QMAS 2026 Prerequisites and 12 General Points Test Criteria

As at 7 October 2026, applicants for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) must first meet the four basic eligibility requirements of age, financial means, good character and academic qualifications before being assessed under the General Points Test (GPT) or the Achievement-based Points Test (APT). The current eligibility threshold under the GPT is to meet 6 out of the 12 assessment criteria, while the APT requires meeting one of its two listed criteria. Both mechanisms are subject to periodic selection by the Immigration Department, and meeting the threshold does not guarantee approval.

QMAS Basic Prerequisites and Application Stages

The QMAS aims to attract highly skilled talents or professionals to settle in Hong Kong, and applicants are not required to have secured a local job offer before applying or being approved to settle in Hong Kong. The scheme does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea.

The official selection mechanism comprises four stages. The first stage is basic eligibility; the second stage is the assessment mechanism, where applicants choose either the GPT or the APT; the third stage is the periodic selection process; and the fourth stage is the issuance of a visa or entry permit in the form of an “e-Visa”. See the QMAS pathway page for an overview of the scheme.

Only applicants who meet all the basic eligibility requirements may proceed to the second stage. Each applicant may submit only one application at a time and may be assessed under only one assessment mechanism.

Age

Applicants must be aged 18 or above at the time of submitting an application under this scheme.

Financial Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they can independently cover the living and accommodation expenses for themselves and their dependants (if any) during their stay in Hong Kong, without relying on public assistance. The Guide to Application further states that applicants must prove that their net personal assets are sufficient to cover the living and accommodation expenses for themselves and their dependants (if any) for the first 12 months in Hong Kong.

The types of asset proof generally accepted by the authorities fall into four categories: bank deposits, real estate, securities and ownership interests in private businesses. Examples of supporting documents include bank balance certificates or statements, and bank passbooks; for real estate, a deed showing the market value less any outstanding mortgage loan and a valuation report are required; for securities, a statement issued by a registered financial intermediary showing the holdings and market value; for ownership interests in private businesses, audited financial statements must be submitted; outstanding personal debts are shown by statements issued by financial institutions or creditors.

The online form does not require disclosure of all personal assets; applicants need only state the amount sufficient to cover the living needs of themselves and accompanying dependants for the first 12 months in Hong Kong, and upload the relevant net asset proof documents. If there is an outstanding mortgage loan or other liabilities, the latest outstanding amount (in HK$) should be deducted from the declared net personal assets.

Good Character

Applicants must not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere. When submitting an application through the Immigration Department’s online system, applicants must declare the above and provide details (if any), and upload the relevant supporting documents.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess good academic qualifications, generally requiring a university degree awarded by a recognised university or institution of higher education. In exceptional cases, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may also be considered.

Consequences of Failing to Meet Basic Eligibility

If an applicant fails to provide satisfactory documentary proof that they meet all the above basic eligibility requirements, their application will be rejected immediately and will not be processed further.

General Points Test: 12 Assessment Criteria

Applicants who meet all the basic eligibility requirements may opt to be assessed under the GPT. The GPT consists of 12 assessment criteria covering six areas: age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership.

The current eligibility threshold is to meet 6 of the 12 assessment criteria, and only applicants who reach the threshold may submit an application online. The Immigration Department’s online system assesses on a “met/not met” basis; the official pages contain no item-by-item points table and no “pass mark”. The eligibility threshold may be changed from time to time without prior notice. The Immigration Department’s online system provides a self-assessment tool that allows applicants to check, item by item under the GPT, which assessment criteria they meet.

The table below sets out the areas and content of the 12 criteria:

Age Criterion

Criterion (1) assesses whether the applicant is aged 50 or below.

Academic Qualifications Criteria

Criterion (2) assesses whether the applicant holds a master’s or doctoral degree awarded by an eligible university. Criterion (3) assesses whether that degree is in a “STEM” subject (science, technology, engineering or mathematics).

An eligible university refers to a university or institution listed on the Aggregate List of Eligible Universities compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau for this scheme. The list is based on two sources: the eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS); and universities or institutions that, in the past five years, ranked among the top ten in the QS Global MBA Rankings and the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings and that specifically offer postgraduate programmes.

