A new employment admission scheme has been proposed allowing talented workers to stay in Hong Kong for a certain period of time, without having to secure a job offer beforehand.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told legislators today the Government is formulating the plan, and hopes to unveil details of it early next year.

In the last two years 47,972 people from overseas and the Mainland were allowed to work in Hong Kong. Among them, 39,458 came under the General Employment Policy, a plan that allows foreigners to apply for entry into Hong Kong for work.

Another 7,665 came under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents & Professionals. The Government is reviewing the scheme, and preliminary findings show every admitted professional helps create an additional 1.8 posts for their company.

At the same time, the companies concerned consider that the admitted professionals will increase efficiency and productivity of the company, broaden its business profile and foster collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland.