HK authorities require talent scheme applicants to submit criminal records after revoking work visa of controversial scientist

Applicants to Hong Kong's new talent scheme will now have to submit their criminal records or histories as the authorities adjusted the application requirements after a controversial scientist who served a prison sentence for illegally editing babies' genes had his application revoked. 

This comes as He Jiankui, a controversial scientist who was sentenced to three years in prison and fined HK$3.42m for illegally editing babies' genes in China, told Ming Pao on Monday that his application under Hong Kong’s new talent scheme had been granted. Hong Kong's labour chief Chris Sun told local media on Tuesday that it was not appropriate for him to comment on individual cases and the application process' final decision is made by the director of Immigration Department. However, Sun admitted that the new talent scheme does not require applicants to submit their criminal offence records. 

This has drawn public outcry across social platforms as many HongKongers questioned if this would turn Hong Kong into the paradise of fugitives. Media intelligence firm CARMA saw a total of 26.2% negative mentions related to the discussions on the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) over the past 24 hours. In particular, the revoke of He’s top talent pass has sparked a significant wave of discussion across social media.

"Netizens generally expressed their disappointment, with some lamenting that instead of bringing in skilled individuals, the scheme seems to have attracted people who are exploiting loopholes," said Charles Cheung, CARMA's HK GM.

"Many appeared to be concerned with the application process of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) as this loophole could have endangered the safety of residents in Hong Kong. Some also discussed the 'strategy' shared by a pregnant Mainland citizen, who managed to take advantage of the loopholes to give birth to her child in Hong Kong," added Cheung. 

Social listening firm Meltwater also saw a total of 959 mentions across social platforms over the past week, with 18.1% negative sentiments and 8.7% positive sentiments. 

A day after, the Immigration Department said it has revoked He's application as it suspected him of providing false statements on his application. A follow-up criminal investigation will also be conducted regarding the incident. Meanwhile, Sun also posted on Facebook that applicants to the talent scheme will now be required to submit criminal records and histories starting 22 February. For applications that are not yet approved, those applicants will also be required to submit relevant information. 

Don't miss: HK's labour chief says new talent scheme receives ‘enthusiastic response’

The scheme, which was open for applications in December 2022, seeks to attract top talents with rich work experience and good academic qualifications from all over the world to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. Under the Scheme, eligible people who wish to apply to enter Hong Kong will not be required to have secured an offer of employment in the city and can be granted 24 month's stay.

The eligibility criteria include persons with annual income reaching HK$2.5 million and above in the year immediately preceding the date of application, or degree graduates of the world's top 100 universities with at least three years of work experience over the past five years. Meanwhile, the degree holders of the top 100 universities with less than three years of working experience are subject to an annual quota of the scheme, which is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Related articles:

Study: Nearly one-third of HK businesses see talent gaps as top barrier for digital transformation
Hong Kong expands visitor facilitation scheme to lure non-local talents