The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ("GBA") creates huge development opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises and young persons. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("the HKSAR Government") launched the pilot Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme ("the Scheme") in 2021 and gained very favourable feedback from both the participating enterprises and young persons. To foster career development of young persons and the exchange of talents in the GBA, the Labour Department launched the regularised Scheme since 2023 to encourage enterprises to engage Hong Kong young persons to work in the Mainland cities of GBA. To strengthen support for youth employment, enhancement measures are introduced under the Scheme since January 2025.
Eligibility criteria for young persons are relaxed to allow legally employable Hong Kong residents aged 29 or below with educational attainments awarded by higher education institutions within or outside Hong Kong at sub-degree level or above to join the Scheme.
Enterprises with businesses in both Hong Kong and the Mainland cities of GBA to employ Hong Kong young persons in accordance with Hong Kong Laws and station them in the Mainland cities of GBA to work and receive on-the-job training may apply for allowance from the HKSAR Government of 60% of the young persons' monthly salaries with the limit increased to HK$12,000 per month for up to 18 months. Enterprises must offer a monthly wages of no less than HK$18,000 for young persons holding bachelor's degrees or above and offer salaries at a level comparable with the market rate for young persons with sub- degree qualifications.
The HKSAR Government has implemented the "Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme - Arrangements for Mainland Youth to Work in Hong Kong" ("the Arrangements") since 2025. Enterprises which have participated in the Scheme and employed Hong Kong young persons to work in the GBA Mainland cities may apply for the same number of Mainland young persons to work in Hong Kong according to relevant requirements under the Arrangements, so as to foster the exchange of talents in GBA. For details, please refer to the "Guidelines for Participating Enterprises".