(English) The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (“QMAS”) is a points based admission scheme for global talents to apply to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a job offer as normally required in work visa application. The scheme was first introduced in February 2006 with an initial quota of 1,000 applicants.

Following the announcement of the Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address, the Hong Kong Government has decided to double the annual quota of the QMAS in 2020 to 4,000 entrants. The objective is to attract more talents to come to Hong Kong and to increase Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness. With the introduction of more professional categories, it is expected that Hong Kong will welcome an influx of applications from different sectors. The Talents List was first drawn up in 2018 and now the list covers 13 professions. The latest addition includes professionals in asset management, and environmental, social and governance. Further, individuals from medical and healthcare sciences, microelectronics, integrated circuit design and arts technology, and the disputes resolution/transaction law industries are also now eligible to apply under the QMAS. Potential entrants from other industries and sectors not covered by the Talent List are still welcome to apply as long as they meet the respective eligibility criteria.

The Immigration Department will prioritise the applications of applicants undertaking research and development work under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS). With the expansion of professional categories under the QMAS, it is expected that the Immigration Department may also provide a fast-track arrangement for eligible individuals to work in Hong Kong.

Certain countries have introduced schemes to attract immigrants from Hong Kong. This no doubt posts a threat to Hong Kong on outflow of talents. The significant increase in the Talents quota to a large extent reveals the Hong Kong Government’s effort to counter that threat. Hong Kong has experienced different challenges in recent years. With the strong resilience of Hong Kong people, Hong Kong usually recovers fast from difficult times. Interested candidates with relevant skills and talents should seize this good opportunity to seriously consider coming to Hong Kong to pursue their career dreams.

Our Immigration Team are on standby to help interested applicants understand the requirements and walk through the application process. Please contact our Partner Willy Cheng or Paralegal Arial Ng (arial.ng@sw-hk.com) for any further enquiries or information.

This newsletter is for information purposes only. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. Stevenson, Wong & Co. will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with any decision made, action or inaction taken in reliance on the information set out herein.

入境事务处打击假结婚

入境处以「放蛇」形式与办理假结婚中介人会面，行动名为「圈套」，于2017年12月6日成功拘捕5名疑犯，其中包括集团主脑、3名成员及1名涉嫌假结婚的内地女子。

入境处指疑犯年龄介乎26至54岁，其中有4名为本港居民，有关调查人员于疑犯家中分别检获与假结婚有关的文件及手提电话等证物，可能会有更多涉案人士被捕。

非本港居民与香港居民假结婚的案件一直受到入境处的关注，而该些不法分子会透过不同平台去宣传，以诱使更多人参与假结婚以骗取香港居留的非法活动。

根据现时香港法例﹕
1. 任何人向入境处职员提供虚假资料即属违法，最高刑款为15万元及监禁14年。
2. 任何人明知而故意为促使达成婚姻而作出虚假宣誓或声明亦属违法，最高刑罚为监禁7年监禁及罚款。
3. 任何参与串谋诈骗活动的人同属违法，最高刑罚为监禁14年。

来源: http://www.immd.gov.hk/hkt/press/press-releases/20171208b.html

美国白宫官方打算提出新的移民政策，例如雇用多10,000名新移民执法人员。 这项建议与最近的“DACA”（童年入境者暂缓遣返手续）争议无关，该建议只是白宫其中支持的一项新移民政策。

移民政策蓝图大概分为三类：1）牢固边界 ; 2）更严厉的移民法，以保障美国本土的工人; 3）更有效地执行现有的移民法。 因此，为了达到上述的目标，白宫官方面提议增加移民局执行人员的数目。

此外，白宫官方亦正在考虑实施一个网上系统，使企业能够更快地查询其移民申请的状况，而申请签证费用的费用亦会提高。

来源: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/us/politics/white-house-immigration-rules-draft.html

英国内政部从移民中赚取巨额利润
英国内政部被指以轻微错误为由而拒绝申请人的英国签证申请，令申请人需重新申请以增加利润。英国的签证费用可能是世界上最高的。据估计，内政部签证申请中赚取800％的利润。

例如，无限期许可进入或保留的申请定为2,297英镑;然而处理程序的实际成本只有252英镑左右。这表明政府处理申请的费用和向申请人收取的费用有很大的差异。

不仅费用一直较高，内政部甚至开始展开新收费。任何海外人士通过电子邮件联系英国签证和移民局都均须被收取5.48英镑的新费用。

然而内政部声称该做法是“公正合理, 因为它确保那些直接从英国签证系统中获益的人作出相对的贡献。

因此，为免以轻微错误为由而遭受拒绝签证及需重新申请，申请人应考虑聘请专业人士来代办签证。

(来源: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/home-office-immigration-costs-government-huge-profits-underfunded-theresa-may-a7944206.html)

在特朗普的移民政策下绿卡申请人现将面临更多的障碍

在特朗普总统的“极端审查”移民政策下，绿卡申请人现需通过面试才能获得永久居留权。虽然现行法律一直要求绿卡申请人面试，但过去，美国公民和移民服务局（USCIS）一直放弃对广泛类别申请人的面试，并将资源集中在高风险案件上。

根据USCI，新政策的目的是打击非法移民，并限制谁可以进入美国。新政策将于10月1日起施行，绿卡申请人以就业或难民和庇护为由申请，现需将面对面试。行政部门解释亲自面试将允许官员验证申请，并进一步发现新的相关信息以及评估申请人的信誉。这样会加强国家移民制度的完整性。

未知有多少人会受到新政策影响，但肯定的新政策将会给申请系统带来负担及绿卡申请人现必须超越额外的障碍才能获得永久居留权。

来源: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/28/politics/trump-administration-green-cards-interviews/index.html

特朗普总统会否让你移民到美国？

特朗普总统表示支持一项以积分制为基础的新移民法案，该法案或可降低允许移民到美国的人数。

根据拟议的美国移民改革促进就业法案（“RAISE ACT”）的要求，申请人需要从多个积分机制获取分数，包括：年龄; 教育程度; 英语能力;薪金; 将会投资在美国的金额; 申请人是否曾获得诺贝尔奖或任何类似的全国奖项; 申请人是否曾在过去8年中赢得奥运奖牌。

纵使得到总统的赞同，预期该法案获得国会批准仍有困难。

(来源: http://time.com/4887574/trump-raise-act-immigration/)