Helping You Obtain Your Hong Kong Talent Visa as Quickly as Possible, on the Path to Seven Years of Residence
Hong Kong Technical Professionals List — the 8 Technical Trades Covered
New industrialisation technicians, nurses, aircraft maintenance technicians, maritime technicians (local vessels), information technology technicians, lift/escalator technicians, Building Information Modelling coordinators and electrical technicians.
Hong Kong's new technical professional visa: 2+3+3 / 3+3+2. Note: subject to Immigration Department approval, the application takes about 6 months.
Hong Kong Government Announces Arrangements to Admit Professionals in Designated Technical Trades
The Hong Kong government announced on 30 May that, from 30 June, a new channel would be added under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, allowing outside persons to apply to come to Hong Kong to work in eight technical trades with acute manpower shortages. Applicants must be non-degree professionals who meet the qualifications set out in the Technical Professionals List, aged between 18 and 40. The new channel runs for 3 years, covering 10,000 places in total with a cap of 3,000 per trade.
The eight technical trades covered by the Technical Professionals List are new industrialisation technicians, nurses, aircraft maintenance technicians, maritime technicians (local vessels), information technology technicians, lift/escalator technicians, Building Information Modelling coordinators and electrical technicians. Applicants must meet the academic, experience and professional skill qualifications specified for the designated trades in the list (such as practising registration or licensing). As under the existing General Employment Policy and ASMTP, the professionals concerned must first be engaged by a local employer, with remuneration packages comparable to the local market level, before an application may be made.
Depending on the technical trade and the applicant's qualifications, the first entry visa is valid for 24 or 36 months. When applying for renewal, the technical professional must remain employed in Hong Kong in the same technical trade. If the renewal is approved, the extension of stay may be up to 36 months, or according to the validity of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.
A government spokesman said: 'The 2023 Manpower Projection report released last year estimated that Hong Kong's overall manpower shortage would reach 180,000 by 2028, of which more than a third would be skilled technical personnel. The 2024 Policy Address therefore announced a new channel to admit young non-degree professionals with the relevant professional skills and experience. Policy bureaux and departments reviewed the arrangement and consulted the relevant stakeholders to draw up the Technical Professionals List. The list sets out technical trades that are indispensable to Hong Kong's normal operation, where local training will still be unable to meet the relevant manpower demand for at least the next 5 years.'
The spokesman added: 'The new channel targets qualified and experienced non-degree mid-level technical professionals in the designated industries. Our aim is to attract them to settle and develop in Hong Kong for the long term, so it differs in nature from, and does not overlap with, the existing Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme and the sector-specific labour importation schemes. The new arrangement will run for 3 years and be reviewed thereafter. Developing the local workforce remains the focus of government policy.'
The employment-linked General Employment Policy and ASMTP currently allow employers to apply to engage outside talent, who normally hold a bachelor's degree or above in the relevant field, to fill vacancies that cannot be taken up by local people immediately. Where the post falls under a profession on the Talent List, companies do not need to demonstrate local recruitment difficulty when applying.
WhatsApp us | Imported labour solutionsThe Technical Professionals Scheme Is Now Open for Applications
The scheme applies to the positions listed under the eight technical areas. Eligible employers may apply for the professional and technical personnel they intend to hire.
Approved applicants will be granted visas to work in Hong Kong, with the first visa and subsequent renewals following a 2+3+3 or 3+3+2 year pattern.
Specialist Post
Maritime Technician (Local Vessels)
Posts: (A) Senior Maritime Technician; (B) Intermediate Maritime Technician. Scope of work: (A) manage and supervise crew and vessel operations, handle navigation/engineering matters, interpret navigational data and respond to emergencies; maintain shipboard equipment (engines, life-saving, fire-fighting, etc.) and support annual maintenance of vessels, ferries and terminal facilities (including green fuel bunkering facilities); train and lead subordinate crew. (B) operate vessels independently or assisting the master, provide ferry services and perform day-to-day duties; operate, monitor and maintain vessel equipment independently or assisting the engineer officer, and support facility maintenance. Professional qualifications: work experience as a maritime technician and certificates of competency as master/crew. Salary level: about HK$20,000–40,000 per month.
