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Hong Kong is an attractive city for many talents because of the many varieties of opportunities available in the city.
Each year, the Hong Kong government would make a list of objectives to commit to, and in order to achieving the goals, they will need assistance from talents from certain industries. Those specific areas will then become high demand and professionals from these fields are needed the most in this vibrant city.
The Hong Kong government has put together the Talent List, focuses on attracting high quality talents from these fields to come to support Hong Kong’s development in the areas, and to add values and diversities to the city’s economy. They are the following 11 professions (information from the Hong Kong Talent List official website):
1. Waste Treatment Specialists
“The Government has a medium term commitment to waste management by 2022.”
There are opportunities for experienced waste treatment specialists with expertise in planning, implementing, coordinating and evaluating comprehensive waste management systems that are designed to maximise waste prevention, reuse and recycling.
2. Asset Management Professionals
“Strong growth of the sector due to growth in Asia, financial market liberalization in the Mainland and government policy to strengthen the sector.”
There are opportunities for experienced investment analysts and investment consultants with expertise in researching into investment opportunities and building investment portfolios.
There are also demand for experienced fund managers with expertise in supervising administration of fund portfolios and implementing investment and distribution policies.
3. Marine Insurance Professionals
“Policy objective to further enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international Maritime Centre.”
There are demands for experienced professionals in marine insurance with expertise in supervising the preparation of valuations and reports, management the formulation of insurance policies, running day-to-day underwriting team, covering new business, monitoring binder progress and claims management, finding ways to grow accounts through competitive pricing and excellent service.
4. Actuaries
“Increasing demand for experienced professional actuaries to meet market development.”
Opportunities available for expertise who can carry out actuarial valuation related to product pricing, assets and liabilities management and liabilities management and risk management, and supervising the preparation of valuations and reports.
5. Fintech Professionals
“The Fintech sector is a fast-growing sector with expansion potentials. To maintain Hong Kong’s status as a premier international financial centre, Hong Kong requires Fintech talents, particularly those in research and development to remain competitive with other financial centres.”
Opportunities have open up for experienced professionals in Fintech with expertise in conducting a broad range of tasks related to application of technology to financial services and relevant research and development, including distributed ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, big data and cybersecurity.
6. Data Scientists and Cyber Security Specialists
“Experienced data scientists and cyber security specialists are of critical importance to the ICT development in Hong Kong.”
There are two types of talents needed in Hong Kong…
Experienced data scientists with expertise in working with large datasets (Big Data); and using machine learning and statistical methods, etc to meet client business needs; developing and implementing statistical tools to build predictive models.
Also experienced cyber security specialists with expertise in designing and maintaining information security technology, standards and policy; supporting the front-line defence; carrying out assessment and auditing the security implementation.
7. Innovation and Technology Experts
“Innovation and technology experts are crucial in supporting the comprehensive I&T development in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong is after I&T experts to lead a broad range of tasks related to research and development in relevant innovation fields, including but not limited to pharmaceutical and life science/biotechnology; data engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, distributed ledger technologies, biometric technologies, industrial/chemical engineering; and materials science/nanotechnology.
8. Naval Architects
“Demand for sustainable development of Hong Kong as a leading international maritime centre to assist in providing high value-added maritime services in maritime consultancy firms, ship management companies or classification societies and local shipyards.”
Hong Kong needs Naval Architects with expertise in studying and preparing specification for the building, conversion or repair of ships or offshore structures; supervising their overall design, construction, maintenance and repair; and advising on the certification and registration of vessels.
9. Marine Engineers and Superintendents of Ships
“Growth in the high value-added ship management sector in Hong Kong.”
Opportunities available for Marine Engineers and Superintendents of Ships with expertise in the overall management and technical operations of assigned fleet in a safe and profitable manner, who may also work in the classification societies or as private surveyors to conduct statutory certification and surveys throughout the ship's life.
10. Creative Industries Professionals
“The industry is tapping market potential brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Development and the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance Hong Kong’s strength as a trend-setting creative capital in the region.”
High demand for roles such as:
Recording Engineers with expertise in recording, editing and mixing audio.
Mastering Engineers with expertise in fine-tuning recorded music.
Cutting/pressing Engineers for vinyl LP with expertise in producing top quality records and Long Plate records.
Game development experts with expertise in various aspects of a game’s creation.
Game Producers with expertise in setting direction and strategy of the game, managing production team and assuring quality.
Professionals in film industry with expertise in various roles for film pre-production, production and or post-production and are winners of designated renowned international film festivals.
11. Dispute Resolution Professionals and Transactional Lawyers
“High development potentials in Hong Kong given its position as an international dispute resolution services centre.”
Hong Kong welcomes…
Dispute resolution professionals who specialises in resolving international financial and investor-state disputes.
Arbitrators with expertise in rendering final and binding decision at the conclusion of arbitral proceedings.
Mediators with expertise in assisting the parties to the dispute to reach a negotiated settlement.
Transactional lawyers from outside Hong Kong possessing specialised knowledge of and experience in cross-border transactions from investing or host states.
If you come from one of these professions, Hong Kong will be the perfect place for you to build your career/ business. You can also take advantage of Hong Kong’s free economy and competitive tax system.
There are 3 types of visas in Hong Kong that you can apply for:
If you have managed to secured an employment in Hong Kong, you will need to apply for the Hong Kong Employment Visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP) or under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).
If you have not yet successfully found a job in Hong Kong, you may apply for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS). This is a quota-based entrant scheme. Eligible applicants who meet the requirements of the Talent List can be awarded 30 bonus points to their General Points Test.
If you wish to set up your own business in Hong Kong, you can consider to apply for the Investment Visa for Entrepreneurs.
To find out which scheme is right for you, book a consultation with one of our visa consultants.