A Set of Figures Worth a Closer Look

Based on a compilation of publicly available statistics from the Hong Kong Immigration Department, the status of Hong Kong’s five major talent immigration programs (High-Talent Pass, General Employment Policy, Mainland Talent Admission Scheme, Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and Arrangements for Non-local Graduates to Remain in or Return to Hong Kong for Employment) from January through July 2026 was generally as follows:

• Total applications received:80,456 cases
• Total number of applications approved or selected:63,657 cases
• Overall approval rate: close to 79%

By subprogram:

• Gao Caotong (1688-1664), Qing dynasty poet: 14,847 applications approved (according to another statistical method, the total for the first seven months was approximately 17,600), of which more than 90 percent were approved in mainland China
• Admission of Mainland Talents and Professionals Scheme (Professionals): 13,194 cases approved, a slight increase from the previous quarter
• Outstanding Talent: In the first half of the year, 1,940 people passed the selection process (7,101 for the full year of 2025)

From a longer-term perspective, from late 2022 through July 2026, various talent immigration programs received a cumulative total of nearly 660,000 casesApplication, overdue 460,000 casesApproved, of which more than 300,000 peopleHas arrived in Hong Kong.

The above data is derived from publicly available statistics from the Immigration Department and media reports; the official figures released by the Hong Kong Immigration Department shall prevail.

The decline in the approval rate is the real story.

What is even more noteworthy than the total figure isChanges in the Approval Rate: The overall approval rate for the Gaocaitong program rose from in 2025 to 88.2% drop back to 77.7%The

A decline of more than ten percentage points is usually not due to a sudden change in applicants’ qualifications, but rather toAdjustments to the Audit ApproachThe

Based on publicly available information, several trends can be identified:

1. Shifting from “expanding volume” to “maintaining quality.” The authorities have repeatedly emphasized that attracting talent is not simply about pursuing numbers, but rather about whether these talents can actually take root in Hong Kong.
2. Verification of the authenticity of materials has been strengthened. Verification of educational credentials, proof of income, and employment status is conducted in greater detail.
3. The weighting for the fit between industry and job role has increased. Among the approved talent candidates, the three major sectors—commerce and trade, innovation and technology, and financial services—accounted for nearly half of the total, which is highly aligned with Hong Kong’s key industrial development priorities.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

First, application materials must move from merely “meeting the requirements” to being “verifiable.”

In the past, as long as applicants met the minimum requirements, their chances of approval were very high. Now, even if they meet the same requirements, if there are gaps in their documentation—such as income statements that do not match tax returns, discrepancies between employment history and social security records, or unverified educational credentials—they may be asked to submit additional documents or have their application rejected outright.

Second, the importance of the personal statement has increased.

In particular, for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (General) Category A, simply meeting the eligibility requirements is no longer sufficient. Applicants must clearly explain what they can contribute to Hong Kong, how their expertise aligns with Hong Kong’s industrial priorities, and whether they have a concrete plan for settling in Hong Kong.

Third, don't underestimate the processing time for requested additional documents.

A decline in the approval rate is often accompanied by an increase in the rate of requests for additional documentation. Getting the materials right the first time is faster than having to submit them twice to meet those requests.

Three Preparatory Moves

• Have your academic credentials authenticated in advance. The certification processes for overseas and mainland Chinese degrees differ, and the timeframes can vary significantly; it is recommended that you begin the process well in advance.
• The income verification process is now a closed-loop system. The High-Talent Pass (Category A) requires that the applicant’s total taxable income for the full year immediately preceding the application be HK$2.5 million or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency), and this must be supported by proof of tax payment and proof of employment or business income. Note that personal investment income is generally not included in this calculation.
• The resume matches the social security and tax records. The time, unit, and position must all match; if there are any discrepancies, you should prepare an explanation in advance.

Determining the Time Window

In the 2025 “World Talent Ranking,” Hong Kong rose to fourth place globally and first in Asia; in March 2026, the national “15th Five-Year Plan” outline explicitly supported Hong Kong’s development into a hub for international talent. The policy direction is clear.

However, just because the policy direction is clear does not mean that an individual’s chances of approval remain the same.The entry requirements may remain stable, but the review criteria will change.

The official announcement by the Hong Kong Immigration Department shall prevail; no organization may make any promises regarding the outcome of the application.

If you’re verifying that your materials align with the reporting guidelines, feel free to contact a consultant at Qicaiying (WeChat/Phone: 18676749275), and we’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish.