QMAS GPT: 12 Criteria, Six Categories, 6-Criteria Threshold | migration.hk

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: 12 General Points Test criteria, six categories, 6-criteria threshold, Achievement-based Points Test, stay arrangements.

QMAS GPT: 12 Criteria, Six Categories, 6-Criteria Threshold

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) General Points Test (GPT) now uses 12 assessment criteria, divided into six categories, to check application conditions. As the latest announcement by the Immigration Department as of 7 October 2026, the application eligibility threshold is meeting 6 of them in order to submit an application. The scheme does not require an applicant to have secured a local job offer before approval; the current official page also does not list a score table or annual quota figures. Applicants who meet the basic eligibility must then be assessed under either the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test (APT).

How is the General Points Test assessed now?

The General Points Test consists of 12 assessment criteria, covering six categories: age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership. The official page does not provide an item-by-item score table; each criterion is assessed simply on a “met or not met” basis, and applicants must declare each item and upload supporting documents.

Applicants who meet all basic eligibility may choose either the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test when submitting online; each applicant may submit only one application at a time and may be assessed under only one assessment mechanism. The Immigration Department provides a self-assessment tool for applicants to carry out a preliminary check against the various General Points Test criteria. Detailed assessment standards can be found on the QMAS assessment mechanism page. A comparison of related pathways is available on the scheme overview.

The 12 criteria at a glance

The official content of the 12 assessment criteria is set out below by the six categories.

Age category

Criterion (1): Is the applicant aged 50 or below?

Academic qualifications category

Criterion (2): Does the applicant hold a master’s or doctoral degree awarded by an eligible university?

Criterion (3): Is the applicant’s eligible master’s or doctoral degree related to a “STEM” subject, namely “Science”, “Technology”, “Engineering” or “Mathematics”?

All declared academic qualifications must meet the Hong Kong-recognised standard for a master’s or doctoral degree. Honorary master’s or honorary doctoral degrees, degrees not awarded by a nationally recognised or registered institution, and qualifications obtained from the continuing and professional education school, branch campus, extension school or affiliated school established by an eligible university are not accepted. Where necessary, the Immigration Department may 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.

“Eligible university” refers to the institutions listed in the Aggregate List of Eligible Universities compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The list is based on the eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), together with universities or institutions that have ranked among the top ten in the QS Global MBA Rankings and the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings over the past five years and that exclusively offer postgraduate programmes. Universities marked with ”*” in the list are newly added; Ecole Polytechnique, Université Grenoble Alpes, Universite Sorbonne Paris Cite-USPC and University of Freiburg have been removed from the list, and persons who graduated from the master’s or doctoral programmes of these four institutions will no longer meet the academic qualifications category criteria under the General Points Test from 1 January 2026.

The reference list of “STEM” subjects 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 a higher education institution, the applicant must provide the graduation certificate, a copy of the academic transcript, and an authentication document issued by a third-party credential verification organisation or the awarding institution together with verifiable information. Applicants who graduated from institutions that do not provide online qualification verification to external parties may refer to the list of third-party credential verification organisations, which includes CHSI, CSCSE, Parchment, Qualification Check and CeCredential Trust, among others.

Language proficiency category

Criterion (4): Does the applicant possess good written and spoken proficiency in two languages?

Criterion (5): Does the applicant possess good written and spoken English proficiency?

Acceptable English assessment results include: an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of not less than 7.0; a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test score of not less than 94 (or not less than 5 if the test was taken on or after 21 January 2026 under the 1-to-6 scoring system); and a College English Test Band 6 (CET-6) score of not less than 520. For Chinese, an applicant may obtain a result of not lower than “Pass” in the “Putonghua Proficiency Test”, or a result of not lower than Level 3 in the “Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)”.

In addition to transcripts, applicants may submit a written statement with supporting evidence; if the graduation certificate clearly shows that the applicant holds a bachelor’s degree or above in a language-related subject, this is generally accepted as evidence of fluent use of that language. Even where proof has been submitted, the Immigration Department may still require the applicant to take a designated language assessment test at their own expense.

Work experience category

Criterion (6): Does the applicant have no less than five years of work experience at degree level or expert level?

Criterion (7): Does the applicant have no less than three years of work experience at degree level or expert level in a multinational company or a well-known enterprise, such as a listed company or an enterprise ranked among the Forbes Global 2000, the Fortune Global 500 and the Hurun China 500?

Criterion (8): Does the applicant have no less than three years of work experience at degree level or expert level in a specific field or industry, including “innovation and technology”, “finance” and “international trade” (which covers cross-boundary shipping and air freight, as well as supply chain management)?

Criterion (9): Does the applicant have no less than two years of international work experience at degree level or expert level; such experience must have been acquired by the applicant outside their home country or territory?

“Degree level” work generally refers to a position within an organisation that must be held by a person with academic qualifications of at least bachelor’s degree level; “expert level” generally refers to a position requiring a high level of specialised knowledge or skills. Applicants must provide supporting documents to satisfy the Immigration Department that their position (including self-employment) reaches an appropriate rank, is full-time and meets the required duration. Whether work experience falls within a specific field depends mainly on the applicant’s duties, position or job title, rather than solely on the industry classification of the employing company; however, 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 becomes a relevant consideration. An employer’s recommendation letter must be written on company letterhead, bear the company chop and be signed by an authorised person.

Annual income category

Criterion (10): In the year immediately preceding the application, did the applicant’s annual income reach HK$1,000,000 or above (or its equivalent in foreign currency)? Annual income refers to taxable employment or business income, including salary, allowances, share options and profits from a company the applicant owns; income derived from personal investments is not counted. In addition to the Hong Kong dollar, the online application system offers 17 major currencies for applicants to choose from and be converted automatically.

Business ownership category

Criterion (11): Does the applicant currently own a business entity whose annual profit in the year immediately preceding the application reached HK$5,000,000 or above (or its equivalent in foreign currency)?

Criterion (12): Does the applicant currently own a listed company? Business ownership means the applicant absolutely and beneficially owns 50% or more of the ownership interests in a non-listed company, thereby having a controlling stake in and influence over the business; or holds a substantial proportion of shares in a listed company, usually meaning an absolute and beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the ownership interests.

Application eligibility threshold: 6 of 12 criteria met

The current application eligibility threshold is meeting 6 of the 12 assessment criteria, and only applicants who reach the threshold may submit an application online. The threshold may change from time to time without prior notice; as stated on the Immigration Department’s official website as of 7 October 2026, it is 6 criteria. Meeting the threshold does not mean approval is guaranteed; the Director of Immigration has absolute discretion to approve or reject any application without giving reasons.

Before submitting an application, an applicant must first meet four basic eligibility requirements: being aged 18 or above; being able to support, independently, the living and accommodation expenses of themselves and their dependants (if any) during their stay in Hong Kong without relying on public assistance; having no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere; and possessing good academic qualifications, generally requiring a university degree awarded by a recognised university or higher education institution, although in exceptional circumstances good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documents may also be considered. If an applicant fails to provide satisfactory proof of meeting all basic eligibility, the application will be rejected immediately and will not be further processed.

On the financial requirement, the official position generally accepts asset proof in four categories: bank deposits, real estate, securities and private business interests; examples of proof include a certificate of account balance or statement, investment statements issued by registered financial intermediaries, and the business’s most recent audited financial statements, among others. An applicant need not declare all personal assets, but only needs to state an amount sufficient to cover the living expenses of themselves and accompanying dependants for the first 12 months in Hong Kong and upload proof; if there are outstanding mortgage loans or other debts, the latest outstanding amount should be deducted from the declared net personal assets.

A General Points Test applicant who, at the time of submitting the application or within the preceding six months, has already been permitted to remain in Hong Kong under any talent admission scheme (whether as a principal applicant or a dependant) must simultaneously meet the eligibility for entry application and for extension of stay application, including having been employed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and able to derive a stable income therefrom, or having established or participated in a business in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Achievement-based Points Test

The Achievement-based Points Test is for individuals with exceptional talent or skill who have outstanding achievements, and the requirements are extremely high. Meeting one of the following two criteria is regarded as meeting the application eligibility and the applicant may be further assessed by the assessment committee; those who do not meet either are regarded as not meeting the eligibility and their application will be rejected immediately:

(a) having won an outstanding achievement award, such as an Olympic medal, a Nobel Prize, or a national or international award;

(b) being able to demonstrate that their work is recognised by peers, or has made a major contribution to the development of their field, such as a lifetime achievement award in the relevant industry.

Applicants who choose to be assessed under the Achievement-based Points Test must, in the online application form, give a brief account of 250 to 500 words of their achievements or contributions in their field.

