The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has launched a scheme to attract talents from overseas to help establish Hong Kong as the cutting edge technology hub of the region and to enhance the competitiveness of the territory's economy.

The scheme, which involves processing admission applications, is handled by the Immigration Department.

The department will start receiving applications from December 17, and they must be submitted by local companies on behalf of their prospective employees," a Government spokesman said today (December 16).

Application procedures, guidance notes and information pamphlets can be downloaded from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office's website at http://www.hketo.ca by clicking the icon "Admission of Talents Scheme" or from the Immigration Department's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/

The spokesman said it would normally take about three weeks for the Immigration Department to process an application, including consideration by the Selection Committee appointed by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

"Successful candidates will normally be granted employment entry permit/visa for 12 months upon entry, and their visas renewed if they apply for an extension early and if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria," the spokesman added.

For further information please contact Chief Information Officer, Frank Chuan.

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