The Innovation and Technology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the 8th that, to meet the talent acquisition needs of the innovation and technology industry, it will launch a three-year "Technology Talent Admission Scheme" on a pilot basis. This scheme aims to rapidly recruit technology talent in short supply in Hong Kong from overseas and the Mainland. A maximum of 1,000 people will be admitted in the first year of operation, with each company allowed to apply for up to 100 quotas. Applications are expected to be accepted starting this June.
This scheme will initially apply to tenants and incubatees of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Cyberport who are engaged in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, data analytics, financial technology, and material science.
Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Nicholas Yang, said on May 8: "The wave of innovation and technology is sweeping the globe, and talent is the key to success in developing innovation and technology. Hong Kong must facilitate the industry in obtaining the necessary technology talent through policy. The Chief Executive proposed in the Policy Address to strengthen innovation and technology development in eight directions, and gathering technology talent is one of them. The scheme launched this time significantly simplifies the procedures and reduces the time required for applying for technology talent entry. It will effectively help technology companies/institutions recruit technology talent that is lacking locally from overseas and the Mainland, playing a significant role in promoting the development of innovation and technology."
During the quota application stage, the applying technology company/institution must prove to the Innovation and Technology Commission that there is a shortage of talent with relevant skills, knowledge, or experience in Hong Kong, or that such talent cannot be easily found. This arrangement not only protects employment opportunities for local residents but also spares the applying company/institution from having to repeatedly prove local talent shortages for each case, allowing the required talent to be in place as quickly as possible. Successfully approved technology companies/institutions can receive a quota of no more than 100 people per year.
Nicholas Yang said: "By issuing quotas, the scheme provides certainty to technology companies/institutions, allowing them to proceed with recruitment and business planning promptly. The scheme also promotes the cultivation of local technology talent. The scheme stipulates that for every three non-local persons hired, the applying technology company/institution must hire one local full-time employee and two local interns. All these local employees must be assigned to work in technology-related roles."
The Innovation and Technology Commission will decide whether to issue a quota to the applying technology company/institution after considering the views of HKSTP/Cyberport. If the information submitted by the latter to HKSTP/Cyberport is complete, the goal is to complete the approval process within two weeks. Once a quota is granted, the technology company/institution can submit an application for a work visa/entry permit to the Immigration Department after finding a candidate who meets the requirements described in the quota (including main duties, academic requirements, professional skills, relevant experience, and salary and benefits). Once complete documents are submitted, such applications generally take about two weeks to process.
Persons coming to Hong Kong under the scheme must hold:
A degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) awarded by a highly recognized university, i.e., a degree awarded by one of the top 100 universities related to STEM in the "QS World University Rankings," "Times Higher Education World University Rankings," and "Academic Ranking of World Universities";
Those holding a master's or doctoral degree do not require work experience, while those holding a bachelor's degree must have at least one year of work experience in a relevant technology field.
It is reported that the Innovation and Technology Commission will brief tenants and incubatees of HKSTP and Cyberport on the scheme from late May to mid-June, with the goal of starting to accept applications within June 2018.
For details, please consult: 400-138-2929 (Mainland)/(852)2802 8798 (Hong Kong)