A scheme to encourage professionals from the Chinese mainland to seek their career fortunes in Hong Kong has been launched.

Part of the lure to attract talent is the promise of permanent residency for those who spend seven years in the Special Administrative Region.

The exit-entry administration authorities of the mainland and Hong Kong adopted the new policy to encourage more mainland professionals to relocate.

To meet local manpower needs and enhance its competitiveness in the global market, on July 15 the Immigration Department of Hong Kong began to implement the Admission Scheme for Mainland Professionals.

Those mainland professionals eligible for the scheme must possess skills and knowledge not readily available or in short supply in Hong Kong.

Admitted professionals must contribute to the operation of the firms and sectors concerned with a view to facilitating economic development in Hong Kong.

It also caters for the entry of professionals in fields of arts, culture and sports as well as those with culinary expertise.

According to the new scheme, no threshold will be set on the profession and number of mainland professionals. Moreover, those from the mainland accepted by the scheme can be joined by their spouses or children under 18.

Mainland professionals who are interested in applying should submit their applications to HK employers or universities who in turn will present the application forms to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. It will take applicants four weeks to complete the application procedure.

(China Daily 07/17/2003 page1)