Hong Kong Rejects Talent Scheme Caps Amid Job Concerns
The labour minister ruled out adjusting talent schemes or limiting non-local graduates seeking work as lawmakers voice worries about local graduate employment.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Internships
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Hong Kong's labour minister ruled out adjusting talent admission schemes or capping non-local graduates seeking employment at the legislature. Lawmakers representing employees raised concerns that local graduates face difficulty finding jobs amid competition from non-locals.
Why it matters
Hong Kong's working population peaked in 2018 and its population is rapidly ageing, so the city says it still needs to import talent to support economic development. The debate centres on balancing workforce growth against opportunities for local graduates.
About 25,000 non-local graduates have stayed in Hong Kong under the IANG scheme, which allows two years to seek jobs. More than 320,000 talented people have moved to the city under its talent admission schemes, but the number of those who found employment was not reported.
The players
Chris Sun Yuk-han
Chris Sun Yuk-han is Hong Kong's Secretary for Labour and Welfare, responsible for the city's labour policy and workforce programmes.
John Lee
John Lee is Hong Kong's Chief Executive, who launched the city's talent drive through his 2022 Policy Address.
The details
The Top Talent Pass Scheme allows eligible individuals to secure a visa without first having a job offer, and most of its visa holders come from mainland China. Non-local graduates' visas are renewed only if they are employed, and the government has begun preparations for its 2028-29 to 2030-31 triennial planning exercise with public universities.
Timeline
2018: Hong Kong's working population peaked.
2022: Chief Executive John Lee's Policy Address launched the talent drive.
November 11, 2026: The labour minister rejected talent scheme caps at the legislature.
2028-29 to 2030-31: Preparations for the triennial university planning exercise begin.
Talent Policy Context
The minister's refusal to cap non-local graduates extends the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which lets eligible people secure a visa without a prior job offer. The policy reflects a workforce shrinking since its 2018 peak, a trend that has pushed Hong Kong to keep importing talent.
Graduates considering Hong Kong must secure employment within two years to keep a non-local graduate visa, since renewal depends on being employed. The Top Talent Pass Scheme also lets eligible people apply for a visa without a job offer, which increases competition for entry-level roles.
The takeaway
Hong Kong's workforce decline is pushing policymakers to rely on imported talent even as local graduates raise concerns about job access. Anyone weighing a move or a graduate role there should track how the planned university reforms and visa rules evolve.
Further reading
Explore related coverage in our Internships section for context on graduate entry-level work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South China Morning Post.
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Should Hong Kong limit non-local graduates seeking jobs to protect local graduates?
