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The Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address contains a significant package of measures affecting workforce planning, recruitment, immigration, skills development, youth hiring, labour importation, MPF, employee protection and family support.
The Labour and Welfare Bureau will publish a mid-term update of the Manpower Projection analysing the impact of AI adoption on Hong Kong’s labour market. The Government will develop upskilling, manpower training and reskilling support accordingly.
Upskill Hong Kong will launch an 18-month AI upskilling campaign in the first half of 2027. A free online course will focus on workplace AI applications, followed by free short-term advanced industry courses for eligible participants.
The programme is expected to benefit around 40,000 employees.
Upskill Hong Kong will publish the first phase of a skills-based training framework in Q1 2027. The Government will also begin a review of the Continuing Education Fund within the first year after Upskill Hong Kong is established.
The Government will provide an extra HK$1,000 monthly training allowance to no fewer than 5,600 registered apprentices in 2027-28 and 2028-29. Around 4,000 construction technology training places will also be provided in the 2026/27 academic year.
The Government and business sector will launch a two-year programme to create employment and internship opportunities for young people, particularly those with limited or no work experience.
The Government will consider adding more AI-application talent categories to the Talent List, which currently covers 60 professions with local shortages.
Technology start-up founders supported by designated public-sector organisations will receive more flexible extension-of-stay treatment under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, including exemption from certain company-income proof requirements.
The pilot arrangement bringing graduates from GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates will be extended for two years.
The Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons will expand from ASEAN to countries and regions in Central Asia and the Middle East, with all bureaux and departments able to issue invitations under the Scheme.
READ: Hong Kong’s Expat Comeback: What It Means for Employers Hiring Across Asia
The mid-term Manpower Projection indicates tight manpower across most key industries, including innovation and technology, aviation, health services and construction, against the longer-term impact of population ageing.
The Government will continue protecting local employment while allowing limited labour importation. The stricter Tier 2 vetting mechanism may be extended to more industries and posts as necessary.
A new digital ESLS application platform will strengthen data collection and monitoring of employer compliance.
The Government will intensify action against illegal employment, including technology-enabled investigation and enforcement.
The Government is developing legislation to provide statutory work-injury compensation for digital-platform workers engaged in food and goods delivery.
The Government will strengthen occupational safety and health enforcement, particularly in construction, including surprise inspections and greater use of safety technologies.
An amendment bill is planned by the end of the year to improve recovery of default MPF contributions from employers. Phase One of MPF Full Portability is scheduled for implementation this year, with a legislative proposal being prepared for Phase Two.
The Government will provide additional resources so eligible participants can receive the Re-employment Allowance, with a mid-term review of the scheme due by year-end.
The Policy Address introduces 11 measures to promote fertility and support families, several of which are directly relevant to employees and total-reward communication.
As Hong Kong’s employment landscape evolves, businesses may need to rethink how they hire, manage, pay and support their workforce for both locally and across markets.
From HR outsourcing and payroll to recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR), visa and immigration, and workforce advisory, we help businesses navigate changing workforce needs at every stage of growth. And with our EOR coverage now expanded to 100+ locations, we can support your hiring ambitions across more markets through one trusted partner.
Planning your workforce strategy for 2027? Let’s talk about how we can support your next step.
1. What are the key HR changes in the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address?
The Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address introduces measures affecting workforce planning, AI skills development, youth employment, talent attraction, labour importation, MPF, worker protection and family support. Employers should review their recruitment, learning and development, payroll, mobility and workforce strategies ahead of 2027.
2. What is the Upskill Hong Kong programme and when will it start?
Upskill Hong Kong is an 18-month AI upskilling initiative expected to launch in the first half of 2027. It will provide a free online course on workplace AI applications, followed by advanced industry-specific training for eligible participants, with around 40,000 employees expected to benefit.
3. What employment subsidies are available under Hong Kong’s 2027 youth employment programme?
Hong Kong plans to create 30,000 employment, internship and training opportunities for young people. Measures include 10,000 additional full-time jobs with wage support of HK$6,000 per month or up to one-third of salary for six months, more than 10,000 subsidised internships and 10,000 on-the-job training places for professional graduates.
