The Government today announced that from June 1 it will regularise and expand a pilot scheme that provides immigration facilitation for visitors participating in short-term activities in 12 designated sectors.

As of the end of March, more than 16,600 individuals from nearly 120 countries or regions had entered Hong Kong to participate in a range of short-term events and activities under the scheme.

Five of the original sectors involved will be expanded, with 18 new authorised participating organisations being added.

Upon regularisation, the scheme will be named the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors.

The Government explained that the scheme will continue to cover 12 sectors. These are the medical and healthcare sector; higher education; arts and culture; sports; heritage; creative industries; innovation & technology; the Hong Kong Laureate Forum; aviation; international and mega events; finance; and development and construction. 

Under the scheme, some 400 organisations authorised by relevant government bureaus or departments can issue invitation letters to non-local talents in their sectors.

Invited persons may come to Hong Kong and participate in designated short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas or entry permits from the Immigration Department.

The Government highlighted that the pilot scheme has been welcomed by industry participants since its launch in 2022 and has been operating in an orderly manner.

It added that the scheme is conducive to bringing together talent from around the world to Hong Kong, giving full play to the city’s strengths as a place to connect and excel under “one country, two systems”.