Key Points
- Hong Kong expanded its Talent List by nine professions on March 1, 2025.
- The update brings the total number of professions on the list to 60.
- The list supports applications under three major talent admission schemes.
Overview
Effective March 1, 2025, Hong Kong added nine new professions to its Talent List, expanding the total number of in-demand occupations to 60. The Talent List is designed to attract high-skilled professionals from overseas and the Mainland to fill local labor shortages and support the city’s economic priorities.
The newly included professions span a range of critical sectors: accountants, financial professionals with Islamic market experience, commodities trading experts, experienced systems architects, patent professionals, legal knowledge engineers, ship surveyors, professionals in green shipping, and aircraft maintenance engineers. These additions reflect Hong Kong’s strategic focus on expanding its fintech, legal tech, environmental sustainability, and aviation sectors.
Foreign professionals with expertise in the listed fields may benefit from streamlined immigration processing when applying under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), the General Employment Policy (GEP), and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).
Looking Ahead
Employers and global mobility teams should assess how the updated Talent List may create new opportunities for recruiting specialized talent into Hong Kong. Foreign nationals in the newly added categories may benefit from a faster path to employment and residence approvals. Additional updates to the Talent List may occur as the government continues to respond to evolving labor market needs, and companies should stay informed on future changes.