4. How will the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address affect talent recruitment and immigration?
The Government is considering adding more AI-related occupations to the Talent List, relaxing certain Top Talent Pass Scheme extension requirements for eligible technology founders, extending arrangements for graduates from GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities, and expanding immigration facilitation to additional markets in Central Asia and the Middle East.
5. What MPF changes should Hong Kong employers prepare for?
Hong Kong plans to strengthen recovery of default MPF contributions and implement Phase One of MPF Full Portability in 2026, while preparing legislation for Phase Two. Employers should review MPF contribution controls, payroll processes and employee records to prepare for the changes.
6. What family-friendly measures were announced in the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address?
The Policy Address includes measures covering newborn support, tax allowances, childcare and family-friendly employment. Second or subsequent children born on or after 16 September 2026 are eligible for a HK$30,000 newborn bonus for three years, while qualifying child allowances will increase from HK$140,000 to HK$160,000 from the 2026/27 year.
1. AI Workforce Planning Becomes an HR Priority
The Labour and Welfare Bureau will publish a mid-term update of the Manpower Projection analysing the impact of AI adoption on Hong Kong’s labour market. The Government will develop upskilling, manpower training and reskilling support accordingly.
2. Around 40,000 Employees to Receive AI Upskilling Support
Upskill Hong Kong will launch an 18-month AI upskilling campaign in the first half of 2027. A free online course will focus on workplace AI applications, followed by free short-term advanced industry courses for eligible participants.
The programme is expected to benefit around 40,000 employees.
3. Skills-based Training Framework and Continuing Education Fund Review
Upskill Hong Kong will publish the first phase of a skills-based training framework in Q1 2027. The Government will also begin a review of the Continuing Education Fund within the first year after Upskill Hong Kong is established.
4. More Support for Apprentices and Technical Talent
The Government will provide an extra HK$1,000 monthly training allowance to no fewer than 5,600 registered apprentices in 2027-28 and 2028-29. Around 4,000 construction technology training places will also be provided in the 2026/27 academic year.
5. 30,000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme
The Government and business sector will launch a two-year programme to create employment and internship opportunities for young people, particularly those with limited or no work experience.
- 10,000 additional full-time jobs of at least six months, starting Q1 2027.
- Government wage support of HK$6,000 per month or up to one-third of salary for six months.
- More than 10,000 internship places, each with a subsidy of at least HK$11,000.
- 10,000 on-the-job training places for professional graduates, with a HK$5,000 monthly salary subsidy.
- 1,000 financial-services youth internship placements.
- HR action: assess whether graduate, internship or entry-level hiring plans can make use of these programmes.
6. Talent List May Expand to More AI Roles
The Government will consider adding more AI-application talent categories to the Talent List, which currently covers 60 professions with local shortages.
7. Top Talent Pass Extension Rules to Be Relaxed for Eligible Tech Founders
Technology start-up founders supported by designated public-sector organisations will receive more flexible extension-of-stay treatment under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, including exemption from certain company-income proof requirements.
8. GBA Graduate Talent Arrangement Extended
The pilot arrangement bringing graduates from GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates will be extended for two years.
9. Immigration Facilitation Expands to More Markets
The Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons will expand from ASEAN to countries and regions in Central Asia and the Middle East, with all bureaux and departments able to issue invitations under the Scheme.
READ: Hong Kong’s Expat Comeback: What It Means for Employers Hiring Across Asia
10. Manpower Shortages Remain Structural
The mid-term Manpower Projection indicates tight manpower across most key industries, including innovation and technology, aviation, health services and construction, against the longer-term impact of population ageing.
11. Tighter Labour Import Compliance
The Government will continue protecting local employment while allowing limited labour importation. The stricter Tier 2 vetting mechanism may be extended to more industries and posts as necessary.
A new digital ESLS application platform will strengthen data collection and monitoring of employer compliance.
12. Stronger Enforcement Against Illegal Employment
The Government will intensify action against illegal employment, including technology-enabled investigation and enforcement.
13. New Statutory Protection for Delivery Platform Workers
The Government is developing legislation to provide statutory work-injury compensation for digital-platform workers engaged in food and goods delivery.
14. Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement to Strengthen
The Government will strengthen occupational safety and health enforcement, particularly in construction, including surprise inspections and greater use of safety technologies.
15. MPF Default Contribution Recovery and Full Portability
An amendment bill is planned by the end of the year to improve recovery of default MPF contributions from employers. Phase One of MPF Full Portability is scheduled for implementation this year, with a legislative proposal being prepared for Phase Two.
16. Re-employment Support to Expand
The Government will provide additional resources so eligible participants can receive the Re-employment Allowance, with a mid-term review of the scheme due by year-end.
17. New Family and Fertility Measures Affect Employees
The Policy Address introduces 11 measures to promote fertility and support families, several of which are directly relevant to employees and total-reward communication.
- Second or subsequent children born on or after 16 September 2026 will receive a HK$30,000 newborn bonus for three years.
- Eligible child and additional child allowances for second and subsequent children will rise from HK$140,000 to HK$160,000 from 2026/27.
- Childcare capacity and after-school care will expand.
- The Government continues to encourage family-friendly employment practices.
HR Checklist for the Next 3-6 Months
- Workforce planning – identify AI-exposed roles and persistent shortage positions.
- L&D – prepare an AI skills matrix and monitor the H1 2027 Upskill Hong Kong campaign.
- Youth hiring – assess the 30,000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme for 2027 headcount plans.
- Recruitment – monitor additions to the Talent List and GBA graduate arrangements.
- Mobility – track Top Talent Pass changes and expanded immigration facilitation.
- Labour import – audit ESLS local-recruitment evidence, wages, ratios and compliance records.
- Employment compliance – strengthen right-to-work and contractor workforce checks.
- Payroll and benefits – verify MPF controls and prepare for Full Portability changes.
- Employee benefits – review family-friendly policies and communications in light of the new fertility and childcare measures.
- Retention – strengthen mature-worker, reskilling and flexible-work strategies.
Turning Policy Changes Into Workforce Action
As Hong Kong’s employment landscape evolves, businesses may need to rethink how they hire, manage, pay and support their workforce for both locally and across markets.
From HR outsourcing and payroll to recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR), visa and immigration, and workforce advisory, we help businesses navigate changing workforce needs at every stage of growth. And with our EOR coverage now expanded to 100+ locations, we can support your hiring ambitions across more markets through one trusted partner.
Planning your workforce strategy for 2027? Let’s talk about how we can support your next step.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address
1. What are the key HR changes in the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address?
The Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address introduces measures affecting workforce planning, AI skills development, youth employment, talent attraction, labour importation, MPF, worker protection and family support. Employers should review their recruitment, learning and development, payroll, mobility and workforce strategies ahead of 2027.
2. What is the Upskill Hong Kong programme and when will it start?
Upskill Hong Kong is an 18-month AI upskilling initiative expected to launch in the first half of 2027. It will provide a free online course on workplace AI applications, followed by advanced industry-specific training for eligible participants, with around 40,000 employees expected to benefit.
3. What employment subsidies are available under Hong Kong’s 2027 youth employment programme?
Hong Kong plans to create 30,000 employment, internship and training opportunities for young people. Measures include 10,000 additional full-time jobs with wage support of HK$6,000 per month or up to one-third of salary for six months, more than 10,000 subsidised internships and 10,000 on-the-job training places for professional graduates.
4. How will the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address affect talent recruitment and immigration?
The Government is considering adding more AI-related occupations to the Talent List, relaxing certain Top Talent Pass Scheme extension requirements for eligible technology founders, extending arrangements for graduates from GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities, and expanding immigration facilitation to additional markets in Central Asia and the Middle East.
5. What MPF changes should Hong Kong employers prepare for?
Hong Kong plans to strengthen recovery of default MPF contributions and implement Phase One of MPF Full Portability in 2026, while preparing legislation for Phase Two. Employers should review MPF contribution controls, payroll processes and employee records to prepare for the changes.
6. What family-friendly measures were announced in the Hong Kong 2026 Policy Address?
The Policy Address includes measures covering newborn support, tax allowances, childcare and family-friendly employment. Second or subsequent children born on or after 16 September 2026 are eligible for a HK$30,000 newborn bonus for three years, while qualifying child allowances will increase from HK$140,000 to HK$160,000 from the 2026/27 year.