‘The more, the better’: Hong Kong won’t cap talent scheme passes, labour chief says

The Hong Kong government has decided not to set a cap on the number of admissions under its talent schemes, according to Labour Minister Chris Sun Yuk-han. Speaking after a five-day visit to the city, Sun said "the more, the better" in terms of welcoming skilled workers, despite rising concerns about the city's ability to absorb the influx.

The Labour and Welfare Bureau's delegation of 20 overseas tech specialists, organized by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), concluded their tour of Hong Kong, Qianhai in Shenzhen and Nansha in Guangzhou on Monday. They spent time visiting major tech hubs, meeting local research institutes, enterprises and start-ups, and exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, smart transport and biotechnology.

Sun's comments come amid observations about the potential strain on Hong Kong's population if the city cannot accommodate a large number of non-local talent. The government has since 2022 rolled out a range of talent schemes, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme for top earners and graduates, the points-based Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and channels for professionals with job offers and technology specialists.

Since 2023, 126,942 applications have been approved for these schemes, with 94.5% or 120,009 coming from mainland China.