Expanded talent list aimed at luring 35,000 recruits a year

Authorities want to lure 35,000 talented people to the city every year by drastically expanding Hong Kong's talent list to 51 professions so companies can hire nonlocals without explaining why they are chosen over local candidates.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said yesterday the list - established in 2018 and last reviewed in 2021 - will be extended to 13 medical professions, including doctors, dentists and nurses, as well as construction-related fields with surveyors and civil and electronic engineers.

Sun said he is confident it would attract overseas professionals to work in Hong Kong, while reaffirming the SAR's goal listed in October's policy address to attract at least 35,000 people each year until 2025. They are expected to stay in Hong Kong at least for 12 months.

The talent list targets professionals who have at least a bachelor's degree.

"To be qualified as a talent, one will need to be at least a university graduate. Therefore, when you look at the two newly added industries - health care and construction - we are requiring applicants to have relevant academic qualifications and a certain amount of working experience," he said. "We are adding the health-care industry to the list upon the suggestion of the Health Bureau. We would like to show our determination."

The 51 professions on the new list cover nine areas: business support, creative industry, development and construction, environment, financial services, health care, IT, and legal and marine services.

The list is effective immediately and applies to three programs: Great Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.

Under the first two schemes, employers who wish to hire overseas talent on the list can be exempted from taking a market availability test, so they no longer need to provide proof of difficulties in local recruitment.

Qualified applicants under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme who fall within the talent list can get an additional 30 points under the scoring system. Sun said applicants in health-care industries will still need to meet requirements before joining the workforce, such as passing licensing exams.

Human resources consultant Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung said an acute manpower shortage at management levels is seen in all industries and authorities should also consider enhancing other supporting facilities, such as living costs.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com