The Government will expand two immigration facilitation schemes starting October 1 to boost economic and trade interactions and exchanges by allowing more visitors to Hong Kong.

Among them, the coverage of the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons will extend beyond current Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to countries and regions in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Newly covered Central Asian countries include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Gulf Cooperation Council nations will also be included: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Consequently, all bureaus and departments can issue invitations under the initiative to facilitate invited people to visit Hong Kong for exchanges.

The second one to be expanded is the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme).

Following a review, the STV Scheme will add the social welfare sector to its existing 17 categories, enabling non-local talent to enter Hong Kong for specified short-term activities such as symposiums, workshops and research.

Additionally, more authorised organisations and specified short-term activities are added across three existing fields, including international/mega events, higher education and finance.

Invited people can visit Hong Kong for these activities as visitors without needing employment visas or entry permits from the Immigration Department.

All participating bureaus and departments will ensure the implementation of the scheme consistently meets relevant policy objectives, avoiding displacement of the local workforce and minimising abuse risks.