The Innovation and Technology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the 8th that, to meet the needs of the innovation and technology industry in attracting talent, it will launch a three-year pilot 'Technology Talent Admission Scheme'. This scheme is designed to rapidly recruit technology talent in short supply in Hong Kong from overseas and Mainland China. In the first year of operation, a maximum of 1,000 people can be admitted, with each company allowed to apply for up to 100 quotas. Applications are expected to be accepted starting from June this year.
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 in developing innovation and technology, talent is the key to success. Hong Kong must facilitate the industry in obtaining necessary technology talent through policy. The Chief Executive proposed eight directions to strengthen innovation and technology development in her Policy Address, and bringing together technology talent is one of them. The launch of this scheme significantly simplifies the procedures and reduces the time required for applying for the entry of technology talent. It will effectively help technology companies/institutions recruit technology talent in short supply locally from overseas and the Mainland, which is of great significance to promoting the development of innovation and technology.'
During the quota application stage, the applying technology company/institution must demonstrate 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 sourced. This arrangement not only safeguards the employment opportunities of local people but also avoids the need for the applying company/institution to repeatedly prove the local shortage of such talent for each case, allowing the required talent to arrive and work under a fast-track arrangement. Successful technology companies/institutions can receive a quota of up to 100 people per year.
Mr. Yang said: 'By issuing quotas, the scheme provides certainty to technology companies/institutions, allowing them to proceed with recruitment and make business plans promptly. The scheme also promotes the cultivation of local technology talent. The program requires that for every three non-local persons employed, the applying technology company/institution must hire one local full-time employee and two local interns. All these local employees must be arranged to engage in work related to technology.'
The Innovation and Technology Commission, after considering the views of HKSTP/Cyberport, will decide whether to issue a quota to the applying technology company/institution. If the latter submits complete information to HKSTP/Cyberport, the goal is to complete the approval within two weeks. Once a quota is granted, and after the technology company/institution has identified a candidate whose qualifications match the requirements stipulated in the quota (including main duties, academic requirements, professional skills, relevant experience, and remuneration/benefits), it can submit an application for an employment visa/entry permit to the Immigration Department for that person. Processing such applications generally takes about two weeks after all necessary documents are submitted.
Persons coming to Hong Kong through the scheme must possess:
A degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a prestigious university, i.e., qualifications from the top 100 universities related to STEM according to the 'QS World University Rankings,' the 'Times Higher Education World University Rankings,' and the 'Academic Ranking of World Universities';
Holders of a master's or doctoral degree are not required to have work experience, while holders of a bachelor's degree must have at least one year of work experience in the relevant technology field.
It is reported that the Innovation and Technology Commission will brief HKSTP and Cyberport tenants and incubatees on the scheme from late May to mid-June, with the goal of accepting applications within June 2018.
For details, please contact: 400-138-2929 (Mainland China)/(852) 2802 8798 (Hong Kong)