The government is optimistic about the number of people who will stay under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, labour chief Chris Sun said on Wednesday.

More than 90,000 people have been granted visas of up to three years under the scheme since its launch at the end of 2022.

Sun said the government is currently handling visa-renewal requests by more than 300 people who are here under the talent scheme.

He added that about 10,000 visas are going to expire by the middle of the year.

“We will analyse the situation by then." Sun said. "We think things will be more accurate and provide a much clearer picture regarding the situation about the talent's visa renewal, jobs and contributions to Hong Kong. There will be more data. But even with such small number of renewals at the moment, we are still satisfied with how things are going,” he said.

The scheme allows successful applicants to stay in the SAR without proof of employment during their first visa granted under the talent scheme.

For renewals, top talents also don't need to show a work contract, although they have to demonstrate their contributions to the city, such as by showing their income or other forms of economic benefits that their work brought.