The latest Hong Kong Gifted Program application guide in October 2023, with policies, application procedures, and renewals!
In October 2023, the favorable policies of the Hong Kong Gifted Scheme continued to advance, and more and more people consulted about the application of the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme. Now we have compiled a comprehensive talent application guide for everyone, if you plan to apply for Hong Kong talent this year, don't miss this opportunity!
1. Definition of the Hong Kong Quality Admission Scheme
The Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme is a global talent acquisition relocation programme where applicants who meet the basic qualifications can assess their eligibility and prepare the necessary documents before submitting their application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The Scheme aims to attract high-quality talents to work and settle in Hong Kong and contribute to Hong Kong's economic development. In short, the Hong Kong Gifted Program is a policy that allows you to obtain residency in Hong Kong.
Applicants to the Hong Kong Gifted Programme are first required to meet the basic eligibility requirements and compete for points under one of the two scoring systems ("Integrated Points System" or "Achievement Points System") to compete with other Hong Kong CEPT applicants.
The Hong Kong Talent application process may change this year, so be sure to keep an eye on the latest application details.
8 major application and approval changes of the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme:
1. Quota change: unlimited quota
Before adjustment: 4000 per year;
After adjustment: the quota limit is removed, and the upper limit is not capped, for a period of 2 years, that is, the two years of 2023-2024!
2. Score change: The total score is increased by 245 points
Before adjustment: 225 points in the comprehensive scoring system, 245 points after adjustment.
3. Bonus point change: 20 points for famous enterprises/top 500 enterprises
Before adjustment: work experience bonus is only 15 points for overseas work;
Adjusted: add a bonus for famous companies (listed companies, Fortune Global 500 companies, etc.)
4. Change of application materials 1: Overseas transcripts do not need to be sealed
Before adjustment: provide the original sealed transcript; Adjusted: Copies are provided and no seals are required.
5. Application materials change 2: No longer require a police clearance certificate
Before adjustment: a police certificate is required;
After adjustment: cancel the provision of a police clearance certificate, and truthfully declare a criminal record.
6. Changes in the process after application: optimize the selection process and shorten the approval time
Before adjustment: Announcement of selection results once a quarter;
After adjustment: The applicant will be notified of the selection result by email as soon as possible.
7. Change of process after application: cancel the interview session
Before adjustment: Visitors to Hong Kong after approval;
After adjustment: Cancel the interview session.
8. Change in length of stay: The first approved stay is changed from 2 years to 3 years
Before adjustment: The period of stay for the first time is 2 years, and the renewal method is 2+3+3 or 2+6 years;
Adjusted: The period of stay for the first time is 3 years, and the renewal method is 3+3+2 or 3+5 years.
2. Application Requirements for the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme
For mainland residents, Hong Kong resident status can usually be obtained in four ways, including meritocracy, high talent, professional talent (under the Mainland Talent Scheme), and study in Hong Kong (under the Local Graduate Retention Scheme). After that, after "normal continuous residence in Hong Kong for 7 years", you can obtain Hong Kong permanent resident status.
Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme Application Requirements
Age: Must be 18 years of age or older. (Provide identification documents)
Financial requirements: Applicants must demonstrate that they can independently support themselves and their dependents (if any) for their stay in Hong Kong and are not dependent on public assistance. (Proof of deposit: 20W+ for individuals, 30W+ for families.) It is best to have a cash instant deposit in a bank account, no need to freeze, can be deposited)
Good character: The applicant must not have a criminal record or a bad entry record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
Language Proficiency: Applicants must have a good command of written and spoken Chinese or English (Chinese spoken in Putonghua or Cantonese).
Basic Qualifications: Applicants must possess good academic qualifications, generally requiring a university degree from a recognized university or higher education institution. (That is, there is a degree to start with the undergraduate, and the focus is on keeping in mind!! ）
PS: Dependents are spouses and minor children.
Only after meeting the basic conditions will you choose a set of scoring criteria to calculate your score and submit your application.
