The Hong Kong Government has updated its Talent List, now covering 60 professions, with a notable addition of Islamic banking professionals to strengthen the city’s financial sector.
The revised list, which takes effect from 1 March 2025 (Saturday), aims to attract skilled overseas professionals, including those with expertise in Islamic banking and finance, under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), General Employment Policy (GEP), and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).
The updated list now includes 60 professions facing local talent shortages, enabling eligible overseas professionals to benefit from immigration facilitation under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), General Employment Policy (GEP), and Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).
This latest revision introduces nine new professions across key sectors, including financial services, innovation and technology, legal and dispute resolution services, as well as aviation and shipping.
The new additions include accountants, financial professionals with experience in Islamic markets, and professionals in commodities trading.
The Chief Executive had previously announced in his Policy Address 2024 that the Talent List would be updated in early 2025 to align with Hong Kong’s strategic development as one of the “eight centres.”
This update is aimed at ensuring the city remains competitive in key industries by attracting skilled professionals essential for economic growth.
The latest review was conducted by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, in consultation with industry organisations, major business chambers, the Human Resources Planning Commission, and the Labour Advisory Board.
A government spokesman stated:
“In reviewing the Talent List, the Government has considered whether talents of the professions concerned are readily available in the local employment market and whether the talents in demand cannot be nurtured by local training in good time. This round of update has also included emerging industries, as well as some professional occupations identified in the 2023 Manpower Projection announced last November as being in demand in the coming five years, requiring academic qualifications at degree level or above.”
Since its introduction in 2018, the Talent List has been reviewed and expanded in 2021 and 2023 to ensure Hong Kong continues to attract high-quality professionals in a strategic and effective manner.
Employers seeking to recruit professionals under the GEP and ASMTP for positions listed on the Talent List will no longer be required to provide proof of recruitment difficulties for local candidates, thereby streamlining the hiring process.
Additionally, the revamped QMAS, which took effect on 1 November 2024, offers preferential consideration for applicants who meet the Talent List requirements under its General Points Test.
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