I. Talent Admission in Hong Kong: Strategic Transformation from "Scale Competition" to "Value Binding"

By December 31, 2025, the cumulative number of applications received by Hong Kong under the various talent admission schemes will exceed570,000 caseswhich400,000 casesApproved, approximately260,000 talents and their familieshave arrived and settled in Hong Kong. This remarkable success is directly reflected in international evaluations - the 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Ranking by the Lausanne School of Management in Switzerland shows that Hong Kong has jumped from the 9th place in the world to4th placeThe team is the best in history and leads the way in Asia.

However, having succeeded in attracting a large number of talents, Hong Kong's policy focus has undergone a fundamental shift.2026 The implementation of the New Deal in January signaled Hong Kong's shift from "scramble for talent"Full turnaround"retain talent" stage. The policy logic has shifted from the pursuit of quantitative growth to the screening of companies that can be deeply tied to Hong Kong's key industries and make substantive contributions"associate"rather than a short-term `passer-by'".

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Second, the core of the new 2026 policy: more stringent screening and clearer incentives

1. Strategic transformation: from "recruiting talent" to "selecting value"

Over the past three years, Hong Kong has attracted more than 230,000 talents through programs such as Premium Talent and High Talent Pass, contributing HK$34 billion to the economy annually.The 2025 Policy Address builds "Strict renewal + strong incentives"system, the five major channels (merit, senior, professional, study and investment immigration) are still open, but the implicit threshold has been significantly raised.

2. Core alignment: "two sites, two bills" to target substantive contributions

The Immigration Department's implementation of the "Two sites and two orders"A system of verification of hard indicators:

• proof of address: Minimum 6 months lease required (with stamp duty) + utility bills
• business address: Self-employed must have a commercial lease (≥3 years), virtual address prohibited
• salaries tax bill: Recommended monthly salary ≥HK$20,000 for general positions and ≥HK$40,000 for high-end positions
• profits tax bill: Self-employment requires audited financial statements, annual turnover ≥ 3 million Hong Kong dollars easier to be approved

3. Privileges for top talents: the more you contribute, the more benefits you get.

• High-income groups: Previous year's salaries tax ≥ HK$2,000,000, can directly obtain "3+5" or "3+6" long term visa
• Shortage of industry talent: Practitioners of 60 items of "talent list" such as fintech, AI, etc. will be exempted from some of the documents for the renewal of their visas.
• Family Office: Assets under management ≥ HK$240 million, enjoying special treatment such as tax exemptions

Hi ~ I am the customer service of Enterprise Finance Group! We provide domestic (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.) company registration, overseas (Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) company registration, Hong Kong identity application and renewal services, while covering the cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs, such as the whole chain of corporate services. Contact me at any time if you have the need.Tel: 16620947137, WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan (can be added by direct search)

Three, five application paths in detail: find your best channel

1. Hong Kong Talent Scheme: abolition of the marking scheme and introduction of the "12 criteria" instead

• Requirements for application: Meet at least 6 of the 12 assessment criteria, with a focus on STEM majors, corporate experience, and high income.
• Renewal model: "3+3+2" for ordinary applicants; "3+5" for top talents (annual salary ≥ HK$2 million)
• Suitable for people: Strong general skills and willingness to plan for the long term

2. Hong Kong Highly Talented Persons (HSP) Scheme: Clear differentiation in fast-tracking

• Category A: Income ≥ HK$2.5 million in the year before application (extended to 3 years for first visa in 2026)
• Category B/C: Undergraduate graduation from a globally qualified university (list expanded to 200 by 2026)
• Key to renewal: You must actually work or start a business in Hong Kong, the rejection rate of empty companies is extremely high.
• Important data: The renewal rate of the first batch of High Talent Pass is about 941 TP3T, but the pass rate of Category C fresh graduates is only 401 TP3T

3. Hong Kong Professionals Scheme: Employer Sponsorship Pathway

• Core requirements: have been employed by Hong Kong employers and the positions match local needs
• dominance: Relatively low threshold and short approval cycle (2-4 months)
• take note of: Highly dependent on employer stability

