More than 23,000 mainland Chinese have been granted multiple-entry talent visas since the scheme was introduced last February, according to Beijing’s immigration authorities, allowing them to stay in Hong Kong for up to 30 days to participate in technology, innovation, culture and education activities.
Peng Ling, head of the immigration department’s entry and exit control department, released the latest figures on Monday, an increase from data released in mid-April, which recorded 18,000 successful candidates.
“With this visa, they will have sufficient time to participate in scientific research exchanges, academic discussions and other activities in Hong Kong, effectively promoting the free, convenient and efficient flow of talent and technology,” she said at a regular press conference in the country’s capital.
The central authorities launched the program in February 2023, allowing mainland talents in the fields of science, technology, innovation, culture and education to apply for multiple-entry visas valid for one to five years, allowing stays of up to 30 days each in Hong Kong and Macau.
For comparison: With other exit permits, the length of stay is usually seven days.
Beijing began introducing a series of more flexible visa measures between Hong Kong and the mainland in early 2023.
Other measures include extending the length of stay for business visits to Hong Kong from seven to 14 days, introducing multiple “northbound” visas for foreign workers working in the city, and a five-year multiple-entry travel permit to the mainland for Hong Kong’s 270,000 permanent residents who hold foreign passports.
Peng said more than 30,000 applications for the new residence permit for Hong Kong nationals with foreign passports have been submitted since applications began on July 10.
“Permanent residents with foreign passports are the builders and shapers of Hong Kong society. Granting them permits is an important reform measure that fully and accurately implements the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” Peng said.
She said the new permit is an active, comprehensive response to the new needs and expectations of Hong Kong society and accelerates the liberalisation of cross-border entry and exit at the institutional level.
Peng added that since October 2020, when Beijing introduced the measure to simplify the replacement and reapplication process, about 312,000 Hong Kong residents have applied for permission to return to the mainland.
MP Wendy Hong Wen said the approval of more than 23,000 visas for talents from mainland China in about a year and a half was “reasonable” because the hurdle for the number of applicants was high and the decision rested with Beijing, not Hong Kong.
However, she suggested that Hong Kong authorities should conduct a city-wide survey to determine what kind of talent would be needed for the city’s future development and then discuss their findings with Beijing with a view to potentially adding more categories to the eligibility list.
“For example, there is a great need for ship repair personnel in Hong Kong, who may not be considered top talent under the current program. The government should think about how to expand the list of talent,” she said.
