Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme

Objectives:

• To foster career development of Hong Kong young persons.
• To encourage Hong Kong enterprises to engage young talent to work in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
• To promote talent exchange and integration within the GBA.
• To support youth employment with enhanced measures since January 2025.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Legally employable Hong Kong residents aged 29 or below.
• Individuals with educational attainments at sub-degree level or above from higher education institutions within or outside Hong Kong.

Key Features:

• Enterprises with business operations in both Hong Kong and Mainland GBA cities can participate.
• Participating enterprises employ Hong Kong youth under Hong Kong laws and station them in Mainland GBA cities for work and on-the-job training.
• Government allowance covers 60% of the young persons' monthly salaries, capped at HK$12,000 per month, for up to 18 months.
• Minimum monthly wage requirements: at least HK$18,000 for degree holders; market-rate salaries for sub-degree holders.
• Since 2025, enterprises participating in the Scheme can also apply to employ Mainland youth to work in Hong Kong under reciprocal arrangements to foster talent exchange.
• The Scheme is regularized since 2023 after a successful pilot launched in 2021.
• Support services and practical information are provided for youth working in the Mainland, including legal advice, accommodation, taxation, medical services, and social security guidance.
• Salaries are paid in Hong Kong, and participants join the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund; social security contributions in Mainland are generally not required unless employed directly by Mainland employers.

Application Process:

• Enterprises apply for the allowance from the HKSAR Government after employing eligible Hong Kong youth.
• Young persons apply for job vacancies posted under the Scheme by participating enterprises.
• Detailed guidelines and application forms are available on the official website.
• Enterprises must comply with Hong Kong employment laws and meet wage requirements.
• The Scheme includes a vacancy search platform and support services for both employers and youth.

This Scheme aims to leverage the development opportunities in the GBA to enhance youth employment and career growth while facilitating cross-border talent mobility and exchange within the region.