- 2023-02-20
- Category: Blogs
Hong Kong Admission Schemes – Working as a Foreigner
If you’re interested in working in a bustling city while also having an outstanding quality of work-life balance, Hong Kong may be the ideal destination for you. With its simple tax regime, diversified economic environment, liberal immigration policies, and thriving expat community, Hong Kong has long been considered the premier business hub in Asia, offering a wealth of career opportunities for skilled professionals from all around the world. Read on to find out which admission scheme will best suit your area of expertise if you intend to begin a new chapter in the city that never sleeps.
Talent List
There are currently 13 professions in high demand in Hong Kong under the Talent List. If you possess special skills, knowledge, and work experience in the following field, you can take advantage of various admission schemes instead of applying for a work visa the traditional way. These professions include:
- Professionals in compliance in asset management
- Financial professionals in environmental, social and governance (ESG)
- Water treatment specialists
- Asset management professionals
- Marine insurance professionals
- Actuaries
- Fintech professionals
- Data scientists & cyber security specialists
- Innovation and technology experts
- Naval architects
- Marine engineers & superintendents of ships
- Creative industries and performing arts professionals
- Dispute resolution professionals & transactional lawyers
Applicants with relevant academic background and work experience will be eligible for applying immigration through the General Employment Policy (GEP), the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), and the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS).
QMAS
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is in place to attract talented people, including skilled professionals and entrepreneurs from mainland China and overseas, to settle in Hong Kong to drive the city’s economic competitiveness. Successful applicants are free to enter Hong Kong without securing a job offer, making this an excellent choice for people who want greater flexibility.
This scheme is still highly competitive even though the quota has been raised to 4000 per year, so be sure to apply early if you want to settle in Hong Kong through this route. You will need to provide documentary proof of your qualification and experience for the respective profession on the list.
ASMTP
Similar to QMAS, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) aims to attract qualified professionals from mainland China to work in Hong Kong in order to meet the ever-growing need of the labor market.
Since there’s no quota or required sector associated with this program, it offers a more flexible and tolerable option for talented professionals from mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau. If you are interested in learning more about this scheme, please check out our requirements for ASMTP here. (Please link the ASMTP blog here)
TechTAS
IT professionals are one of the most in-demand roles in the world, and Hong Kong is no exception. The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) offers a special fast-track arrangement for qualified companies to recruit IT professionals from overseas and mainland China to undertake research and development (R&D) work.
Eligible companies in these 13 areas can apply for an admission quota, and then sponsor the candidate’s employment visa and entry permit. Successful applicants under TechTAS will be granted an initial stay of 36 months in Hong Kong, making it one of the most popular choices among IT professionals in comparison to other admission schemes.
GEP
For other professionals with good academic qualifications and work experience in the relevant field, they could all apply for a work permit in Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy (GEP). Professionals under this scheme will be offered a comprehensive remuneration package, including salary income, benefits, medical insurance, and accommodation.
On the other hand, companies need proof that there is a genuine need for the position which cannot be readily taken up by the local workforce, allowing the company to absorb international knowledge that is not already available (or in shortage) locally.
How can FastLaneHR Help?
Hong Kong is one of the most recognizable commercial and financial hubs in the world, which offers an abundance of career opportunities for skilled professionals from all walks of life. Not only working in Hong Kong will enrich your resume, you can also benefit from its low tax rate to save your earnings.
At FastLane HR, we have extensive experience in helping clients to apply for work visa and work permit in Asian countries including Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, and Taiwan. If you would like to find out how you can apply for Hong Kong’s talent admission scheme, please don’t hesitate to send us a message and see how we can help.