks after the employing company submits all the required documents.

Before setting up a company in Hong Kong, can a Mainland enterprise submit an application for the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals" in the name of the Mainland enterprise?

Answer: Application for the “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” must be submitted by the employer, and the employer must be a locally registered company.

My company is newly established and therefore cannot produce documents such as annual reports or performance reports. What documents should the company provide to prove the need to import Mainland talents as advance personnel to assist the Hong Kong company in developing its business?

A: In addition to submitting the completed application form, you are required to provide your business development plan and related documents. If you can prove that the scheme can promote the long-term development of Hong Kong's economy and create local employment opportunities, and the recruited advance workers meet the approval criteria of the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", they may be allowed to come to Hong Kong for short-term work. After the company has implemented its business plan, if the relevant personnel still meet the approval requirements of the plan, they may be allowed to extend their stay in Hong Kong to handle the company's business.

How long does the business development plan that a newly established company in Hong Kong is required to provide under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals need to cover?

Answer: There is no rigid requirement on the period of time required for the business development plan provided under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. However, the plan must show that the company will make long-term investments and commitments in developing its business in Hong Kong.

I am a private entrepreneur from the Mainland and have set up a company in Hong Kong. I need to come to Hong Kong to participate in the company's business and daily operations. Can I apply to come to Hong Kong to work under the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals"?

A: If you meet the approval criteria for the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", you can apply through the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals" to come to Hong Kong to participate in the operation of the company. The Hong Kong Immigration Department will process your application to come and work in Hong Kong according to the eligibility criteria of the Scheme. Although you are the owner of the company concerned, you still need to meet the eligibility criteria under the Scheme before you can come to Hong Kong to work.

After the application is approved, how can the Mainland employee come to Hong Kong?

A: The Hong Kong Immigration Department will issue an entry permit tag. The employed person can use the label to apply to the public security organ of his/her place of residence in the Mainland for the issuance of a private "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and relevant endorsements for travel to Hong Kong, and then affix the label to the blank endorsement page of the "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau". Upon arrival in Hong Kong, he/she must present the "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and relevant endorsements for travel to Hong Kong to the staff of the Hong Kong Immigration Department to go through entry procedures.

If the employed person holds a passport of the People's Republic of China, can he/she affix the above-mentioned entry permit label on the blank visa page of the passport without having to apply for a private "Hong Kong and Macau Pass" and related entry endorsements to Hong Kong?

Answer: If the person hired comes to work in Hong Kong under the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", he/she must apply to the public security authority in the place where his/her mainland household registration is located for the issuance of a private "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and the relevant entry permit for travel to Hong Kong, and then affix the entry permit label on the blank endorsement page of the "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" instead of on the passport.

I am currently working in Hong Kong holding a "Permit for Travelling to and from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions for Official Purposes". If I am allowed to work in Hong Kong under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, can I use the pass instead of returning to the Mainland to apply for a "Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau"?

Answer: If you come to Hong Kong to work under the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", you must apply to the public security authority in the place where your Mainland household registration is located for the issuance of a private "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and the relevant endorsement for travel to Hong Kong, and then affix the label to the blank endorsement page of the "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau". Upon arrival in Hong Kong, you must present the "Passport for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and the relevant endorsement for travel to Hong Kong to the Hong Kong Immigration Department staff to go through the entry procedures. Mainland residents currently working in Hong Kong holding a "Pass for Official Travel to and from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions" must first return to the Mainland to apply for a "Pass for Official Travel to and from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions" and the relevant entry endorsement before they can come to Hong Kong to work if they are approved to come to Hong Kong to work through the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals".

I am a Mainlander who comes to work in Hong Kong under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. During my stay in Hong Kong, I need to travel overseas on business or for pleasure. Can I use my passport of the People's Republic of China?

A: If you want to travel abroad, you should use the passport of the People's Republic of China and a valid visa issued by the relevant foreign authorities. However, you must use your Hong Kong and Macau Pass and Hong Kong Resident Identity Card when entering and leaving Hong Kong.

Are there any specific arrangements to allow Mainland executives to come to Hong Kong for a short period of time to prepare for the establishment of a company? Can the personnel concerned be transferred to long-term employment afterwards?

Answer: Mainland business personnel can come to Hong Kong with a "business visa" to prepare for the establishment of a company. Mainland residents holding a "business visa" are not allowed to engage in any paid or unpaid employment. Therefore, if Mainlanders wish to work in Hong Kong, they should apply through the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. Once the company is established in Hong Kong, relevant personnel can come to Hong Kong to work and develop the company's business under the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals". After the company has implemented its business plan, if the relevant personnel still meet the approval requirements of the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", they may be allowed to extend their stay in Hong Kong.

Can Mainland residents come to Hong Kong with a "Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao" and a "Business Endorsement" to participate in the daily operations and business activities of Hong Kong companies?

Answer: Mainland residents holding a "Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau" and a "Business Visa" may be allowed to enter as visitors. People entering as visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid or unpaid employment. If Mainlanders wish to work in Hong Kong, they should apply through the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. Generally speaking, any person may carry out the following business activities during his/her stay in Hong Kong as a visitor: signing contracts or participating in tenders or bids; inspecting goods or supervising the installation of equipment; participating in exhibitions and trade fairs (but not including direct sales of goods or direct provision of services to the public); resolving claims or conducting civil litigation; engaging in business or technological inspections upon invitation; and participating in short-term seminars or other meetings.

I am approved to work in Hong Kong under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. Can my spouse and children accompany me to reside in Hong Kong?

A: If you are allowed to work in Hong Kong under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, your spouse and unmarried and dependent children under the age of 18 can apply to reside in Hong Kong as "dependants". In this regard, you must prove that you can provide your dependants with living conditions in Hong Kong that are significantly above the basic standard and provide them with appropriate accommodation.

What are the main reasons for rejection of applications to import mainland talents?

Answer: The main reason for the application being rejected is that the applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria for the "Mainland Talents and Professionals Scheme". For example, the employing company cannot prove that the applicant has the knowledge, skills or relevant work experience that are not available in Hong Kong; or the employing company offers the applicant a salary and benefits that are lower than the local market level.

I am a private entrepreneur from the Mainland. I have set up a company in Hong Kong to expand my business. If my company needs to deploy corporate management or professionals from the Mainland to Hong Kong to assist the Hong Kong company in conducting its business, how can I submit an application?

A: You can apply to transfer corporate managers or professionals from the Mainland to work in Hong Kong through the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals or the Intra-Company Transfer Arrangement.

My company in Hong Kong is not currently operating and I need to send staff from my Mainland headquarters to Hong Kong to set up an office and recruit local staff to start business. Can I apply under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals?

Answer: If the Mainland personnel you import meet the approval criteria for the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals", you can apply for the required Mainland management and professional personnel to come to Hong Kong to set up offices and recruit local employees through the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals" or the related "Intra-Company Transfer Arrangements".

I have been working in Hong Kong for three years under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. How can I be eligible to apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?

Answer: Persons who come to Hong Kong for employment under the "Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals" may apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law if they have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years.