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Population and Immigration

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme launched in June 2006 seeks to enhance Hong Kong's pool of human capital by allowing talented people to apply for entry and settlement in Hong Kong without first securing an offer of local employment. At the end of 2014, 3,097 places had been allotted to applicants.

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme facilitates the entry of people who invest capital in Hong Kong but do not run a business. The minimum investment (and net assets/net equity requirement) is $10 million. By the end of 2014, 25,504 applicants had been approved under the scheme, investing a total of $216.1 billion.

Entry for Employment or Business

Hong Kong maintains an open policy towards professionals entering the city for employment, welcoming those with special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong. Overseas entrepreneurs who can contribute substantially to the economy may also apply to come to Hong Kong to establish or join in a business. Since 1 July 1997, over 440,000 non-local professionals and entrepreneurs have been admitted to Hong Kong via various admission arrangements.

Employment of Non-local Students

Non-local fresh graduates of full-time locally-accredited local programmes at degree level or above may apply to remain in Hong Kong for one year after graduation to take up employment. Returning non-local graduates may also apply to return to Hong Kong for employment provided the job they have secured is at a level commonly taken up by degree-holders and is remunerated at market rates.

Entry of Dependants

Hong Kong permanent residents or residents who are not subject to a limit of stay may sponsor their spouses, unmarried dependent children under 18 and dependent parents aged 60 or above to enter Hong Kong as dependants. Those admitted under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, or those admitted to take up employment as professionals, for investment to establish or join in a business, for training, or for full-time undergraduate or post-graduate studies at local degree-awarding institutions, may also sponsor their spouses and unmarried dependent children under 18 to apply to enter Hong Kong as dependants.

Illegal Immigration

The HKSAR keeps a close watch on illegal immigration: 736 Mainland illegal immigrants were arrested during 2014, 23 per cent less than in 2013; 1,180 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were arrested, or 178 per cent more than in 2013; and 804 non-ethnic Chinese (excluding Vietnamese) illegal immigrants were arrested, one per cent more than in 2013. The Immigration Department maintains close liaison with the Mainland and overseas governments on matters relating to population movements and irregular migration.

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