All declared academic qualifications must meet Hong Kong’s recognised standards for a master’s or doctoral degree. Honorary master’s or doctoral degrees, and degrees not awarded by a nationally recognised or registered body, will not be accepted. Qualifications obtained from schools of continuing and professional education, branch campuses, extension colleges or affiliated colleges established by eligible universities will also not be accepted. The Immigration Department may, where necessary, require the applicant to apply at their own expense to the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications for assessment of their qualifications.

The official list (in no particular order) marks newly added universities with an ”*”; École Polytechnique, Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Sorbonne Paris Cité-USPC and University of Freiburg have been removed from the list, and graduates of master’s or doctoral programmes from these four institutions will, from 1 January 2026, no longer meet the scoring criteria for the academic qualifications area under the GPT of the QMAS.

The “STEM” subject reference list is for reference only. Even if the subject of the relevant qualification is not on the reference list, it may still be considered, provided the applicant submits supporting documents to that effect.

For each qualification awarded by an institution of higher education, the applicant must provide the graduation certificate issued by the institution, a copy of the academic transcript, and an authentication document issued by a third-party verification organisation or the awarding institution in respect of the qualification, together with the information required for the Immigration Department to verify it on the relevant online platform. The list of third-party verification organisations applies to applicants who graduated from institutions that do not provide online qualification verification to external parties; the list includes CHSI, CSCSE (Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange), Parchment (online certifiable version), Qualification Check and CeCredential Trust.

Language Proficiency Criteria

Criterion (4) assesses whether the applicant has good written and spoken ability in two languages. Criterion (5) assesses whether the applicant has good written and spoken ability in English.

The Guide to Application sets out the acceptable English assessment results: an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of no less than 7.0; a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test score of no less than 94 (or no less than 5 if the test is conducted on the 1–6 scale on or after 21 January 2026); and a College English Test Band 6 (CET-6) score of no less than 520. For Chinese, an applicant may achieve a result of no less than “pass” in the Putonghua Proficiency Test, or a result of no less than Level 3 in the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK).

In addition to transcripts, a written statement with supporting evidence may be submitted. Generally, if the applicant’s graduation certificate clearly shows that they hold a bachelor’s degree or above in a language-related subject, they will be recognised as fluent in that language. Even where proof has been submitted, the Immigration Department may still require the applicant to attend a designated language assessment test at their own expense.

Work Experience Criteria

Criteria (6) to (9) assess work experience. Work experience at “degree level” generally refers to positions within an organisation that must be held by persons with academic qualifications of degree level or above; “expert level” generally refers to positions that require a high level of specialised knowledge or skills.

The well-known enterprises referred to in Criterion (7) include, for example, listed companies or enterprises ranked in the Forbes Global 2000, the Fortune Global 500 and the Hurun China 500. The specific fields in Criterion (8) include “innovation and technology”, “finance” and “international trade” (which covers cross-boundary maritime and air transport, as well as supply chain management). For the criterion on international work experience, the relevant international work experience must have been acquired by the applicant outside their country or territory of origin and be at degree level or expert level.

The applicant must provide documentary proof 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 criterion. Whether the applicant’s work experience falls within a specific field or industry depends mainly on their duties, position or job title, rather than solely on the industry classification of their employing company; however, where the applicant holds a position with broad operational responsibilities such as Chief Executive Officer, General Manager or President, the nature of the company’s business will be a factor. An employer’s reference letter must be written on the company’s letterhead, bear the company chop and be signed by an authorised person.

Annual Income Criterion

Criterion (10) assesses whether the applicant’s annual income in the year immediately preceding the application reached HK$1 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency). Annual income means taxable employment or business income, including salary, allowances, share options and profits from companies the applicant owns; income derived from personal investments is not counted. The online application service system offers, in addition to HK$, 17 major currencies for applicants to choose from.

Business Ownership Criteria

Criterion (11) assesses whether the applicant currently owns a business entity whose annual profit in the year immediately preceding the application reached HK$5 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency). Criterion (12) assesses whether the applicant currently owns a listed company.

The definition of business ownership: the applicant absolutely and beneficially owns 50% or more of the ownership interests in a non-listed company, thereby having a controlling stake and influence over the business; or the applicant holds a substantial proportion of shares in a listed company, generally meaning absolutely and beneficially owning 10% or more of the ownership interests.

