The international competition for talent has given rise to a variety of visa schemes throughout Asia, each boasting its own distinctive attributes and advantages. This article provides a comparative analysis of four such programs: Singapore’s Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), Japan’s System for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-SKIP) and System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-FIND), Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card and the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS). Join us as we delve into the specifics of these schemes, shedding light on the opportunities they present for high-income earners, top university graduates, and professionals in various fields.

Singapore's Overseass Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

The ONE Pass is a customised pass for top talents across various sectors, including business, arts and culture, sports, academia, and research. Similar to the Tech.Pass, the ONE Pass permits holders to simultaneously start, operate, and work for multiple companies in Singapore. However, unlike the Tech.Pass, it is open to candidates from all sectors and is not confined to the tech sector. Successful applicants may be granted a stay of 5 years.

Prospective applicants should meet one of the criteria below:

1. Earned a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 from one employer, or its equivalent in foreign currency, for the last 12 consecutive months. If you are an overseas candidate, you must also show that you have been working for an established company overseas for at least 1 year.
2. Will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under an established company that is based in Singapore.
3. Qualifying through outstanding achievements in at least one of the areas including Sports; Arts and culture and Academia and research

Japan’s System for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-SKIP) and System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-FIND)

Japan has unveiled two new visa options to attract top graduates and high-income earners to work in the country. The J-SKIP visa caters to researchers, engineers, or high-level managers wishing to migrate to Japan. The J-FIND visa is intended for foreign nationals who have graduated in the last five years from an eligible university with at least a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent who are seeking employment opportunities.

The J-Skip Visa offers benefits such as eligibility to apply for permanent residency after a one-year stay in Japan, eligibility to use the Priority Lanes at Japanese airports and the ability for the visa holder’s spouse to apply for a visa that would allow for full-time employment in Japan, among other benefits and the ability to hire two domestic helpers. Successful applicants may be granted a stay of 5 years.

The J-Find visa offers opportunities for the graduate to look for a job, start a business or engage in other remunerative activities in Japan. Successful applicants may be granted a stay of 1 year.

Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card

The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a bespoke visa crafted to draw in high-level professionals to work in Taiwan. This card is an open work permit issued to employment-seeking individuals that require neither pre-confirmed hiring by nor application through any employer. The card offers a multitude of benefits, encompassing a residence visa, open work permit, streamlined tax reporting, and complimentary access to national museums and eligibility to apply for permanent residency after three years. Gold Card holders who work in Taiwan for the first time and meet specified conditions are also eligible to apply for a 50% tax exemption on annual salary income exceeding NT$3 million in the first 5 years. Successful applicants may be granted a stay up to 3 years.

Prospective applicants should meet the assessment criteria on the list of qualifications in that particular industry’s ministry for their professional skill.

1. Science & Technology (National Science and Technology Council)
2. Economy (Ministry of Economic Affairs)
3. Education (Ministry of Education)
4. Culture & Arts (Ministry of Culture)
5. Sport (Ministry of Education)
6. Finance (Financial Supervisory Commission)
7. Law (Ministry of Justice)
8. Architecture (The Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior)
9. National Defense (Ministry of National Defense)
10. Digital (Ministry of Digital Affairs)

Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

The TTPS seeks to draw in top-tier talents possessing extensive work experience and impressive academic credentials. A distinguishing characteristic of this scheme is that applicants are not obligated to have a confirmed job offer in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the time of application. Successful applicants may be granted a stay of 2 years, subject only to time limitations, provided that standard immigration requirements are met.

Prospective applicants can apply for the TTPS under one of the following categories:

1. Individuals with an annual income of HK$2.5 million or above, or its equivalent in foreign currency, in the year immediately preceding the application date (Category A).
2. Degree holders from eligible universities with a minimum of three years of work experience within the five years immediately preceding the application date (Category B).
3. Degree holders from eligible universities in the five years immediately preceding the application date with less than three years of work experience, subject to an annual quota allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (Category C).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while each of these visa schemes possesses its own distinctive features and advantages, they all converge on a shared objective: to attract the world’s top talent. However, it’s crucial to make an informed decision by comprehending the eligibility criteria, application process, and potential benefits prior to applying.

For graduates from recognized universities, the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Japanese J-FIND visa offer unparalleled opportunities. These programs enable talented individuals to explore and contribute to the dynamic metropolis of Hong Kong and the culturally rich cities of Japan respectively, all without the prerequisite of securing employment beforehand.

Whether you’re a high-income earner, a graduate from a prestigious university, or a professional in a specific field, these visa schemes provide a spectrum of opportunities to work and reside in some of Asia’s most vibrant cities.

Et voilà!
It is important to note that most visa programs have stringent and specific eligibility requirements, and the application process can be complex and extremely time-consuming. It is recommended that the Talent or the employer consults with a qualified immigration professional to determine if the program is the right fit for them.

References:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/overseas-networks-expertise-pass/key-facts
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa16.html
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_001037.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/japan-j-skip-and-j-find-visas-offer-new-pathways-for-highly-skilled-or-highly-educated-foreign-nationals.html
https://goldcard.nat.gov.tw/en/about/
https://goldcard.nat.gov.tw/en/apply/step-1/#/