New Talent Acquisition Scheme to Recruit Highly Skilled Professionals to Post-Pandemic Macau

Macau is currently facing a shortage of manpower, particularly in highly specialised areas. This is impeding post-pandemic economic recovery in the Special Administrative Region. The manpower shortage has been brought to the attention of the government by all sectors of society, who have highlighted the fact that pre-pandemic economic levels cannot be reached without an adequate supply of skilled professionals.

In response to this situation, the Macau government has initiated efforts to facilitate and expedite the hiring of non-local labour. One significant development in this respect is Law 7/2023, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 18 May 2023 being regulated by Administrative Regulation 19/2023, which entered into force on July 1st, approving the Residency Scheme for Highly Qualified Workers. The aim of this scheme is to promote economic development and diversification, thereby fostering sustainable growth and progress in the region.

To further support this goal, the Macau government has partially revoked the Administrative Regulation 3/2005, which regulates the hiring and temporary residence of highly qualified professionals. The new scheme also introduces an electronic platform for submitting applications and notifying applicants, which reflects the increasing digitalisation of procedures in Macau.

The new Residency Scheme for Highly Qualified Workers also introduces an electronic platform for submitting applications and notifying applicants, which reflects the increasing digitalisatio of procedures in Macau.

As part of the application process, eligible highly skilled professionals are categorised into three types:

• high-end talents;
• outstanding talents; and
• advanced professionals.

Respectively, these categories correspond to individuals with outstanding skills, technical competence and professional experience, who can contribute to the development of key industries and fill the shortage of human resources required for Macau’s growth.

In addition, a new Commission for the Evaluation of High Qualifications (CAQQ) and Commission for the Development of Qualified Professionals (CDQQ) have been set up to define policies for recruiting qualified professionals and organise the implementation of these policies. The Chief Executive of Macau retains the ultimate decision-making power when it comes to launching programmes to attract professionals and granting residence permits to candidates.

While the Residency Scheme for Highly Qualified Workers offers a fresh approach to the timely and efficient recruitment of skilled professionals, the Non-resident Workers’ Regime for skilled and non-skilled foreign workers remains in effect – as does the work permit exemption for occasional workers. Taken together, these measures reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the shortage of manpower in Macau and ensuring the economic recovery and sustainable development of the Special Administrative Region.