Achievement-based Points Test

The APT is for individuals with exceptional talent or skills and outstanding achievements, and the requirements of this test are extremely high. If an applicant is considered to meet one of the following two criteria, they will be regarded as meeting the eligibility requirements and will be further assessed by the Assessment Committee; those who do not meet them will be regarded as not meeting the eligibility requirements, and their application will be rejected immediately:

• Has received a distinguished achievement award (e.g. an Olympic medal, a Nobel Prize, or a national or international award).
• Can demonstrate that their work has been recognised by their peers, or has made a significant contribution to the development of their field (e.g. a lifetime achievement award in the relevant industry).

Applicants who choose to be assessed under the APT must provide, in the online application form, a 250- to 500-word summary of their achievements or contributions in their field.

Talent List and Priority Consideration

Applicants who meet the requirements of the Talent List will, after assessment, be given priority consideration under the GPT. Applicants must provide documents to prove that they meet the qualification and experience requirements of the relevant profession in the Talent List. The online Guide to Application form includes a field “belongs to a profession listed on the Talent List” for completion. The authorities have not specified any additional points for the Talent List.

Application Method, Fees and Assessment Procedure

Applicants must submit their application online and upload all supporting documents, and pay the relevant application fee; regardless of the outcome, the application fee paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. The QMAS is a “specified scheme”, and the application fee is HK$600 for each principal applicant or dependant; the visa issuance fee after approval operates on a two-tier basis, being HK$1,300 where the relevant period exceeds 180 days and HK$600 where it does not exceed 180 days. The new fee structure has applied since 11:00 am on 26 February 2025. Applicants may refer to the visa pathway document checklist.

Assessment is based on the information entered in the online form and the documents submitted. If circumstances change after submission and the applicant wishes to be assessed on the latest information, a new application must be submitted, and any previously submitted or pending application will be treated as withdrawn.

Not all applications that simultaneously meet the basic eligibility and the eligibility threshold will necessarily be approved, but applications meeting more assessment criteria will be given higher priority. The Director of Immigration may seek the advice of the high-level Assessment Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, on matters relating to applicants; the Committee comprehensively considers Hong Kong’s manpower needs, socio-economic needs and the applicant’s background and credentials. The Director of Immigration has absolute discretion to approve or reject any application under the two assessment mechanisms of this scheme without giving reasons.

For applicants submitted under the GPT, if they have been approved to remain in Hong Kong through any talent admission scheme within six months before or at the time of submitting the application (whether as a principal applicant or a dependant), they must simultaneously meet the eligibility for entry application and for extension of stay, including having been employed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and able to derive a stable income therefrom, or having established or been engaged in a business in the Hong Kong SAR.

The Immigration Department provides a “self-assessment tool” that allows applicants to enter, under the GPT, the assessment criteria they meet; the current version of the Guide to Application is ID(C) 982 (07/2026), with the Chinese version comprising 26 pages, from which samples of the “Consent for Entry to Hong Kong” applicable to residents of mainland China and the “Supplementary Information Page on Work Experience” may be downloaded.

Limit of Stay and Extension

Persons admitted under the GPT are generally granted, on first entry, a stay in the Hong Kong SAR of 36 months without other conditions of stay. Persons admitted under the APT are generally granted, on first entry, a stay in Hong Kong of eight years without other conditions of stay.

When applying for extension at the end of the 36-month limit of stay, GPT admittees must provide documentary proof satisfactory to the Immigration Department showing that they have taken steps to settle in Hong Kong and are residing in Hong Kong, such as being employed in a salaried position or having established a business. If the extension application is approved, the applicant is generally granted a stay in Hong Kong on a “3 + 2” year pattern, without other conditions of stay.

GPT admittees who have been in Hong Kong for no less than two years and whose assessable income for salaries tax in the preceding year of assessment reached HK$2 million or above will generally be granted an extension of stay in Hong Kong of five years without other conditions of stay. Even if the three-year limit of stay has not yet expired, they may submit an extension application for assessment under the Top Talent category; the newly granted five-year limit of stay will be counted from the start of the original limit of stay.

APT admittees who need to extend their stay must prove that they can independently cover the living and accommodation expenses for themselves and their dependants (if any) during their stay in Hong Kong.