4. Further Study in Hong Kong: Dual Enhancement of Academic Status

• trails: Full-time Postgraduate Program → Graduate with IANG Visa → Stay in Hong Kong and Work
• New Deal (Roosevelt's 1933 policy deal with the Great Depression): Relaxation of part-time job restrictions for non-local students in 2025, and graduates from institutions in the Greater Bay Area can apply for IANG visas directly
• suitability: Young people wishing to upgrade their qualifications and gradually acquire an identity

5. New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Exclusive High Net Worth Corridor

• investment requirement: HK$30 million in designated assets, of which at least HK$3 million is invested in science and technology
• dominance: No academic, language or work experience requirements
• suitability: People who are asset-rich and whose primary goal is allocation

Hi ~ I am the customer service of Enterprise Finance Group! We provide domestic (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.) company registration, overseas (Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) company registration, Hong Kong identity application and renewal services, while covering the cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs, such as the whole chain of corporate services. Contact me at any time if you have the need.Tel: 16620947137, WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan (can be added by direct search)

IV. Talented vs. Highly Qualified: Six Key Differences

Hi ~ I am the customer service of Enterprise Finance Group! We provide domestic (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.) company registration, overseas (Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) company registration, Hong Kong identity application and renewal services, while covering the cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs, such as the whole chain of corporate services. Contact me at any time if you have the need.Tel: 16620947137, WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan (can be added by direct search)

V. Entrepreneurial self-employment renewal: real operations are the only way forward

The core of entrepreneurial renewal under the New Deal 2026 is "Real business + substantial contribution". The Immigration Department is vetted through six dimensions:

1. physical office: Real leases, shared workstations are acceptable but full proof is required
2. Operational realism: Complete business closed loop, average monthly water proposal ≥ HK$30,000
3. economic contribution: Tax records + local employment (at least 1 full-time employee)
4. Applicant participation: Required to be a director or shareholder, directly involved in operations
5. Financial Compliance:: Annual audit reports, prohibition of chronic "zero filing"
6. Residency: Proof of address + spending history + reasonable frequency of entry and exit

Low Cost Compliance Strategies::

• Utilizing business start-up subsidies: 50% reduction in non-residential utility bills, license fee waiver
• Financing Support: 80% Loan Guarantee from SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
• Tax incentives: 8.25% on the first 2 million profits (maintained until 2027)

Hi ~ I am the customer service of Enterprise Finance Group! We provide domestic (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.) company registration, overseas (Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) company registration, Hong Kong identity application and renewal services, while covering the cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs, such as the whole chain of corporate services. Contact me at any time if you have the need.Tel: 16620947137, WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan (can be added by direct search)

VI. Golden window: now is the best time to apply

The data up to the end of 2025 show that Hong Kong has been effective in attracting talents:

• High Achiever Program: Cumulative approvals exceeded 120,000, accounting for about 30% of total approvals.
• Talent Characteristics: median age 35, over 70% below 40 (overall median age 49 in Hong Kong)
• Willingness to renew: Application rate of the first batch of Highly Talented Persons (HSP) visa renewals was about 53%, with an approval rate of 94%.

However, as the policy shifts from "lenient admission" to "stringent screening", the "golden path" of simply meeting the basic thresholds is narrowing, and in the early stages of the new policy in 2026, there will be unprecedented opportunities for applicants with genuine entrepreneurial ability, technological expertise or capital ability who are willing to establish long-term ties with Hong Kong. At the initial stage of the implementation of the New Deal in 2026, applicants with genuine entrepreneurial ability, technical expertise or capital momentum, and who are willing to establish long-term ties with Hong Kong, will instead enjoy unprecedented opportunities to apply for the New Deal.Strategic windowThe

Hi ~ I am the customer service of Enterprise Finance Group! We provide domestic (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.) company registration, overseas (Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) company registration, Hong Kong identity application and renewal services, while covering the cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs, such as the whole chain of corporate services. Contact me at any time if you have the need.Tel: 16620947137, WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan (can be added by direct search)

VII. Specialized assessment: choosing the best path for you

Hong Kong's status has changed from a relaxed "get-it-or-get-it" channel to a "get-it-or-get-it" channel.The more you contribute, the more you get"The value exchange system. The key to future success lies in the ability to realize a deep bond with Hong Kong with high-paying jobs, patents in science and technology or proof of family settlement.

It is important to conduct a professional assessment before applying, to choose the most suitable path according to your own conditions (education, income, assets, industry background), and to plan in advance the chain of evidence of the "substantial connection" required for the renewal of the visa.