Lawmakers welcome new measures to streamline Technology Talent Admission Scheme

Lawmakers have welcomed the government’s new measures to streamline and accelerate the application process for the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, noting that these changes could enhance the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) workforce. 

The positive response follows the Innovation and Technology Commission's announcement of three key enhancements: allowing simultaneous submissions of quota and visa/entry permit applications by eligible companies and talent; removing the requirement for admitted talent to work in R&D within 14 designated technology fields; and establishing a dedicated application channel for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP).

Election Committee legislator Jesse Shang Hailong criticized the scheme's past ineffectiveness, pointing out that it was originally designed to attract 10,000 individuals annually to Hong Kong. 

Yet since its launch in June 2018, fewer than 1,000 applications have been received, making it far less appealing than schemes like the Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.

While recognizing disruptions from the 2019 political protests and the subsequent pandemic, Shang emphasized that the scheme faced challenges even before these events due to restrictive criteria. 

These include limiting eligibility to tenants of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Cyberport, requiring companies to hire local residents for every admitted talent, and mandating quota applications before admission submissions—all of which have limited participation.

He expressed hope that the government will actively promote the attraction of more international professionals in the future, as over 80 percent of those admitted through the scheme have come from the mainland. 

Shang believes the new measures will encourage investment and bolster development of the HSITP.

However, he voiced concerns that removing the specific technology field requirement might increase scrutiny on companies in the HSITP, potentially allowing some to pose as legitimate tech firms while serving as intermediaries to secure Hong Kong residency for others.

Meanwhile, William Wong Kam-fai noted that companies focused on “AI+” applications—particularly those integrating AI with sectors like animation—will now qualify for the scheme after the removal of previous restrictions. 

This expansion is expected to benefit a wide range of industries seeking to adopt diverse “AI+” services moving forward.