Call to allow non-local graduates to remain in Macau as insurance talent wanes

Facing a shortage of specialized professionals, the Macau Insurers’ Association urged authorities to allow non-local students who graduate from Macau universities to stay and gradually gain residency.

The association submitted the proposal in writing at the recent 2026 Macao Industry and Commerce Forum hosted by the Macao Chamber of Commerce (ACM). Industry insiders quoted by the media said bringing in non-local professionals would not take up local employment quotas but would help build local teams through mentorship and guidance.

The written proposal argued that allowing non-local graduates of Macau’s higher education institutions to remain in the city could help address future labor shortages, noting that neighboring jurisdictions have adopted similar measures.

It warned that the insurance sector faces critical shortages of professional talent and human resources and said permitting graduates to stay would supply locally educated, market-familiar talent to support the sustainable development of industry and commerce.

According to a report in Chinese-language media Exmoo, Cheung Ming Fai, chairman of the association, said the industry is “facing a severe shortage of professional talent, which is the biggest obstacle to its internationalization.”

The report quoted Cheung as saying the proposal would raise professional standards in Macau’s insurance sector and help build a pipeline of local staff, adding that local practitioners could leverage their networks to attract mainland clients and expand the market.

The same report cited Cheung as noting younger workers struggle to balance work with professional study and that some firms have relaxed entry requirements by no longer requiring professional certification and systematic training – a change he said has hindered efforts to improve local practitioners’ standards.

An industry insider attributed the drop in intermediaries to a cooling life insurance segment and aggressive recruitment by the gaming sector, which has led practitioners to leave.

As quoted, he said introducing UK and Australian professional exams in Macau, with government-backed subsidies for firms to support staff testing, could revive interest and upskill the workforce.