August 18, 2026, marks the start of the lead-up period ahead of the release of Hong Kong’s Policy Address. The focus of market observation this year has shifted significantly: compared to previous years, when discussions centered on “whether the High-Talent Pass list would be expanded,” “whether the rules for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme would be adjusted,” and “whether investment immigration policies would be strengthened,” this year’s attention is instead on how Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will reshape the underlying logic of talent policies.

Even more noteworthy is that global elites are accelerating their move to Hong Kong. Since the beginning of 2023, Hong Kong has successfully attracted 138 active and retired international athletes through the “Admission Scheme for Talented Persons.” NBA star Stephon Marbury submitted his application through the High-Talent Pass in 2023; snooker stars Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump settled in Hong Kong via the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in October and December 2024, respectively; and the most recent addition is British snooker legend Jimmy White. These figures send a very clear message: Global high-end talent still regards Hong Kong as one of its top destinations, but after “attracting talent,” “retaining talent” is the real challenge.

For applicants planning to obtain Hong Kong residency, the period leading up to the 2026 Policy Address represents a window of certainty during which policy guidelines are relatively lenient. There are five key signals worth understanding in advance.

Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, and other locations, as well as annual review and audit, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax compliance, information updates, bank account opening, ODI filing, FDI filing, and other corporate services; Hong Kong residency application, renewal, and permanent residency services; Singapore EP application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and agency services. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

I. Sign No. 1: Policy has shifted from “broadly recruiting talent” to “targeted talent development, recruitment, and retention”

Over the past few years, Hong Kong’s talent programs have experienced a surge in growth. As of early 2026, more than 120,000 applications for the High-Talent Pass had been approved, and more than 30,000 applications for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme had been approved. However, this rapid influx of talent has also exposed a practical problem: while it is easy to attract talent, it is difficult to retain it. Some applicants, after obtaining their visas, have lived long-term on the mainland without engaging in employment, entrepreneurship, or substantive participation in Hong Kong’s local economy, and thus face difficulties in renewing their visas upon expiration.

Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan consultation document has clearly outlined the core of its talent strategy: refining targeted strategies for nurturing, attracting, and retaining talent; reviewing the effectiveness of talent policies and making dynamic adjustments; and ensuring that the talent Hong Kong truly needs remains in Hong Kong and integrates into Hong Kong society. This means that in the future, entry will be based on qualifications, while renewal of residency will be based on value. A visa is merely a ticket to entry; whether one can maintain residency status in the long term depends on the applicant’s alignment with Hong Kong’s industries, as well as their actual investment and contributions in Hong Kong.

II. Sign No. 2: The weight given to industry relevance continues to rise; admission decisions are no longer based solely on test scores and educational background.

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has been reformed, moving away from the old comprehensive points-based system to a “select 6 out of 12” eligibility mechanism; the High-Talent Pass program is also continuously optimizing its review process, no longer relying solely on verifying on-paper qualifications such as educational background and income. It is highly likely that the upcoming Policy Address will continue in this direction:

First, prioritize Hong Kong’s key growth sectors. Innovation and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Biopharmaceuticals, Green Finance, International Trade, Professional Legal Services, and the Cultural and Creative Industries have been identified as key areas for Hong Kong’s future development. Applicants whose projects align with these sectors will be given priority consideration during the selection process.

Second, the talent list will be continuously and dynamically updated. The list will be tailored to positions in high demand in the market, with scarce industries and positions given priority. Even if an applicant meets the eligibility requirements, the risk of approval or renewal will increase significantly if their personal background is out of alignment with the needs of Hong Kong’s industries.

Third, the alignment of one’s professional background with Hong Kong’s development direction. The Immigration Department now places greater emphasis on applicants“ ”development rationale” rather than a mere list of qualifications. If an applicant’s background does not align with Hong Kong’s development direction, the implicit risks in the subsequent review process will increase.

For comprehensive planning throughout the entire cycle of obtaining Hong Kong residency, Qicaiying offers a bundled service package covering “Residency Assessment + Application + Renewal + Settlement in Hong Kong”: Self-assessment against the 12 criteria for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and document preparation; income verification solutions for Category A applicants under the High-Caliber Talent Scheme; asset allocation structures for the 30 million investment immigration program; Hong Kong company registration and corporate secretarial services; assistance with office leasing in Hong Kong; and MPF and tax filing services. Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and the Cayman Islands, as well as corporate annual reviews, audits, bookkeeping, tax filing, tax compliance, information updates, bank account opening, ODI and FDI filings, and other corporate services; Hong Kong residency application, renewal, and permanent residency services; Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and agency management. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

III. Signal 3: The实质 requirements for “staying” have become clearer, and the standards for renewal reviews continue to tighten

The Five-Year Plan repeatedly emphasizes “retaining talent,” which means the criteria for visa renewal will become even stricter. In the past, some applicants rarely visited Hong Kong after obtaining their visas, relying solely on occasional visits to “check in” to maintain their status; this approach will become increasingly untenable in the future.

First, review of substantive connections. Whether you have employment, a business, office space, or tax filing records in Hong Kong is the first hurdle for renewal.

