QMAS Work Experience Criteria Under the General Points Test

Under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) General Points Test (GPT), work experience is assessed under four criteria, corresponding to five years, three years with a multinational or renowned company, three years in a specific sector, and two years’ international work experience. As of 7 October 2026, the official eligibility threshold is “meeting 6 of the 12 criteria”, and the work experience criteria are assessed only on a pass/fail basis, with no points or quotas. This article sets out the official definitions and evidence requirements for these four criteria; applicants may first read the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme overview to understand the six categories and basic eligibility.

Which of the 12 criteria cover work experience

The General Points Test (GPT) consists of 12 assessment criteria across six categories: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income, and business ownership. Work experience is one of the six categories, corresponding to criteria (6) to (9), a total of four.

Applicants who meet all the basic eligibility requirements may choose to be assessed under either the General Points Test (GPT) or the Achievement-based Points Test (APT); each applicant may submit only one application at a time and may be assessed under only one assessment mechanism.

The current eligibility threshold requires meeting 6 of the 12 assessment criteria before an application can be submitted online. The four work experience criteria do not all need to be met, but applications meeting more criteria will be given priority consideration. The eligibility threshold may be changed from time to time without prior notice.

Official requirements for each work experience criterion

The duration requirements and scope of the four work experience criteria are as follows:

Criterion (6) requires the applicant to have at least five years of work experience at degree level or specialist level.

Criterion (7) requires the applicant to have at least three years of work experience at degree level or specialist level with a multinational corporation or renowned company.

Criterion (8) requires the applicant to have at least three years of work experience at degree level or specialist level in a specific sector.

Criterion (9) requires the applicant to have at least two years of international work experience at degree level or specialist level.

All four criteria share “degree level or specialist level” as a common baseline, are independent of one another, and may be claimed separately according to the applicant’s own CV.

How work experience is defined

Work experience at “degree level” generally refers to positions within an organisation that must be held by persons whose academic qualifications are not lower than bachelor’s degree level.

Work experience at “specialist level” generally refers to positions that require a high level of specialised knowledge or skills.

Whether a position reaches degree level or specialist level depends on the actual duties and required qualifications, rather than the job title itself.

Whether work experience falls within a specific sector or industry depends mainly on the applicant’s duties, position, or job title, rather than simply on the industry classification of the employing company. Where the applicant holds a position with broad operational responsibility such as chief executive officer, general manager, or president, the nature of the company’s business will be a relevant consideration.

International work experience must be obtained outside the applicant’s home country or territory and be at degree level or specialist level.

How to prove position, level and duration

An applicant must provide supporting documents to satisfy the Immigration Department that their position (including self-employed positions) reaches the appropriate level, in order to be regarded as meeting the relevant assessment criterion.

An employer’s reference letter must be printed on company letterhead. An employer’s reference letter must bear the company chop. An employer’s reference letter must be signed by an authorised person.

The applicant must prove that the position was full-time and meets the required duration.

Work experience obtained through self-employment must likewise be shown to reach the appropriate level.

During the online application, the applicant may submit a “Supplementary Sheet on Work Experience” for work experience (contained in the guidance notes ID(C)982).

The Immigration Department provides a self-assessment tool, allowing applicants to indicate the assessment criteria they meet under the General Points Test (GPT); for an initial check, applicants may also refer to this site’s QMAS criteria self-check.

Frequently asked questions

How many years of work experience does QMAS require?

Work experience forms four of the 12 General Points Test (GPT) criteria (criteria (6) to (9)); an applicant need only meet 6 of the 12 criteria to submit. If claiming under criterion (6), the applicant must have at least five years of work experience at degree level or specialist level.

Does self-employment experience count?

Self-employed positions can be counted as work experience. The applicant must still prove that the self-employed position reaches the appropriate level, is full-time, and meets the required duration.

How is international work experience calculated?

International work experience must be work experience obtained outside the applicant’s home country or territory and at degree level or specialist level. Meeting this definition for at least two years allows it to correspond to criterion (9).

Which industries does specific-sector work experience include?

The specific sector refers to “innovation and technology”, “finance”, and “international trade” (including cross-boundary shipping and air transport, and supply chain management). The applicant must have at least three years of relevant experience at degree level or specialist level to correspond to criterion (8).

Does work experience require an employer’s reference letter?

An employer’s reference letter must be printed on company letterhead, bear the company chop, and be signed by an authorised person. The applicant must provide supporting documents to satisfy the Immigration Department that their position reaches the appropriate level, in order to be regarded as meeting the criterion.

Official sources

• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Frequently Asked Questions – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Guidance Notes ID(C)982 (PDF) – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Self-assessment Tool – Immigration Department

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