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Kristen Cheung

Hong Kong will not cap the number of admissions under its talent schemes, with the labour minister saying “the more, the better” amid a global race for skilled workers, despite rising concerns over whether the city can absorb the influx.
Wrapping up a five-day visit to Hong Kong by overseas innovation and technology (I&T) specialists, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Friday that no quota would be set for the two main categories of talent passes – one for professionals with job offers and the Top Talent Pass Scheme – but renewals were conditional on holders being employed or having set up companies in the city.
“Such requirements ensure arrivals contribute meaningfully to the economy. The more talent that comes to Hong Kong, the better,” he said.
Experts have raised concerns about whether the city can absorb the influx of non-local talent without putting strains on its population.
Hong Kong has rolled out a suite of talent schemes since late 2022, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme for top earners and graduates of leading universities, the points-based Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and channels for professionals with job offers and technology specialists.

Authorities have approved 126,942 applications since 2023, with 94.5 per cent, or 120,009, involving candidates coming from mainland China.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is expected to give an update on the city’s talent hunt when he delivers the 2026 policy address and Hong Kong’s first five-year plan next Wednesday.
The government is reportedly moving to add professions related to artificial intelligence (AI), and plans to incorporate related qualifications into existing entries to ease an anticipated shortage of interdisciplinary AI experts, with such efforts slated for completion in the first half of 2027.
A delegation of 20 overseas tech specialists organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), a government office under the Labour and Welfare Bureau, concluded a five-day visit from Monday covering Hong Kong, Qianhai in Shenzhen and Nansha in Guangzhou.
The tour aimed to familiarise participants with the region’s I&T ecosystem and support measures.
The group comprised winners of a hackathon co-organised by HKTE and Germany’s EuroTech Federation in June, as well as federation representatives.
They toured major tech hubs including Cyberport, the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, in addition to the Northern Metropolis.
During the trip, they visited local research institutes, enterprises and start-ups to explore opportunities in AI, robotics, smart transport and biotechnology.

Cem Deniz Araz, a German doctor and chief executive of heal.health, a preventive healthcare start-up, said he was impressed by the Greater Bay Area’s hi-tech infrastructure. His company, which is still in early development, was exploring opportunities to expand in Hong Kong and mainland China.
“What impressed me most was the self-driving technology – I never saw that in Germany,” he said.
“Hong Kong also has great potential for my AI healthcare business, as the city is dealing with an ageing population.”
Aleksandr Gorbunov, a Russian co-founder of muunai, an AI start-up focused on automating clinical documentation for medical practices, said he was struck by the scale of robotics manufacturing on the mainland, and hoped to explore opportunities there in the future.
“We got to visit biotech, AI and robotics at the forefront of development in China,” he said. “At one robotics company, they showed us what their robots can do, and seeing that as a human was truly remarkable.”


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German doctor and tech entrepreneur Cem Deniz Araz (left), co-founder and CEO of heal.health, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, co-founder of muunai, at Cyberport on Friday. Photo: Silvia Siu

A delegation of 20 overseas tech specialists has concluded a five-day visit covering Hong Kong, Qianhai in Shenzhen and Nansha in Guangzhou. Photo: Silvia Siu

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Minister addresses concerns about policy’s impact on population, saying renewal criteria ensures arrivals ‘contribute meaningfully’


Minister addresses concerns about policy’s impact on population, saying renewal criteria ensures arrivals ‘contribute meaningfully’.


‘The more, the better’: Hong Kong won’t cap talent scheme passes, labour chief says

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Minister addresses concerns about policy’s impact on population, saying renewal criteria ensures arrivals ‘contribute meaningfully’

Minister addresses concerns about policy’s impact on population, saying renewal criteria ensures arrivals ‘contribute meaningfully’