Half of Hong Kong's foreign workers earn under HK$20,000 monthly on temporary visas

Nearly half the foreign workers brought into Hong Kong under a key visa scheme last year earned less than HK$20,000 a month, with the vast majority hired on contracts lasting under 12 months, according to Immigration Department data.

The department approved 31,278 working visas under the General Employment Policy in 2024, with 79.7 per cent, or 24,929 people, placed in short-term positions. The scheme, which excludes mainland Chinese residents, marked its second straight year above 30,000 approvals but remained below the more than 40,000 visas granted annually in 2018 and 2019.

Rising share of short-term contracts

The proportion of successful applicants on short-term contracts has climbed steadily, up from 72.1 per cent in 2024 and 64 per cent in 2023. Among last year's visa holders, 14,850, or 47.5 per cent, earned monthly salaries below HK$20,000.

In the first half of 2025, the department approved 13,640 GEP visas, with 68.6 per cent on short-term contracts and 49.8 per cent earning less than HK$20,000. The figures suggest the pattern of lower-paid, temporary positions persists into the current year.

The data raises questions about the nature of roles filled under the policy and whether the scheme is meeting its original intent of attracting skilled talent to support Hong Kong's economy.

Source: South China Morning Post