ENG-2003 — Page 519

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

permanent residents in accordance with the law. During the year, 15 774 professionals and persons with technical, administrative or managerial skills from more than 100 countries/territories were admitted for employment.

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

The new Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals was implemented on July 15, 2003, replacing the Admission of Talents Scheme and the Admission of Mainland Professionals Scheme. The conditions for admitting Mainland residents and foreigners for employment have been basically aligned upon the commencement of the new scheme. The objective of the scheme is to attract Mainland talent and professionals to work in Hong Kong in order to meet local manpower needs, so as to facilitate local economic and other development and to 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 shortage locally. Apart from professionals in the commercial and financial fields, talented persons and professionals in the arts, culture and sports sectors as well as those in the culinary profession may also apply. The admission of these persons will enhance Hong Kong's status as an Asian world city.

Spouses and unmarried dependent children of persons admitted under the scheme are eligible to apply for entry into Hong Kong as dependants. Persons admitted under the scheme and their dependants 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 1 350 applications have been approved.

Admission of Mainland Student Graduated from University Grants Committee (UGC)-Funded Institutions in Hong Kong

With effect from August 1, 2001, Mainland students who have graduated from UGC-funded institutions since 1990 have been allowed to enter Hong Kong for employment. They should also possess skills or knowledge of value to, but not readily available in, Hong Kong. The objective of this arrangement is to attract outstanding Mainland students who have completed full-time studies at bachelor or above level to re-enter Hong Kong for employment after graduation, so as to increase Hong Kong's competitiveness in the knowledge-based global economy. During the year, 113 Mainland students received approval to enter through this channel.

Entry of Dependants

The review of the immigration policy governing the entry of dependants was completed in July 2003 to ensure that the policy continues to meet Hong Kong's needs and helps attract people with the right talent and skills to come to Hong Kong while minimising the associated immigration and security risks. Under the revised policy, spouses, unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 and dependent parents aged 60 or above of Hong Kong permanent residents are eligible to apply for entry into Hong Kong as dependants. In the case of capital investment entrants or persons admitted into Hong Kong to take up employment or study in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate programmes in local degree-awarding institutions, including those from the Mainland admitted under schemes or arrangements catering for them, their spouses and unmarried dependent children are eligible to apply for entry into Hong

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