Comprehensive Points System: A maximum of 245 points can be awarded and a minimum passing score of 80 points. A comprehensive assessment is conducted based on factors such as the applicant's age, education, work experience, language ability, family status, etc. The comprehensive points system applies to most eligible applicants.
You can submit an application if you meet 80 points under the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme. Don't worry too much about whether your score will be too low, most people's scores are around 100-150, so don't worry too much, the score is only one of the approved factors, depending on whether your education has advantages and the industry is right.
Friends who are interested in applying for the Hong Kong Talent Program may wish to spend 20S to do an assessment to see how many points they can get↓↓↓
Comprehensive assessment of Hong Kong identity planning
The official score table of the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Program is as follows▽
Note 1: Applicants holding a bachelor's degree or above from an internationally recognised and prestigious institution must be in the top 1 00 of the four global university rankings published by Q S, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report or the top 3 0 colleges in the National Liberal Arts University Rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. The Immigration Department may also consult relevant experts or professional bodies on qualifications granted by reputable institutions in specific industries that are not included in the above ranking table.
Note 2: To obtain additional points for having at least two years of international work experience, the international work experience must be equivalent to degree level or expert level work experience obtained outside the applicant's country of origin/region.
Note 3: If an applicant intends to obtain additional points in the scoring areas of the Talent List, he or she must provide supporting documents satisfying the HKSAR Government that he meets the requirements of the relevant profession in the Talent List. The Immigration Department may also consult the relevant government agencies/professional bodies on whether individual applications meet the requirements of the relevant profession in the talent list.
NOTE 4 The scoring arrangement also applies to the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, "same-sex marriage", opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union under the law in force in the place in force, where the status is legally and officially recognised by the local authority (see Note in "Purpose of the Programme").
For the specifications of the relevant majors (including relevant academic qualifications/work experience and achievements) in the Talent List, please refer to the Talent List.
Achievement Points System: Applicants must meet at least one of the following two requirements to receive a maximum of 245 points, or they will not be able to submit an application.
Applicants have received awards for outstanding achievement, such as Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes, national/international awards.
Applicants can demonstrate that they have been recognized by their peers in the field of work or have made significant contributions to the development of their industry, such as receiving a lifetime achievement award from the industry.
3. The latest application process of the Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and meet the comprehensive points system of 80 points or meet the requirements of the achievement points system can submit their application documents online.
1. Evaluate the eligibility of talents and confirm the application score
This is a crucial first step, as applications may be easily rejected if the qualifications are not met or the scores are miscalculated.
2. Material preparation and document writing (4-6 weeks)
The preparation time of materials varies from person to person, and usually needs to be reserved for about 4-6 weeks. Documents required for application include basic proofs, degree certificates, employer references, and project proposals.
3. Submit application materials
Starting from 2 April this year, applications for the Hong Kong Gifted must be submitted online. You will need to scan and save all your documents in PDF or JPG format, which can be a bit tedious and requires time and patience. After submitting your application, you will be given a file number.
4. Enter the selection process
Under normal circumstances, the selection process for applicants takes 3-9 months, so if you do not receive notice within the short term, do not worry, just wait patiently for further notification from the immigration department.
5. Officially approved
Once the official approval notice and visa are obtained, the applicant will be granted a Hong Kong stay visa/entry permit (in the form of an e-visa) according to the scheme without the need to travel to Hong Kong for interview procedures.
6. Identity registration
Complete the activation of the residence permit (D visa) and the Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID).
Although the above is the Hong Kong talent process from application to approval, although it seems simple, the preparation of materials and document writing is not easy, so it is recommended to leave the professional affairs to professionals.
4. Application materials
Documents marked with * must be submitted for online application.
5. Hong Kong Talent Program Renewal Guide
The latest Hong Kong talent renewal model is 3+3+2, while top talents can get a 3+5 renewal period. To qualify for the "continuous usual residence" condition, it is not necessarily necessary to spend many days in Hong Kong, the key is to maintain continuity of identity and maintain ties to Hong Kong.
