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Paul Yip

The Top Talent Pass Scheme is a well-intentioned and much-needed scheme to meet the challenge posed by the trend of outward migration that Hong Kong has seen in recent years. It is designed to enrich the city’s human capital – especially in the field of innovation and technology – and enhance its overall economic competitiveness.
Reflecting the government’s resolve to attract talent, the scheme is highly applicant-friendly. It represents a kind of “open door policy” for immigration.
The government has moved to fast-track immigration for talented professionals through other efforts as well. Since 2022, the city has received 500,000 applications under various talent admission schemes. It has approved 330,000 of them; 220,000 applicants have arrived.
Hong Kong clearly wants to entice qualified applicants to arrive as soon as possible and let them know that the city welcomes them with open arms. The scheme has opened the floodgates to immigration and has become a strong magnet, drawing a large number of talented professionals from mainland China.
Given the mainland’s relatively subdued economic growth, Hong Kong has become an attractive alternative for young professionals. This explains why the number of applicants has exceeded the originally announced target.


However, the city’s talent drive has also unfortunately created a rare opportunity for unscrupulous immigration consultants providing illegal “one-stop services” for people seeking Hong Kong residency, essentially charging lucrative fees to forge academic qualifications and employment records. The immigration department recently uncovered one such cross-border syndicate.
Another problem is the mismatch in expectations when it comes to Hong Kong’s talent admission policies. The city’s development in innovation and technology is still very much in its infancy. As such, there is likely to be a limited number of jobs available for incoming talent. This, paired with a lack of support measures, means that talent who arrive in Hong Kong will naturally be frustrated by the lack of suitable opportunities.
The Top Talent Pass Scheme is an important policy initiative in the right direction, but is prone to abuse. The government must tackle the issue of possible abuse of its talent programmes firmly and expeditiously, with swift action taken against criminal syndicates and those who use their services to illegally gain entry to Hong Kong.
The law in these cases is rigorous. Making, possessing or using false documents is punishable by up to 14 years behind bars. Those making a false representation to an immigration officer can face 14 years in prison as well as a maximum fine of HK$150,000. The same penalties apply to those aiding and abetting in these offences.
Visas, entry permits and right of abode found to have been obtained illegally will be declared null and void, and the person possessing them will be sent back to their place of origin.
The government must adopt a zero-tolerance and no-nonsense approach in this regard. If Hong Kong is to contribute to the mainland’s development, it must protect its image.

Hong Kong should opt for a thorough recalibration or re-engineering of the Top Talent Pass Scheme to reduce a mismatch of expectations, which could sow the seeds of social tensions. Stringent screening of all applications, strict law enforcement, close monitoring, surveillance, verification and examination of all cases seeking admission and extension of stay after an initial grace period along with extensive public accountability should help anchor the scheme on a sound footing.
In addition to plugging all loopholes that can be exploited by criminals, Hong Kong must make every effort to foster its innovation and technology sectors. This will help generate job opportunities for genuinely talented individuals from Hong Kong and around the world.
The Top Talent Pass Scheme must not be allowed to devolve into a breeding ground for troublemakers and misfits who game the system. Hong Kong needs the best and brightest from around the world to increase and replenish our human capital, fuel our economic development and enhance our competitiveness, not to take job opportunities away from home-grown talent. We must not allow Hong Kong to end up as a haven for fake talent, effectively making a mockery of the government’s talent admission drive.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong government should retain non-local top talent. It would defeat the purpose of the scheme if incoming professionals only treat Hong Kong as a stepping stone to greener pastures elsewhere. In parallel, every effort should be made to nurture our home-grown talent and keep them here as well as to foster upward social mobility. The city must implement an even-handed and two-pronged strategy.
There is no room for sloppy thinking and no short cut to paradise. Hong Kong does need foreign talent, but it must attract these professionals prudently. The city must enable a win-win scenario for incoming talent and the local community.


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong needs real talent, not troublemakers and misfits

Pedestrians cross a road in Central on February 26. Photo: Eugene Lee

Mainland professionals conduct interviews with recruiters at the Hong Kong Top Talent Recruitment Autumn Fair 2024 in Tsim Sha Tsui, on November 8, 2024. Photo: Fan Chen

Hong Kong must fix talent scheme as mainland Chinese ‘exam immigrants’ draw ire

The Hong Kong skyline at dusk on June 28. The city’s talent schemes give people who would like to give our city a try flexibility and convenience. But vetting and enforcement are crucial to counter exploitation. Photo: Reuters

Students sit for the Chinese language paper in last year’s DSE exams, on April 11. Photo: Handout

Only ‘small minority’ exploit Hong Kong’s talent schemes: city’s No 2 official

Recruiters at the Hong Kong Top Talent Recruitment Autumn Fair in Tsim Sha Tsui, held in November last year. Photo: Fan Chen

Chief Secretary Eric Chan says those who move to the city to give birth without intending to work will be in violation of the law. Photo: Eugene Lee

13 mainland Chinese applicants to Hong Kong talent scheme among 18 held over forgeries

Some of the forged documents displayed as evidence. Authorities estimate that the group has worked on at least 22 talent scheme applications. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong to consider giving baby bonuses to talent scheme parents

A race for toddlers is held at the 8th Children’s Book Fair & Super Parents & Kids Expo at Asia World Expo. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s welfare minister has said more than HK$900 million in baby bonuses have been given out to encourage childbearing since 2023. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Will Hong Kong government’s more hands-on approach to development pay off?

The San Tin Technopole, which is part of the Hong Kong government’s Northern Metropolis project, on February 27. Photo: May Tse

Financial secretary Donald Tsang (left) is helped by his assistants as he shows copies of Hong Kong’s 2000-2001 budget to the press on March 7, 2000. Photo: Dustin Shum

Dozens of jewellery exhibitors link up a 1,200-metre-long string of gemstones and pearls in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record at the Hong Kong Airport International Jewellery Show at AsiaWorld-Expo on February 28, 2008. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Visitors take pictures with the fountain outside Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on February 25. Photo: Elson Li

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The city should recalibrate its talent admission policies to ensure they attract the best and brightest and can’t be exploited by bad actors


The city should recalibrate its talent admission policies to ensure they attract the best and brightest and can’t be exploited by bad actors.


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Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Hong Kong needs real talent, not troublemakers and misfits

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The city should recalibrate its talent admission policies to ensure they attract the best and brightest and can’t be exploited by bad actors

The city should recalibrate its talent admission policies to ensure they attract the best and brightest and can’t be exploited by bad actors