Following is a question by the Hon Sunny Tan and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, in the Legislative Council today (May 13):

Question:

     It has been reported that there are over 50 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Mainland. There are views pointing out that, given the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan, many Mainland SMEs require support from Hong Kong in serving as a platform for them to go global. These Mainland SMEs also hope that they can send their staff to Hong Kong for training. However, under the existing visa arrangements for entry into Hong Kong for training, the Administration will only consider applications from Mainland residents who are employees and business associates of well-established and multinational companies based in Hong Kong. In addition, there are views pointing out that, while quite a number of the organisations in Hong Kong offer global internship opportunities or internship opportunities open for application by non-local university students, the existing mechanism for entry visas lacks a dedicated channel for Mainland students from leading Mainland universities to apply for visas to undertake internships in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will strengthen communications and collaborations with the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to expeditiously review and relax the eligibility criteria for entry visas for undergoing training in Hong Kong, so as to include Mainland residents who are employees and business associates of Mainland SMEs, thereby providing a more convenient visa application mechanism for them to undergo training in Hong Kong; and

(2) whether the Immigration Department will strengthen communications and collaborations with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau to study the establishment of a visa mechanism for internships in a wider range of industries targeting Mainland students from leading Mainland universities, by drawing on experience from the implementation of the GBA Fintech Two-way Internship Scheme for Post-secondary Students, with a view to effectively expanding the pool of high-calibre talents in Hong Kong?

Reply:

President,

     The Government is committed to building Hong Kong into an international hub for high calibre talents, with a view to fully leveraging Hong Kong's strategic role in "connecting with both the Mainland and the world", contributing to our country's high‑standard opening up, and better integrating into and serving the overall national development. While maintaining effective immigration control, the Government continues to enhance visa arrangements for entry, so as to facilitate the convergence of talents for exchanges in Hong Kong.

     In consultation with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and the Immigration Department (ImmD), my reply to the question raised by the Hon Tan is as follows:

(1) According to the prevailing entry policy for training, non-local persons may apply to enter Hong Kong for training for a limited period (not more than 12 months) to undergo employment-related activities such as on-the-job training, secondment or internship, with a view to acquiring special skills and knowledge not available in their country/territory of domicile. For Mainland residents, if they are Mainland employees and business associates of well-established and multinational companies based in Hong Kong, or if their applications are sponsored by bureaux/departments (B/Ds) or statutory bodies, they may also apply to enter Hong Kong for training.

     The entry arrangement for training aims at facilitating persons with genuine needs to enter Hong Kong for training, enabling them to acquire local knowledge, experience or skills. It also helps promote and consolidate Hong Kong's role in assisting Mainland enterprises in going global. This arrangement plays a vital role in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's competitive advantages and in developing the city into an international hub for high calibre talents.

     In 2025, a total of 6 938 applications for training visa/entry permit were approved by the ImmD, of which about 32 per cent (2 244 cases) were from Mainland residents. In the first quarter of 2026, a total of 1 582 applications for training visa/entry permit were approved by the ImmD, of which about 34 per cent (538 cases) were from Mainland residents.

     The Government reviews the entry arrangement for training from time to time, to ensure that the arrangement keeps pace with the times and meets the development needs of Hong Kong, while ensuring that the risks are manageable. In considering whether to further relax the entry arrangement, the Government will take into account the impact on the local workforce and training opportunities for local talents, as well as the risk of abuse (including illegal employment or exploitation of those coming for training in Hong Kong as cheap labour).

     The Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (Task Force) mentioned in the question was established in October 2025. The Task Force is steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development to co-ordinate efforts across relevant bureaux, departments and agencies, and work together to provide one-stop support for Mainland enterprises to go global through Hong Kong. As a member of the Task Force, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) supports Mainland enterprises in establishing presence in Hong Kong through assisting them in applying to relevant departments for the required documents, such as visas/entry permits for staff. In addition, InvestHK stays attuned to the challenges and difficulties faced by those enterprises when setting up businesses in Hong Kong, in order to timely reflect the issues to relevant departments for exploring suitable solutions as appropriate. The ImmD has been in communication with InvestHK and provided assistance to staff of Mainland enterprises in applying for visas/entry permits.

     The Government will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the entry arrangement for training, as well as the views of the relevant departments and sectors concerned, and timely review the entry arrangement for training to strike an appropriate balance between immigration control and facilitation.

(2) The GBA Fintech Two-way Internship Scheme for Post-secondary Students mentioned in the question was launched in 2023 by the FSTB through the existing entry arrangement for training. The internship programme subsidises, inter alia, Mainland students studying fintech-related subjects in post-secondary institutions in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to undertake internships at fintech companies in Hong Kong. Apart from this internship programme, the ImmD also actively collaborates with various B/Ds or their statutory bodies to enable Mainland students or youths to participate in internship programmes in relevant sectors through the entry arrangement for training, thereby expanding the talent pool of Hong Kong. These internship programmes include:

(a) The InnoTalent Programme launched by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) in 2020. Under this programme, university students from renowned Mainland and overseas institutions can participate in work shadowing at the HKPC, engaging in practical research and development (R&D) and project management work, as well as conducting field studies at factories and enterprises in the GBA. The programme covers cutting-edge fields such as new industrialisation, artificial intelligence (AI), green technology and smart cities;

(b) The STEM Internship Scheme launched by the ITC in 2020. The internship programme subsidises university students taking STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes in designated local universities to undertake short-term internships, thereby letting them to gain innovation and technology (I&T)-related work experience, including AI, biotechnology, fintech and other I&T areas, and fostering their interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation. In June 2023, the scheme was expanded to cover government-funded R&D centres and the HKPC, providing internship opportunities in Hong Kong for STEM students from both local and overseas universities (including GBA campuses established by designated local universities); and

(c) The GBA Youth Aviation Industry Internship Programme launched by the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (established and managed by the Airport Authority Hong Kong) in 2023. The internship programme paves the way for Mainland youths aspiring to pursue careers in the aviation industry within the GBA to undertake internships at the Hong Kong International Airport.

     The Government will continue to review various visa policies in a timely manner and, subject to the premise of ensuring effective immigration control, help facilitate more non-local talents in visiting Hong Kong for exchanges, thereby expanding the local pool of high-calibre talents and consolidating Hong Kong's role as a "super connector".

Ends/Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30

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