It is only when a city has a strong attraction that a positive net inflow of talents can be realized.
According to the statistics of the Hong Kong Immigration Department, last year, more than 140 000 people obtained Hong Kong status through various talent schemes. Among them are world-renowned sports celebrities and celebrity artists, as well as elites from all walks of life, especially those from the Mainland.
So, what makes Hong Kong so attractive?
01
High salary + low tax
According to the Global Wealth Report 2024 released by UBS, the average assets of adults in Hong Kong amount to US$582,000, ranking third in the world, and there is one million-dollar tycoon in every 10 adults.
This result stems from Hong Kong's high salary advantage and attractive tax policies for high net worth individuals.
Salary is one of the indicators of a region's affluence, and Hong Kong's high salaries have always been on the minds of mainlanders.
According to the list of “Highest/Lowest Average Salary Countries in the World in 2024” published by the business magazine CEOWORLD Magazine, the average monthly salary in Hong Kong is about US$3,070, and the salaries of elites in various fields are even much higher. On the other hand, the average monthly salary in the Mainland is only about US$1,122, which is only one-third of that in Hong Kong.
In terms of taxation, Hong Kong has a low and simple tax regime, with a maximum personal income tax rate of only 17% and a corporate income tax rate of 16.5%. In addition, Hong Kong is exempt from capital gains tax, gift tax, estate duty, value-added tax, sales tax and business tax.
02
Children's Education
The language environment in Hong Kong is characterized by “biliteracy and trilingualism”, which can effectively cultivate children's international outlook and cross-cultural communication skills.
In terms of further education, Hong Kong offers three pathways to top universities: DSE, Joint Entrance Examination for Overseas Chinese Students (JEE) and IB.
In addition, if you study in Hong Kong universities, the admission rate of local students is much higher than that of non-local students, and the tuition fee is only about one-fourth of that of non-local students;
For Mainland universities, the competitive pressure and difficulty of the examination are lower than that of the Mainland's Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
If enrolled in prestigious overseas universities, the admission rate of Hong Kong students applying for prestigious overseas universities is also higher. For example, the admission data of the University of Cambridge in 2023 showed that the admission rate of Hong Kong students among international students was higher than that of Mainland students.
03
Development Opportunities
Hong Kong's vast opportunities and increasingly optimized business environment are also one of the reasons why high-caliber talents are coming to Hong Kong.
From a capital market perspective, Hong Kong has the obvious advantages of being a springboard into the Mainland China and Asian markets, an innovative city of diversity and openness, and a cosmopolitan metropolis where East meets West.
Nowadays, Hong Kong is developing the northern metropolitan area to create an “international new city of innovation and technology”, which will form an industrial pattern of “south finance, north science and technology”, with unlimited opportunities!
Northern Metro Area:
Covering Yuen Long and North Districts, the area is about 30,000 hectares, accounting for one-third of the total area of Hong Kong. In the future, it will be developed into an area integrating quality life, industrial development, culture and leisure. With its proximity to Shenzhen's core innovation and technology zone and seven border control points, the area is an important platform for Hong Kong's cooperation with cities in the Greater Bay Area. It will eventually develop into a metropolitan area accommodating a population of 2.5 million and providing 650,000 jobs.
04
Talent Program
As a result, Hong Kong has become an “ideal city” for many talents from around the world. To attract talents from all over the world, the Hong Kong Government has launched and optimized a number of talent admission schemes.
Mainstream programs include:
? Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
? The High-end Talent Pass Scheme;
? New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
? Admission of Mainland Talents and Professionals Scheme;
? Arrangements for non-local graduates to stay in/return to Hong Kong for employment.
Over the past two years, more than 270,000 people have acquired Hong Kong status through the above talent admission schemes and are now living and working in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is becoming a “second home” for talents from a “place to work”.
If you want to apply for Hong Kong status, welcome to contact Nebula Hai International, we will provide you with customized solutions.
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