Hong Kong has no plans to impose an overall cap on people arriving through its various talent admission schemes, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on September 11, 2026. His comments followed a proposal by University of Hong Kong researcher Eric Fong to limit immigration according to the city’s capacity.
Fong, director of the university’s Research Hub of Population Studies, also suggested regular industry evaluations to identify sectors facing talent shortages. Sun said there were no plans for an overall cap.
Sun said the schemes broadly cover two types. Work-related programmes involve applicants whose jobs are processed through employers, while talent-specific programmes assess individual qualifications, including high incomes or graduation from top universities.
He said visa renewals provide a further check on whether participants have secured employment or established companies. Sun also said additional talent could contribute to Hong Kong’s economy and community.
Around 530,000 people, including dependants, had moved to Hong Kong through various talent schemes in the three-and-a-half years up to June, according to official data cited by RTHK.
The comments came as a five-day Global Innovation and Technology Talent Greater Bay Area study tour concluded on September 11. The tour involved 20 representatives from European technology organisations and different countries, who visited innovation facilities in Hong Kong, Shenzhen’s Qianhai and Guangzhou’s Nansha. Participants visited Cyberport, Hong Kong Science Park and areas linked to the Northern Metropolis, and met research institutions, technology companies and start-ups.