
The Hong Kong government is actively recruiting global talent while promoting economic and social development. The 2024 Policy Address has proposed several significant reforms to the High Talent Pass Scheme and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, aimed at further attracting talent that meets Hong Kong's development needs, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitive advantage globally and consolidating its multiple positions internationally.
Optimizations to the High Talent Pass Scheme
13 New Top Universities Added
Among the newly added universities, 9 are from mainland China, including Sichuan University, Beihang University, Southeast University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, and Tianjin University. Additionally, 4 top international institutions have been included: the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, Parsons School of Design, and Rhode Island School of Design.
Extension of First Visa Duration for Category A Talent to 3 Years
For Category A talent under the High Talent Pass Scheme (individuals with an annual income of HKD 2.5 million or above), the initial visa duration has been extended from 2 years to 3 years. This new measure also applies to approximately 21,000 Category A talents who were approved before the announcement of this year’s Policy Address.
Renewal Application 3 Months Before Visa Expiration
To further simplify administrative procedures, the Immigration Department has launched an online renewal application platform, allowing applicants to submit renewal requests 3 months before their visa expires. If the applicant has received a job offer or is engaged in business, they can be granted a visa for up to 3 years.
Optimizations to the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
Simplification of the Points System

The government has introduced an assessment questionnaire system to replace the traditional item-by-item scoring method. The new assessment questionnaire includes 12 criteria covering six major areas: age, educational background, language proficiency, work experience, income, and business ownership. Applicants must meet at least 6 criteria to advance to the next round of selection.
Improving Efficiency
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Sun Yuhan stated that the original points system and selection process were cumbersome, often resulting in long waiting times for applicants. By introducing this more straightforward questionnaire-based screening method, the government hopes to effectively improve processing efficiency and reduce unnecessary delays in the talent introduction process. For example, under the previous scoring system, younger applicants received higher scores, but now, applicants aged 50 or below will receive points.
Conclusion
These reforms not only make the overall application process clearer and more transparent but also allow various types of quality talent to apply more easily based on their strengths, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in attracting high-end global talent.
If you are considering applying for the High Talent Pass Scheme or the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, please contact Oceanus Strategic. We will publish more interesting articles in the future, so stay tuned.
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