The key to meritocracy's renewal is to prove that the applicant has regular residence in Hong Kong!
Here are some tips to renew in advance:
(1) Married persons can arrange for their spouse and children to study and live in Hong Kong, and visit in person on holidays.
(2) When children go to school in the mainland, they can take advantage of winter and summer holidays to participate in Hong Kong's training courses, summer camps and other activities.
(3) Register a Hong Kong company and establish business contacts.
(4) Pay MPF and establish a relationship with society.
(6) Join local industry associations and participate in local public welfare charity activities.
(7) Keep 3-5 entry and exit records within a year and record life tracks.
(8) Employed in a Hong Kong company, etc.
For those applicants who are unable to travel to Hong Kong in person, an explanation can be provided to the Immigration Department explaining why they are unable to reside in Hong Kong. Approval is usually case-by-case, with plenty of room for negotiation, and initial renewals are relatively lenient.
In conclusion, if you are unable to physically reside in Hong Kong, you need to take some practical actions to prove that you have contributed to Hong Kong's society and economy.
This year is the golden time to apply for Hong Kong gifted status, if you plan to apply, it is recommended to conduct a self-assessment before blindly applying and leave the professional matters to the professionals.
6. Frequently Asked Questions on Hong Kong Gifted Talent Scheme Application
1. Is there a specific requirement for the number of days of residence in Hong Kong?
The number of days of residence is not a mandatory requirement, some occupations need to fly everywhere, or it is possible to be sent to other places, which is incomparable with a 365-day daily residence in Hong Kong.
2. After the Hong Kong talent is approved, do I need to go to Hong Kong at least once every six months?
Because when applying for permanent residence in Hong Kong, if you have been away from Hong Kong for more than 6 months, you need to fill in the permanent residence application form and explain the reasons in detail.
In order to facilitate the renewal of the visa, it is usually recommended not to leave Hong Kong for more than half a year. But to be honest, it is not enough to go to Hong Kong only once every six months, and it is recommended to have more contact with Hong Kong.
3. After the Hong Kong talent is approved, can I not go to Hong Kong once?
No, if you can't go to Hong Kong once, then it is recommended not to consider permanent residence in Hong Kong.
No matter how you obtain Hong Kong status, if you want to finally get permanent residence in Hong Kong, it will take at least 7 years, and you need to maintain a regular relationship with Hong Kong, and the renewal of Hong Kong talents is the most relaxed and flexible way. It is best to live in Hong Kong for half a year to one year in 7 years, which can increase the chances of obtaining permanent residence status.
4. After the application is approved, when can the child change Hong Kong status with him? How to solve the problem of going to school?
Upon approval, the spouse and children will also be granted a Hong Kong Identity Card. Enjoy the rights of Hong Kong citizens such as work, medical care, education and other rights (except political rights. Political rights can only be acquired after 7 years, i.e. after the replacement of the permanent resident identity card). Children can transfer to Hong Kong for 15 years of compulsory education, from kindergarten to high school.
5. For those with poor basic conditions, can they improve their scores through packaging?
All packaging is based on the basic principles of authenticity and integrity. Objectively speaking, applicants with poor basic conditions need to be properly packaged on their own work experience, work results and plans for coming to Hong Kong, but they should not be fictitious or exaggerated.
6. Can I enjoy preferential policies in the Mainland when applying for a Hong Kong Resident Identity Card?
1) Hong Kong residents investing in the Mainland enjoy the treatment of foreign investors;
2) Hong Kong identity to start a business in Shenzhen, can enjoy independent social security subsidies, company rent subsidies, etc.;
3) Buying a house in Beijing, Shenzhen and nine cities in the Greater Bay Area is not subject to social security and hukou restrictions;
4) Enjoy the protection and services of the Chinese Consulate overseas.
For more knowledge of the Hong Kong Gifted Program, please pay attention to the public account: Hong Kong identity knowledge disseminator