Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme is expanding to include more universities, with nine mainland institutions and four overseas universities being added to the list. This brings the total number of eligible universities to 198.
The new mainland universities included in the scheme are Sichuan University, Beihang University, Southeast University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, and Tianjin University. On the other hand, the overseas universities now part of the scheme are the Royal College of Art, University of the Arts London, Parsons School of Design, The New School, and Rhode Island School of Design.
The Labour Bureau has announced that the complete list of universities covered by the Top Talent Pass Scheme will be reviewed and updated in January, as eligibility is based on world rankings which are subject to change. The first batch of individuals under the scheme will have their visas expire in the first quarter of the upcoming year.
To streamline the visa renewal process, the Immigration Department is advancing the application period from four weeks before expiry to three months. Secretary for Labour Chris Sun mentioned that extension approvals will take into account factors such as the applicant’s income, tax contributions, and duration of stay in Hong Kong.
Moreover, Category A applicants of the scheme, who must have had an annual income of at least HK$2.5 million before applying, will now have their initial visa validity extended to three years instead of two. The Labour Bureau noted that Category A applicants tend to have higher employment rates in Hong Kong compared to other applicants, and the longer visa validity aims to encourage them to settle in the SAR with their families.
These changes in the Top Talent Pass Scheme reflect Hong Kong’s efforts to attract and retain top talent from both mainland China and overseas. By expanding the list of eligible universities and offering extended visa validity periods, the city aims to bolster its position as a hub for skilled professionals and innovators in various fields. The updates also demonstrate the government’s commitment to facilitating the entry and integration of highly qualified individuals who can contribute to Hong Kong’s economy and society.
