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economic and other development, and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the globalised market.
There is no sectoral restriction or quota under the scheme. The applicant must possess professional skills or knowledge not readily available or in short supply locally. Apart from professionals in the commercial and financial fields, talented people and professionals in the arts, culture and sports sectors as well as those in the culinary profession may also apply. Their admission will enhance Hong Kong's status as Asia's world city.
People admitted under the scheme may apply for the right of abode after having ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years in accordance with the law. Since the inception of the scheme, a total of 9 124 entry applications have been approved.
Employment of Mainland Graduates with Hong Kong Degrees
With effect from August 1, 2001, Mainland students who have graduated from University Grants Committee (UGC) funded institutions since 1990 are allowed to enter Hong Kong for employment. They should also possess special skills or knowledge of value to, but not readily available in Hong Kong. Since July 2005, this policy has been extended to those who are admitted to study at non-UGC-funded institutions in the academic year 2005-06 and thereafter, and who subsequently graduate from full-time locally accredited degree-level or above programmes. The objective of this arrangement is to attract outstanding Mainland students who have completed full-time locally accredited studies at degree or above programmes to re- enter Hong Kong for employment after graduation. During the year, 236 Mainland students received approval to enter through this channel.
Entry of Dependants
Under existing policy, spouses, unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 and dependent parents aged 60 or above of Hong Kong permanent residents may apply to enter Hong Kong as dependants. Capital investment entrants, people admitted into Hong Kong to take up employment and those admitted to take up study in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate programmes in local degree- awarding institutions may sponsor their spouses and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to apply to enter Hong Kong as dependants.
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was launched in October 2003. The objective of the scheme is to facilitate the entry for residence of people who make capital investment in Hong Kong but who would not, in the context of the scheme, be engaged in running any business here. The new capital brought in by the entrants is beneficial to the economic development of Hong Kong.
The scheme is generally applicable to foreign nationals, Macao Special Administrative Region residents, Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country, stateless persons who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country with proven re-entry facilities and residents of