Recently, many friends are consulting on the difference between Hong Kong talents and Hong Kong specialists. Today, let’s talk to you about the difference between these two ways to obtain Hong Kong identities and how to choose.
Hong Kong Talent Program : full name " Excellent Talent Entry Plan ", is an immigration absorption plan with quota started to be implemented by the Hong Kong government in 2006. It aims to attract high-tech talents in or talented talents in to settle in Hong Kong, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness.
Hong Kong Specialist Program: full name "Hong Kong Import Mainland Talent Program", which aims to attract outstanding talents from mainland China or professional talents from with recognized qualifications to settle in Hong Kong, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in the global market. These mainland talents must have the professional knowledge and skills that Hong Kong locals lack or cannot provide in a timely manner.
Specialists can be understood as a work visa in Hong Kong. The main purpose of talents and specialists is to attract outstanding talents to settle in Hong Kong. How to choose
can be found in the following five situations.
1. From the application conditions,
1. Application conditions for Hong Kong talent
- Age: 18 years old or above;
- Economic ability: deposit certificate , individual application 20w+, family application 30w+;
- Good conduct: no crime or bad record;
- Basic education: Generally, bachelor's degree or above with documentary certificates;
- Applicants need to choose one of the comprehensive score system or achievement score system to get qualified scores.
1) comprehensive scoring system: has a maximum score of 225 points, a minimum passing score of 80 points, and a comprehensive assessment is conducted based on the applicant's education, work, family, etc.
2) Achievement Score System: must meet one of the following two requirements to get a full score of 225. Those who do not meet the requirements cannot submit an application.
① The applicant has won the Outstanding Achievement Award (such as Olympic medals, Nobel Prize , national/international award);
② The applicant can prove that his work has been recognized by peers or has made significant contributions to the development of his sector (such as the Lifetime Achievement Award awarded by the industry).
can submit an application if you meet one of the two scoring systems, and then the Hong Kong Immigration Department will screen it.
2. Hong Kong Specialist Application Conditions
In addition to having requirements for the applicant, it also has requirements for the employer company.
applicant requirements:
- has no criminal record or bad entry record;
- has bachelor's degree or has good technical qualifications, proven professional skills/related experience and achievements;
- applicants do have have obtained the company's employment, and prove that this position cannot be found to be competent for local talents in Hong Kong;
- salary and benefits are roughly the same as Hong Kong specialist market salary and benefits.
Employer's company requirements:
- established time: at least one year
- substantive operation: Hong Kong local office address; no less than 3 local employees to pay MPF certificate, the duration is not less than 6 months; annual turnover is not less than 300 10,000 Hong Kong dollars
- job vacancy: The key is to prove that there is indeed a vacancy for this position, and it is difficult to find a suitable candidate in Hong Kong
2. From the perspective of the applicable population
1. Hong Kong talents: elites, high education, graduated from the top 100 prestigious universities in the world, Fortune 500 companies or Hong Kong listed leading technology company employment, Hong Kong urgently needs relatively excellent talents such as industries, scientific research, technology, and senior executives.
2. Hong Kong Specialist: Counterpart professionals in Hong Kong's popular industries are in urgent need of employment (employed) from Hong Kong companies, transferred from mainland companies to Hong Kong companies ( transferred), and opened a company in Hong Kong ( self-employed).
3. From the perspective of approval time
1. Hong Kong talent: generally takes about 9-12 months, and the subsequent review time will continue to be shortened, and the approval rate is relatively low.
2. Hong Kong Specialist: usually takes about 3-6 months, the approval time is faster, and the approval rate is higher.
4. From the perspective of renewal requirements
1. Hong Kong Talents: If applies for talents through the "comprehensive score system" to apply for talents, renewal is generally approved in the form of "2+3+3" (the top talents are "2+6"), and you can apply for permanent residence in Hong Kong for seven years.
talent renewal will be more flexible, and there is no rigid requirement for residential or work binding. It mainly depends on the "usual relationship" between the applicant and Hong Kong. During this period, such as children studying in Hong Kong, having business exchanges, finding a company to affiliate, starting a business/employment in Hong Kong, or having certain signs of residence every year, or providing a proof of address, etc.
2. Hong Kong Specialist: The renewal of Specialist is generally approved in the form of "2+3+3" or based on the validity period of their employment contract (whichever is shorter term) (the top talent is "2+6").
But be careful, if you do not have a job in Hong Kong, you will not be able to renew your .
5. From the latest policies,
In October this year, Hong Kong released the latest "Policy Report", with new policy changes regarding Hong Kong talents and Hong Kong specialists.
1. Hong Kong Talents: cancels the annual quota for the "Excellent Talents Entry Plan" for a period of 2 years , and at the same time optimizes the approval procedures to attract more world-class talents to Hong Kong. The effective date of of this measure
- is on January 1, 2023.
- ’s policy to cancel the restriction on talent quota is only valid for in 22 years.
- cancels the quota limit, which does not mean that you can apply at will.
- Hong Kong talent application window has been opened, and now is the golden age of for application.
2. Hong Kong Specialist: Relax [General Employment Policy] and [Enter Mainland Talent Plan].
before getting these two visas. must have an education, be hired in advance, and prove that this position really cannot recruit people in Hong Kong, you must be required.
But now, as long as the recruited talents meet the review standards of "13 Talent List" , or the annual salary of the recruitment position reaches and more than , you can apply directly without proof!
Overall, if you meet the application requirements for a specialist and will move to Hong Kong in the future and work in Hong Kong, it is recommended to choose the application method of a specialist, and the chances of a specialist will be higher.
If you plan to focus on living in the mainland in the future and meet the application requirements for talent, it will be better to consider talent. Both application methods:
are applications for one person. The whole family benefits from and it takes 7 years to be transferred to permanent residence. Do you know how to choose between the two?
If you are interested in knowing your Hong Kong identity, you can scan the code to conduct qualification tests. It only takes 10 seconds to know whether you meet the application qualification.
