Opinion | Why Hong Kong must seize opening of Trump’s H-1B visa chaos
The US’ shake-up of its H-1B visa programme has left businesses scrambling to respond. On September 19, President Donald Trump announced that companies hiring foreign nationals to work in the United States under the scheme would be charged an extra US$100,000 per beneficiary, effective from September 21. The vague language of the proclamation created widespread confusion. Companies that feared their H-1B employees would be denied entry were forced to urgently recall employees on holiday or business trips.
Five days later, the administration announced it plans to revamp the visa selection process to favour higher-skilled and better-paid workers.
As an employer with workers worldwide, I believe this presents Hong Kong with an opportunity. As multinational companies in the US mull their response to the visa changes, Hong Kong should step forward. The city should promote its immigration policies, such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme, to employers and talented individuals facing H-1B visa issues, to persuade them to invest and live here.
There are three main arguments for pursuing H-1B workers being driven out of the US. First, most of the current major H-1B employers are engaged in strategic industries, such as finance or information technology, which are in line with Hong Kong’s future development needs.
The H-1B programme has an annual quota of 85,000 places for new applicants, though not all employers are subject to this cap. About 400,000 H-1B applications were approved in the 2024 fiscal year. Almost half of the approved H-1B applications for that year came from the “professional, scientific and technical services” sector, with manufacturing and information next at 11 per cent and 9 per cent of approvals, respectively.
Among individual employers, Amazon had the most approvals in 2023, with more than 11,000, or 2.9 per cent of all approvals. Other familiar names in the top 10 included Infosys, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta and JPMorgan.
02:52
Trump concerned South Korean ICE arrests could ‘frighten’ investors
Trump concerned South Korean ICE arrests could ‘frighten’ investors
As Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Hong Kong with hurricane-strength winds on Wednesday morning, some worried residents felt their high-rise buildings sway, but experts and authorities have assured the public that such movements are normal. Ragasa, which triggered the highest-level No 10 warning signal, came within about 100km to the south of Hong Kong in the
Coastal and low-lying areas across Hong Kong have been hit hard by Severe Typhoon Ragasa, as it brought a significant storm surge and rainstorms to the city, inundating streets and promenades. Widespread flooding could be seen across the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory reporting that water levels in some areas had
As Super Typhoon Ragasa pummelled Hong Kong on Wednesday, some brave restaurants kept their doors open for hungry Hongkongers. Despite the Hong Kong Observatory maintaining its highest-level No 10 warning in the morning for the year’s most powerful storm, before lowering it to No 8 at lunchtime, many residents braved gale-force winds and heavy downpours
As Hong Hong deals with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more. Hong Kong’s day of terror This article was first published on September 2, 1962 Typhoon Wanda, with winds of up to 162
Hong Kong’s economic story has always unfolded in cycles of innovation. Finance made it a global hub. Real estate later became a backbone. Both engines now face structural limits. As global competition intensifies, the question is what Hong Kong’s new growth engine will be. The policy address offers a clear signal: artificial intelligence (AI) is
Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across Hong Kong on Wednesday, with strong waves shattering the glass doors of an Ocean Park hotel, and violent winds blowing a barge ashore and tearing air conditioning units from homes. Dubbed the “king of storms” by mainland weather authorities, Ragasa maintained winds of 220km/h (137mph) near its centre when
As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches Hong Kong, we take a look at SCMP’s coverage of some of the worst storms the city has experienced. Click here to read more. Typhoon causes collapse in new housing estate By Staff Reporter This article was first published on August 17, 1971 The most powerful typhoon to strike for
Hong Kong’s bankers and traders hunkered down at home or booked hotels near their offices as Super Typhoon Ragasa descended on the Asian financial hub. The big international banks, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and HSBC Holdings, told most employees to work from home before the typhoon unleashed a deluge of rain and sustained winds