Second, actively participate in the review process. Whether a company participates in the local Hong Kong market and brings jobs, investment, and business partnerships to Hong Kong is central to the review process.

Third, review of long-term plans. The application must clearly outline your future plans for developing your career in Hong Kong, rather than simply treating Hong Kong residency as a “backup option.”

For the High-Talent Scheme Category A (HK$2.5 million annual income) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (select 6 out of 12 criteria), getting your first visa doesn’t mean you’re in the clear—renewal is the real test.

IV. Signal Four: Linking Talent Policies with the Five-Year Plan and the 15th Five-Year Plan

The 2026 Policy Address will be formulated around Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and will be closely aligned with the nation’s “15th Five-Year Plan.” This sends a very important signal: the focus of Hong Kong’s talent policy will shift from “how many people are recruited” to “what kind of people are recruited, whether they can be retained, and what value they can bring to Hong Kong.”

Various talent policies will be coordinated and integrated: the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the High-Caliber Talent Pass, the Specialized Talent Scheme, and the Investor Immigration Scheme will work in concert to support Hong Kong’s industrial objectives; greater emphasis will be placed on the two-way flow of talent within the Greater Bay Area, facilitating flexible career development for talent between the Mainland and Hong Kong while serving the broader national strategic interests; Policies will not undergo sudden, drastic changes but will instead undergo dynamic, incremental adjustments and optimizations; however, review standards will continue to tighten.

Market speculation regarding a “significant expansion of the High-Talent Pass list,” “further tightening of eligibility requirements for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme,” and “a substantial increase in investment thresholds for investor immigration” are merely market conjecture. The real changes may not necessarily involve raising the entry barriers, but rather raising the assessment standards for applicants“ ”value contribution.”

V. Sign No. 5: Investment Immigration and the “Capital + Residency” Dual-Track Plan

The 2025 Policy Address indicates that the New Capital Investor Immigration Scheme has been optimized: the amount of non-residential property that can be counted toward the investment threshold has been increased from 10 million HKD to 15 million HKD; The amount attributable to residential properties remains at HK$10 million, but the transaction price threshold for residential properties eligible for inclusion in the calculation has been lowered from HK$50 million to HK$30 million.

For applicants interested in obtaining residency through investment immigration, 2026 remains a window of opportunity for asset allocation. We recommend proceeding simultaneously on three fronts: establishing an investment structure, tax planning, and preparing for residency:

First, the investment structure. To allocate 30 million Hong Kong dollars in eligible financial assets in Hong Kong, you can seek assistance from professional institutions to set up accounts and manage your portfolio of funds, bonds, and stocks.

Second, tax planning. Tax treatment of investment income in Hong Kong, determination of resident status for cross-border income, and coordination with tax treaties with the Mainland must be completed prior to making the investment.

Third, prepare your identification. Although the investor immigration program does not require residency in Hong Kong, obtaining official resident status still involves renewal and permanent residency, so it is necessary to plan in advance for establishing ties to Hong Kong and making valuable contributions.

VI. Three Action Recommendations for the Pre-Policy Address Window Period

Action Recommendation 1: Don’t just wait for the Policy Address—conduct a self-assessment first. Compare your background—including your industry, skills, and resources—with Hong Kong’s key industrial sectors to assess whether there is an overlap with the city’s development. Those whose backgrounds align closely with innovation and technology, finance, international trade, and professional services are the groups prioritized by the policy. Those who are applying solely for residency status without a concrete plan to work or start a business in Hong Kong should consider their renewal options in advance and avoid submitting applications blindly.

Recommendation 2: In your application materials, focus on clearly articulating “what you can bring to Hong Kong.” Whether applying under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or the High-Talent Pass Scheme, do not simply list your academic credentials and work history. In your proposal, clearly outline the type of work or business you plan to pursue in Hong Kong; explain how your experience and resources can add value to Hong Kong’s industries; and detail your future development plans.

Recommendation 3: Prioritize planning ahead of renewal; do not wait until you have obtained your visa to scramble for solutions at the last minute. Obtaining a visa is only the first step; the 7-year permanent residency period constitutes a complete cycle. Plan in advance whether you will work in Hong Kong, start a business, conduct local operations, and how to maintain a substantial connection to Hong Kong. A “nominal” residency status lacking substantive ties will carry increasingly greater risks during future renewal processes. Qicaiying Group specializes in providing domestic and international company registration services in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, and other locations, as well as annual company audits, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax compliance, information changes, bank account opening, ODI filing, FDI filing, and other corporate services; Hong Kong residency application, renewal, and permanent residency services; Singapore EP application services; and cross-border e-commerce support and agency operations—all as part of our one-stop service. If you have any needs or are interested, please feel free to contact me at any time (Consultation Hotline: 18676749275, add me on WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan).

The key to navigating the 2026 Policy Address lies not in whether there will be major policy adjustments, but in whether applicants can understand the underlying logic behind the shift from “attracting talent” to “retaining talent.” Hong Kong still needs talent, but talent recruitment is shifting from “expanding scale” to “precision matching.” Preparing documents in advance, laying the groundwork for visa renewals, and establishing a solid foundation for life in Hong Kong—this is the most rational approach to navigating policy changes.