Digital Nomad VISA for Hong Kong

[nivek2046]

Hong Kong lacks workers.

Should we re-consider Digital Nomad VISA for Hong Kong?


https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...4103000233.htm

[PLamHK]

Hong Kong lacks workers.

Should we re-consider Digital Nomad VISA for Hong Kong?

Because digital nomads simply create more work for the Hong Kongers who have to provide their accommodation and food? The whole point of digital nomads is that such work as they do is remote from where they do it. Oh and they don't want to pay taxes.

Your argument seems contradictory. Bringing digital nomads puts more stress on the shortage of HK workers in sectors such as hospitality and care homes.

Haven't schools restarted yet? Shouldn't you be in class?

[mmbiker]

If I am not married and dont have a kid, I would be all over digital nomad visa in places like Japan, Thailand, etc

[nivek2046]

we should fire digital nomads then!

Specifically, Hongkongers not living in Hong Kong!

many jobs do not require physical presense at the offices.

[hullexile]

from the Hon Johnny Ng, member of Legco

It has been reported that digital nomadism (i.e. working remotely online while living abroad) has become a lifestyle with growing popularity in recent years. Some studies have estimated that the population of digital nomads worldwide would increase to 1 billion by 2035. There are views that hiring digital nomads is conducive to business operation by reducing employers' costs and expenses, while the presence of digital nomads in the host communities will also contribute to local economic growth. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the Government will or has estimate(d) and assess(ed) the economic benefits that can be brought to Hong Kong by implementing digital nomad policies to attract talents to work and live in Hong Kong;

(2) as there are views pointing out that digital nomads can help expand the talent pool to a worldwide scale, and it is learnt that at present, about 60 countries and places across the globe have already introduced digital nomad visas (e.g. the digital nomad visa launched by Thailand this year has a validity of five years, permitting a stay of up to 180 days per visit, while the digital nomad visa introduced by Japan this year allows holders to bring along with them their family members), whether the Government will, by drawing reference from the relevant practices, issue digital nomad visas to overseas and Mainland talents, or even roll out related preferential policies (including temporary resident visas, accommodation allowance, family-friendly measures and tax incentives, etc) in order to attract specific types of digital nomads (e.g. talents related to Web 3.0, quantum computation and artificial intelligence), thereby attracting more talents to come to Hong Kong; if so, of the details of the plan and the timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether the Government will, in the long run, consider launching an e-Residency programme to offer digital citizenship to foreigners, so as to attract more talents and enterprises from abroad to settle in Hong Kong?

Why would digital nomads choose to "work and live in Hong Kong"? Why not choose somewhere cheaper?

[aw451]

The whole point of being a digital nomad is to live in a low cost of living location like Thailand or Bali. Why would they want to live here? What benefit does HK get from them as well since they will not be paying tax here and just taking up rental properties (I guess that's the unspoken thing they are actually trying to do - fill the empty units)

[Elefant&Castle]

Estonia did this - not sure how popular it has been in practise.

https://visitestonia.com/en/digital-nomad-visa

[paddylast]

Calm down everyone Nivek is going to solve this issue by the end of the thread. I have complete confidence.

[nivek2046]

Calm down everyone Nivek is going to solve this issue by the end of the thread. I have complete confidence.

That's very kind of you.

Hong Kong employers should hire digital nomads then!

Specifically, Hongkongers not living in Hong Kong

Isn't that a brilliant idea?

[PLamHK]

Isn't that a brilliant idea?

No. And now it must be about your bed time.