Specialist Post
New Industrialisation Technician
Posts: (A) smart/automated manufacturing and robotics engineering; (B) mechanical engineering/mechatronics engineering; (C) biomedical engineering; (D) microelectronics engineering. Scope of work: (A) troubleshooting, equipment design, programming, installation, operation optimisation, monitoring, quality control and maintenance; (B) design, manufacture, installation, maintenance, quality control and troubleshooting of installations and equipment; (C) product design and development, quality inspection, monitoring and troubleshooting, assisting engineers in execution and verification; (D) microelectronic device system design, development, manufacture, testing, equipment maintenance and R&D support. Professional qualifications: graduation from a relevant vocational and technical college and qualifications in the relevant scope of work. Salary level: not lower than the median income of holders of post-secondary non-degree qualifications in Hong Kong, i.e. about HK$18,500; employers must still recruit at market levels.
Specialist Post
Nurse
Posts: nurses in elderly homes, homes for persons with disabilities and nursing homes. Scope of work: provide nursing services, health care, professional nursing, teaching and research work in elderly homes, homes for persons with disabilities, nursing homes or other medical institutions. Professional qualifications: a valid nurse registration/enrolment qualification under the Nurses Registration Ordinance. Salary level: about HK$20,000 for enrolled nurse qualification; about HK$25,000–30,000 for registered nurse qualification; employers must still recruit at market levels.
Specialist Post
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Post: aircraft maintenance mechanic. Scope of work: carry out routine maintenance and inspection of aircraft, engines and components according to the airline's or manufacturer's procedures, meeting airworthiness and safety requirements; perform overhauls or modifications as instructed, ensuring the safe operation of aircraft and related equipment. Professional qualifications: a valid aircraft maintenance certificate/licence issued by the Civil Aviation Department, and at least one year of experience in line, base, engine or related component maintenance. Salary level: about HK$20,000–50,000 per month (depending on rank).
Specialist Post
Information Technology Technician
Posts: (A) programming technician; (B) network support technician; (C) cybersecurity technician. Scope of work: (A) write and maintain programs, system testing, documentation, assisting in system design and preparing project reports; (B) install and configure network systems and equipment, diagnose and resolve problems, and compile day-to-day operating procedures for wide area/local area networks; (C) intrusion monitoring, risk assessment, penetration testing, and assisting in handling and responding to information security incidents. Professional qualifications: relevant professional certificates and work experience. Salary level: about HK$20,000–40,000 per month.
Specialist Post
Lift / Escalator Technician
Posts: lift technician; escalator technician. Scope of work: employed by registered contractors to carry out installation, testing, examination, repair, maintenance, alteration and demolition works on lifts and escalators; all works must comply with the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap. 618) and the Code of Practice for Lift Works and Escalator Works. Professional qualifications: the relevant certificates specified by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, proof of relevant experience and qualifications, and a pass in the written examination organised by the Vocational Training Council (recognised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department). Salary level: about HK$20,000–40,000 per month.
Specialist Post
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Coordinator
Posts: BIM draughting; model monitoring and drawing updates; project information management; process management. Scope of work: use BIM technology for draughting and modelling, and take charge of model management and updates; handle information management to ensure project data meets the accuracy and completeness required by contract; manage collaboration processes, set standards and communication protocols, and assist collaboration among project parties. Professional qualifications: relevant professional certificates and work experience.
Specialist Post
Electrical Technician
Post: electrical technician. Scope of work: carry out installation, testing, inspection, repair and maintenance of electrical installations, ensuring compliance with the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 406) and the related safety regulations. Professional qualifications: a valid certificate of registration of electrical worker (in one of the categories) and relevant work experience. Salary level: about HK$20,000–40,000 per month.
Do I need a degree for the Technical Professional List?
No. The channel is for non-degree mid-level technical professionals, assessed against the qualifications, experience and licensing requirements on the list; applicants must be 18 to 40.
What does the 2+3+3 visa pattern mean?
A first visa of 24 or 36 months, then extensions of up to 36 months or the contract term (whichever is shorter) — a 2+3+3 or 3+3+2 pattern overall. Extensions require continued employment in the same trade.
Free tools
Want to know more about hiring imported workers in Hong Kong, or arranging for overseas professionals to work here?
We are happy to answer any question employers may have.
Contact the Labour Services Company team now for free information.
Contact the Labour Services team