An application for extension of stay should be made as early as possible within the three months before the limit of stay expires, and must in all cases be submitted at least six weeks before the limit of stay expires. Counting from receipt of all required documents and the relevant application fee, the Immigration Department can generally complete processing of an extension application within about two to three weeks; not all extension applications are approved.

Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the QMAS may, during the permitted period of stay, freely take up and change employment without prior approval from the Immigration Department.

An extension application must include the upload of the travel document, the Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID), and the relevant supporting documents listed in the Guide to Application. For employed persons, these may include the employment contract, the most recent salary advice, bank statements and the employer’s job description; for those who have established a business, the business registration certificate, company incorporation documents, audited financial statements, office tenancy agreement, staff list with proof of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions, proof of the applicant’s actual investment amount in the company, and future business expansion plan, among others.

Dependant Arrangements

Applicants may bring their spouse (or the other party to a locally recognised civil partnership or similar relationship) and unmarried dependant children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong. The applicant must prove that their net personal assets are sufficient to cover the living and accommodation expenses for themselves and their dependants for the first 12 months in Hong Kong.

Applicants under this scheme are advised to complete the accompanying dependants section together during the online application process. The dependants’ limit of stay is generally tied to that of their sponsor. Under the current policy, if the above persons are allowed to reside in Hong Kong as QMAS dependants, they may take up employment or study in Hong Kong without restriction.

Dependants may, within the three months before their limit of stay expires, apply for an extension of stay to reside in Hong Kong, provided that the applicant still meets the eligibility to reside in Hong Kong as a dependant and the sponsor remains a Hong Kong resident who is genuinely residing in the Hong Kong SAR.

Applicants who successfully pass the selection process will be notified in writing. If the applicant is a Chinese resident of mainland China, including mainland residents temporarily residing in the Hong Kong SAR or the Macao SAR, they must also submit a Consent for Entry to Hong Kong issued by their current mainland employer or the relevant mainland authority responsible for keeping their records; before residing in Hong Kong, they must apply to the relevant mainland authority for a Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao and the relevant Hong Kong endorsement. The visa or entry permit is issued in the form of an “e-Visa”.

Persons admitted to Hong Kong under this scheme who have been ordinarily resident in the Hong Kong SAR continuously for not less than seven years may, in accordance with the law, apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR. Non-permanent residents returning to Hong Kong do not need a re-entry permit, provided that their circumstances giving rise to Hong Kong resident status have not changed and they return to Hong Kong within the valid permitted limit of stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points are needed to pass the QMAS?

The QMAS GPT currently has no points table or “pass mark”. The current eligibility threshold is to meet 6 of the 12 assessment criteria, and only upon reaching the threshold may an application be submitted online.

Does the QMAS require a job offer in advance?

No. QMAS applicants are not required to have secured a local job offer before applying or being approved to settle in Hong Kong. The work experience criterion under the GPT is one of the assessment items, not a prerequisite for application.

How long is the initial limit of stay under the QMAS?

Persons approved under the GPT are generally granted an initial stay of 36 months on first entry; persons approved under the APT are generally granted an initial stay of eight years on first entry. Both are without other conditions of stay.

How far in advance must a QMAS extension be applied for?

An application for extension of stay should be made as early as possible within the three months before the limit of stay expires, and must in all cases be submitted at least six weeks before expiry. The Immigration Department generally completes processing within about two to three weeks.

May dependants accompany a QMAS applicant to Hong Kong?

Yes. Applicants may bring their spouse and unmarried dependant children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong, and are advised to complete the accompanying dependants section together when applying online; dependants may take up employment and study in Hong Kong without restriction.

May a person approved under the QMAS change jobs freely after arriving?

Yes. Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the QMAS may, during the permitted period of stay, freely take up and change employment without prior approval from the Immigration Department.

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 Guide to Application ID(C)982 – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Guide to Application forms page – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Self-assessment Tool – Immigration Department
• Aggregate List of Eligible Universities (QMAS) – Immigration Department
• “STEM” Subject Reference List – Immigration Department
• List of Third-party Credential Verification Organisations – Immigration Department
• Hong Kong Talent List: Immigration Facilitation
• New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes – 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.