【Policy Address】Deadline for Top Talent Pass holders to find jobs postponed as initial visa validity extended from two years to three
【施政報告】「高才」搵工死線獲推遲 首個簽證期限由2年延長至3年
The Top Talent Pass Scheme is regarded as the best route to becoming a “new Hong Konger”, as applications are processed quickly and the entry threshold is low. However, many top-talent applicants discovered after arriving in Hong Kong that finding a job was difficult and living costs were high, and posted negative messages on Xiaohongshu. This year was originally the critical period for the first batch of Top Talent Pass applicants to renew their visas, requiring them to prove that they had employment or had started a business before their visas could be extended. In the Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee announced what was described as good news: the initial visa validity period under the Top Talent Pass Scheme would be extended from two years to three. In other words, unemployed top-talent applicants would have an additional year to find work.
「高才通」是成為「新香港人」的最佳管道，不但申請快，而且門檻亦低。惟不少「高才」抵港後才發現香港搵工難、生活費高，在「小紅書」發放負面訊息。本來今年是首批「高才通」申請者續簽的「年關」，必須證明自己有工作或創業，簽證才能延期。特首李家超在《施政報告》宣布「佳音」，就是將高才通首個簽證期限，由兩年延長至三年。換言之，遭遇失業的「高才」可以有多一年搵工。