ENG-2019 — Page 347

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Population and Immigration

Entry as Professionals or Entrepreneurs

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 the city. Entrepreneurs, including those with start-ups, who can contribute substantially to the economy are also welcome to apply to come to Hong Kong to establish or join a business. During the year, 55,342 professionals and entrepreneurs were admitted.

Technology Talent Admission Scheme

This pilot scheme provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible technology companies and institutes to admit non-local technology talent to undertake research and development work in Hong Kong. From the start of implementation in June 2018 to end-2019, 99 applications for visas or entry permits were approved.

Employment of Non-local Graduates

Non-local fresh graduates of full-time, locally accredited programmes at degree level or above may apply to stay and work in Hong Kong for one year after graduation. Non-local graduates who have left Hong Kong may also apply to return for work, provided the job they have secured is at a level commonly taken up by degree-holders and the remuneration package is at market level. During the year, 10,799 non-local graduates were approved to stay in or return to Hong Kong for employment.

Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents

This scheme facilitates the return from overseas of the second generation of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents. Approved entrants need not have secured a job offer upon their first entry. Fifty-five applications were approved in 2019.

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

This scheme facilitates the entry of people who invest capital in Hong Kong but do not run a business. It was suspended on 15 January 2015. By end-2019, the scheme had approved 35,429 applications involving total investments of $316.6 billion.

Entry of Dependants

Hong Kong permanent residents and residents who are not subject to a limit of stay may sponsor the following people to enter the city as dependants: their spouse; the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, 'same-sex marriage', opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union; unmarried dependent children under 18; and dependent parents aged 60 or above.

Non-locals who are admitted under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Immigration. Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents or Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, or are admitted for employment (as professionals, for investment to establish or join in a business as entrepreneurs, or for training) or for studies in a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate local programme in a local degree-awarding institution, may also sponsor their dependants, except parents, to reside in Hong Kong.

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