7th May 2025 – (Hong Kong) In response to a question from Hon Kingsley Wong in the Legislative Council, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr. Chris Sun, provided details about the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP). These schemes are designed for market-driven employment tied to job vacancies, allowing enterprises to hire outside talent when local recruitment proves difficult.
Over the past two years, the government received more than 67,000 applications under the GEP, approving nearly 63,000 and rejecting around 1,000. Approximately 70% of these approvals were for short-term positions lasting less than 12 months. For the ASMTP, about 53,000 applications were received, with around 47,000 approved and 600 rejected. Here, about 46% of approved applications were for short-term roles, while 54% were long-term.
Among those approved for long-term positions under the GEP, the tourism industry represented the largest sector, followed by academic research and financial services. In contrast, the ASMTP saw most approvals in commerce and trade, with a significant presence in financial services and education.
The majority of approved applicants had monthly salaries ranging from HK$20,000 to HK$39,999, with a notable number earning between HK$40,000 and HK$79,999. However, the Immigration Department does not maintain specific salary breakdowns as requested.
The government emphasised that all applications are assessed rigorously to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria, including remuneration levels that align with the local market at the time of application.
