QMAS Work Experience Criteria: International and Renowned Firms

As of 7 October 2026, the General Points Test under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) assesses applicants against 12 assessment criteria, of which work experience accounts for four (criteria six to nine). The official definition of international work experience is: work experience obtained by the applicant outside their place of origin, at degree level or expert level, and of no less than two years’ duration. Applications meeting more assessment criteria will be given priority consideration, but reaching the threshold of six criteria only means the application may be submitted, not that it will necessarily be approved.

Which of the 12 criteria does work experience cover?

The General Points Test comprises 12 assessment criteria covering six areas: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership. Work experience is one of these areas, accounting for four criteria — (six) to (nine).

Official selection takes place in four stages: the first stage is basic eligibility (age, financial requirement, good character, basic academic qualifications); the second stage is the assessment mechanism, where the applicant chooses either the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test; the third stage is the periodic selection exercise; and the fourth stage is the issue of the visa / entry permit in the form of an “e-Visa”. The four work experience criteria fall under the second stage.

The current eligibility threshold requires meeting 6 of the 12 assessment criteria; only applicants who meet the threshold may submit their application online. The threshold may change from time to time without prior notice, and the official page does not provide a per-criterion points table or a pass mark. Each applicant may submit only one application at a time, and may be assessed under only one assessment mechanism.

The content of the four work experience criteria is as follows:

The multinational corporations or renowned companies referred to in criterion (seven) include, by way of example, listed companies or enterprises ranked in the Forbes Global 2000, the Fortune Global 500 and the Hurun China 500. The specific fields referred to in criterion (eight) include “innovation and technology”, “finance” and “international trade” (which covers cross-boundary shipping and air transport, as well as supply chain management). For the scheme’s overall routes, see QMAS routes; for various visa routes, see Visa routes overview.

The official definition of “international work experience”

The international work experience referred to in criterion (nine) must be work experience obtained by the applicant outside their place of origin, at degree level or expert level, of no less than two years’ duration.

“Work experience at degree level” generally refers to positions within an organisation that must be held by persons with academic qualifications no lower than bachelor’s degree level; “work experience at expert level” generally refers to positions that require a high level of specialised knowledge or skills. Both must be full-time and meet the specified duration.

Criterion (nine) is a “meets / does not meet” assessment, and the official page does not provide a per-criterion points table. Whether an applicant meets this criterion depends on whether their experience simultaneously satisfies the three elements of “obtained outside the place of origin”, “degree level or expert level” and “no less than two years”.

Where is the boundary for international work experience?

Based on the definition above, the key to international work experience lies in “being obtained outside the place of origin”. Whether a period of experience can be regarded as international work experience depends on whether it was obtained outside the applicant’s place of origin; that period of experience must also simultaneously satisfy the two conditions of degree level or expert level and no less than two years’ duration, before it will be regarded as meeting criterion (nine). Before applying, you may first use the QMAS self-assessment tool to check which criteria you meet.

How experience is defined and proven

Whether work experience falls within a specific field / industry mainly depends on the applicant’s duties, position or job title, rather than being determined solely by the industry classification of the employing company. When the applicant holds positions with broad operational responsibility such as chief executive, general manager or president, the nature of the company’s business will be taken into account.

Applicants must provide supporting documents to satisfy the Immigration Department that their position (including self-employed positions) reaches the appropriate level, before it will be regarded as meeting the relevant assessment criteria. Relevant supporting documents generally include:

• An employer’s reference letter written on company letterhead, stamped with the company chop and signed by an authorised person, stating the information listed in the Immigration Department’s application guidance.
• Documents proving the position is at degree level or expert level.
• Documents proving the duration and full-time nature.
• Self-employed persons must prove that their business position reaches the appropriate level.

The thresholds for renowned companies and specific industry experience

Criterion (seven) requires no less than three years of work experience with a multinational corporation or renowned company. The renowned companies cited by the official examples include listed companies, or enterprises ranked in the Forbes Global 2000, the Fortune Global 500 and the Hurun China 500.

Criterion (eight) requires no less than three years of work experience in “innovation and technology”, “finance” or “international trade”, where “international trade” includes cross-boundary shipping and air transport, as well as supply chain management. This criterion likewise matches the relevant field by duties, position or job title, rather than looking solely at the company’s industry.

Applications meeting more criteria will be given priority consideration in the selection, but meeting the threshold does not mean automatic approval.

Frequently asked questions

How long must international work experience be?

Conclusion: No less than two years. Conditions: the experience must be obtained outside the applicant’s place of origin, be at degree level or expert level, and be full-time and meet the specified duration.

Does work experience have to be full-time to count?

Conclusion: The applicant must prove the position is full-time and meets the duration. Conditions: the position must reach the appropriate level, i.e. equivalent to degree level or expert level; self-employed positions may also serve as proof.

How does work experience outside the place of origin count as international work experience?

Conclusion: It must be obtained outside the applicant’s place of origin. Conditions: the experience must be at degree level or expert level, and be of no less than two years’ duration.

For work experience in a specific field, is the company’s industry or the position the main consideration?

Conclusion: Mainly the duties, position or job title. Conditions: when holding positions with broad operational responsibility such as chief executive, general manager or president, the nature of the company’s business will also be taken into account.

Official sources

• Immigration Department: Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
• Immigration Department: Assessment Mechanism
• Immigration Department: Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Frequently Asked Questions
• Immigration Department: Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Application Guidance ID(C)982
• Immigration Department: QMAS Application Guidance Forms Page
• Immigration Department: Self-assessment Tool

This article is a compilation of policy information and does not constitute legal advice; the policy is subject to the latest announcements of official departments such as the Immigration Department.