Hong Kong’s new training visa could be available in first quarter of 2027

A new visa intended to attract international talent to participate in short-term training programmes in Hong Kong could become available as early as the first quarter of next year, the South China Morning Post has learned.

The last policy address of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s current term also put the spotlight on five existing or soon-to-launch academies that would seek to train overseas professionals and organise international events.

They and the new visa category were among a spate of new talent-trawling measures unveiled on Wednesday, with the latter to allow non-locals to take part in government-recognised training programmes lasting less than 12 months.

“It will advance Hong Kong’s development into a regional training hub,” an insider said.