Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)

The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS) is a specialized immigration program launched to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector. TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement to bring in non-local technology experts by pre-approving quotas to qualified companies, thereby simplifying and expediting the employment visa process for tech talent. Introduced in 2018, this scheme is part of Hong Kong’s strategy to accelerate growth in key tech fields (like AI, biotechnology, fintech, etc.) by ensuring companies can readily access global talent in these areas.

How TechTAS Works

Unlike general employment visas which are handled case-by-case, TechTAS operates through a quota system for companies:

1. Company Applies for Quota: Eligible technology companies (or institutions) in Hong Kong first apply to the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) for a quota under TechTAS . The company must be engaged in designated technology areas and likely be a tenant or incubatee of certain tech parks or programs (initially, it was focused on companies at the Hong Kong Science & Technology Park or Cyberport, but it may have broadened). They submit a proposal of their R&D staffing needs.

2. Quota Allocation: If ITC is satisfied that the company genuinely needs to bring in overseas talent for R&D roles, it grants a certain number of quota slots, typically valid for 12 to 24 months . Each quota slot entitles the company to sponsor one non-local person for an R&D position without the usual labor market vetting.

3. Talent Admission: Once a company has a quota, it can identify suitable overseas candidates and then directly sponsor their employment visa under TechTAS. The Immigration Department will still check the individual’s credentials and basic immigration requirements, but the hiring is fast-tracked since the company’s need is pre-approved . The company must use the quota within its validity (e.g., within 24 months).

Eligibility Criteria

To utilize TechTAS for a candidate, certain criteria must be met for both the company and the candidate :

• Eligible Company and Quota: The employer must be a TechTAS-approved company with a valid quota at the time of application . Companies are generally in specified tech domains such as: artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, biotechnology, fintech (financial technology), data analytics, cyber security, Internet of Things (IoT), digital entertainment, green technology, advanced communications, material science, microelectronics, etc. . The scheme enumerates these areas to target skills in cutting-edge fields.

• Eligible Position: The job role offered to the candidate must be technology-related and principally involved in R&D in those eligible domains . The quota allotment letter from ITC for the company will outline what kind of positions can be filled (e.g., a quota might be granted to hire “up to 5 AI specialists working on machine learning R&D”). The individual hired must fit that need.

• Qualifications of Candidate: The candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) from a well-recognized university . Higher qualifications (Master’s, PhD) are common among applicants, given the R&D focus. In some cases, if the person has very rich technical experience, a degree requirement might be flexed, but generally a STEM degree is expected.

• Salary and Conditions: The terms of employment (salary, etc.) should be in line with market norms for that position in Hong Kong . TechTAS isn’t meant to undercut local salaries; it’s about filling shortages. So remuneration must be comparable to local hires in similar roles.

• Other Requirements: The candidate must meet normal immigration standards (e.g., no criminal record). Also, the company has an obligation under TechTAS to provide local interns with opportunities (a training or local talent development element is built in, where companies taking advantage of TechTAS are encouraged to nurture local graduates as well).

Advantages and Visa Conditions

The primary advantage of TechTAS is speed and certainty. Companies do the heavy lifting once (obtaining the quota), after which bringing in each individual tech talent is much quicker than the standard work visa process. This helps companies onboard researchers or developers in weeks rather than months, keeping pace with project timelines.

Successful applicants under TechTAS receive an employment visa with a validity typically matching the initial employment contract, often one year extendable or up to three years. Extensions are possible as with normal work visas, provided the person remains in the tech role at that company (or if moving to another company, that new company would need either its own TechTAS quota or use the normal GEP route). TechTAS visas are tied to the specific employer and area of work.

For the Hong Kong economy, TechTAS helps attract niche experts – for example, a company can quickly hire an overseas AI scientist for a new project. For the individual, the visa conditions are the same as other employment visas (they can bring dependents, etc., and time spent counts towards the 7 years for permanent residency).

Conclusion

TechTAS represents Hong Kong’s commitment to bolster innovation by easing immigration hurdles in talent-scarce tech sectors. It has been well-received by tech companies, research labs, and startups as it directly addresses the competitive global market for tech talent. By aligning immigration policy with innovation policy, Hong Kong aims to become a more attractive location for cutting-edge industries. TechTAS, together with other initiatives (like R&D subsidies and innovation hubs), forms an ecosystem to drive Hong Kong’s technology development.