Hong Kong’s push to reposition itself as a magnet for high-value investment and global talent took centre stage in the Legislative Council on 4 February. In a written reply, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong revealed that the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has lured 102 companies in priority sectors such as life-and-health technology, AI & data science, fintech, advanced manufacturing, new-energy tech and cultural & creative industries. The firms are forecast to inject HK$60 billion and create about 22 000 jobs over the next few years, with more than 50 per cent already choosing Hong Kong as a global or regional headquarters. (info.gov.hk)
The reply shed light on how immigration policy underpins the drive. Applications approved under the updated Talent List—expanded in March 2025 from 51 to 60 professions—jumped 110 per cent to roughly 1 800 cases by end-2025. Most approvals came via the General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents & Professionals, indicating that streamlined visa routing is meeting real labour-market gaps. (info.gov.hk)
![LegCo brief outlines next steps for Hong Kong’s talent-driven immigration push]()
Navigating Hong Kong’s fast-evolving visa framework can be daunting, but platforms like VisaHQ help cut through the red tape by providing real-time guidance, document verification and electronic filing for work, talent and dependent visas. Whether you’re a biotech start-up founder pursuing OASES incentives or an AI engineer applying under the 60-profession Talent List, their specialists keep track of policy changes and processing timelines so you don’t have to. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Officials acknowledged concerns that some arrivals struggle to find roles matching their expertise. Wong said the government will keep the Talent List under “dynamic” review and co-ordinate with universities, R&D parks and chambers of commerce to ensure supply chains of both skills and industrial partners keep pace. OASES is also tracking how many staff each enterprise is hiring and whether promised R&D centres, production lines or headquarters are operational. By end-January 2026, roughly 90 per cent had established—or were setting up—local R&D facilities. (info.gov.hk)
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the update is significant. Companies considering Hong Kong can benchmark likely processing times and incentives, while HR teams can map talent-visa pathways against the refreshed 60-profession list. For assignees, the figures suggest growing opportunities in innovation-heavy fields, but also highlight the need to secure employment before relocation. Practically, employers should monitor forthcoming fee changes announced in last year’s budget and prepare for fully digital filing, which became mandatory for most visa classes in 2025.
The reply shed light on how immigration policy underpins the drive. Applications approved under the updated Talent List—expanded in March 2025 from 51 to 60 professions—jumped 110 per cent to roughly 1 800 cases by end-2025. Most approvals came via the General Employment Policy and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents & Professionals, indicating that streamlined visa routing is meeting real labour-market gaps. (info.gov.hk)
Navigating Hong Kong’s fast-evolving visa framework can be daunting, but platforms like VisaHQ help cut through the red tape by providing real-time guidance, document verification and electronic filing for work, talent and dependent visas. Whether you’re a biotech start-up founder pursuing OASES incentives or an AI engineer applying under the 60-profession Talent List, their specialists keep track of policy changes and processing timelines so you don’t have to. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Officials acknowledged concerns that some arrivals struggle to find roles matching their expertise. Wong said the government will keep the Talent List under “dynamic” review and co-ordinate with universities, R&D parks and chambers of commerce to ensure supply chains of both skills and industrial partners keep pace. OASES is also tracking how many staff each enterprise is hiring and whether promised R&D centres, production lines or headquarters are operational. By end-January 2026, roughly 90 per cent had established—or were setting up—local R&D facilities. (info.gov.hk)
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the update is significant. Companies considering Hong Kong can benchmark likely processing times and incentives, while HR teams can map talent-visa pathways against the refreshed 60-profession list. For assignees, the figures suggest growing opportunities in innovation-heavy fields, but also highlight the need to secure employment before relocation. Practically, employers should monitor forthcoming fee changes announced in last year’s budget and prepare for fully digital filing, which became mandatory for most visa classes in 2025.
