The government on Thursday announced the expansion of two immigration facilitation schemes, allowing more non-local talent to visit Hong Kong for short-term activities without work visas and extending the coverage of a separate scheme to Central Asia and the Middle East.

For visitors participating in short-term activities in designated sectors, the social welfare sector will be added to its coverage from October 1, bringing the total to 18 designated sectors.

More authorised organisations and specified activities have also been added in the existing sectors of international and mega events, higher education and finance. The scheme now covers about 490 authorised organisations.

Since its pilot launch in June 2022, the scheme has benefited more than 56,000 non-local talent, who participated in over 9,500 short-term activities including the Asian Financial Forum, the Hong Kong Sevens and the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo, the government said.

Participants may stay for up to 14 consecutive days per visit and receive remuneration for the specified activities.

Separately, the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons will be extended from Asean member states to countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All government bureaus and departments can now issue invitations under the scheme, which previously was limited to five bureaus.

People who have been invited will receive one-stop processing through an electronic platform, relaxed criteria for self-service immigration clearance, and simplified information requirements for visa applications where applicable.

Both expansions take effect on October 1.


Edited by Aaron Tam