HK$20K bonus per baby: Could talent scheme families soon qualify?

HK$20,000 baby bonus could expand to attract skilled migrants

Hong Kong is mulling to expand the HK$20,000 newborn baby bonus handout to cover families under its talent schemes, according to Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han.

Since the 2023 launch of the scheme that aimed to boost the city’s fertility rate, the government has handed out around HK$979 million in bonuses to 48,984 eligible parents, Sun said in a written reply to lawmaker Jesse Shang Hailong’s question.

Current baby bonus scheme: Eligibility, benefits

The bonus scheme allows eligible parents to apply for a cash reward of HK$20,000 for each baby born from October 25, 2023 while registering their baby's birth and applying for a birth certificate.

Shang asked authorities whether they would consider allowing "top talent," "quality migrants," and "professionals" admitted under various talent admission schemes to apply for the newborn baby bonus.

Government review underway, expansion possible: Labor chief

In response, Sun revealed that the Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration is carrying out a review of the scheme.

“In the review, suggestions which have been raised in the community, including whether to cover families under different talent schemes, will be considered,” he said.

(Jamie Liu)