After meeting the threshold: selection and stay arrangements

Applications that meet the basic eligibility and the application eligibility threshold will enter a selection process conducted periodically. Generally, not all applications that simultaneously meet the basic eligibility and the application eligibility threshold will necessarily be approved, but applications meeting more assessment criteria will be given priority consideration. The Director of Immigration may seek the advice of a high-level assessment committee chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, which holistically considers manpower needs, socio-economic needs and the applicant’s background and credentials, among other factors.

Applicants who meet the Talent List requirements, upon assessment, may be given priority consideration under the General Points Test, and must provide documents proving they meet the qualifications and experience requirements of the relevant profession in the list. The official position does not specify any bonus points value for the Talent List.

After passing selection, the visa or entry permit is issued in the form of an “e-Visa”. Successful applicants will be notified in writing. Mainland Chinese residents (including those temporarily residing in Hong Kong or Macao) whose applications are approved must submit a consent for residence in Hong Kong issued by their mainland employer or the relevant mainland authority responsible for keeping their records, and must obtain a “Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao” and the relevant Hong Kong entry endorsement before taking up residence in Hong Kong. Mainland Chinese residents holding a Chinese passport who submit their application overseas and who either already hold permanent resident status overseas, or had resided overseas for no less than one year immediately before the application, may use a valid Chinese passport without the need for a permit or Hong Kong entry endorsement.

Persons admitted under the General Points Test are generally granted an initial stay of 36 months upon first entry, not subject to other conditions of stay; persons admitted under the Achievement-based Points Test are generally granted an initial stay of eight years upon first entry, not subject to other conditions of stay.

When a General Points Test admittee applies for an extension at the end of the 36-month limit of stay, they must provide documents satisfying the Immigration Department that they have taken steps to settle in Hong Kong and are residing there, such as being employed in a salaried position or having established a business. An approved extension is generally granted on a “3 + 2” year pattern. Those who qualify under the top talent category — that is, having been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for no less than two years and whose assessable income for salaries tax in the preceding tax assessment year reached HK$2,000,000 or above — are generally granted an extension of five years; even if the three-year limit of stay has not yet expired, they may apply, and the new five-year limit of stay will be calculated from the original limit of stay.

Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the QMAS may, during the permitted stay, freely take up and change employment without prior approval from the Immigration Department. If circumstances change after submitting an application and the applicant wishes to be assessed on the latest information, they must submit a fresh application; the previously submitted or pending application will be treated as withdrawn. Continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong for no less than seven years entitles a person to apply for the right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR under the law; a non-permanent resident returning to Hong Kong does not need a re-entry visa, provided their circumstances giving rise to Hong Kong resident status remain unchanged and they return within the valid permitted limit of stay.

An applicant may bring their spouse (or the other party to a locally legally recognised civil partnership or similar relationship) and unmarried dependant children under 18 to Hong Kong. The dependant’s limit of stay is generally tied to that of the sponsor, and they may work and study in Hong Kong without restriction. The list of supporting documents required for the application can be found in the visa pathway document checklist.

Applications are submitted online together with uploaded supporting documents and payment of the application fee; regardless of the outcome, the application fee paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. The QMAS is a “specified scheme”, and under the new charging framework the application fee is HK$600 per application, while the post-approval visa issuance fee operates on a two-tier basis: HK$1,300 where the relevant period exceeds 180 days, and HK$600 where it does not exceed 180 days; the new charges took effect from 11:00 am on 26 February 2025. The current Application Guide ID(C) 982 is the 07/2026 edition. For online estimation, visit the QMAS self-assessment tool.

Frequently asked questions

How many criteria must be met under the QMAS?

The current application eligibility threshold is meeting 6 of the 12 assessment criteria in order to submit an application. The threshold may change from time to time without prior notice, and is subject to the latest announcement on the Immigration Department’s official website.

Does the QMAS still use scores?

The official current General Points Test page does not list a score table, pass mark or full score. Each criterion is assessed simply on a “met or not met” basis; an application may be submitted only upon reaching the 6-criteria threshold, and approval is at the discretion of the Director of Immigration.

Who is the Achievement-based Points Test suitable for?

The Achievement-based Points Test is suitable for individuals with exceptional talent or skill who have outstanding achievements. An applicant must meet one of two criteria — having won an outstanding achievement award, or having work recognised by peers and making a major contribution to the development of their field; those who meet neither will have their application rejected immediately.

How long can one stay on the first QMAS admission?

Those admitted under the General Points Test are generally granted an initial stay of 36 months upon first entry. Those admitted under the Achievement-based Points Test are generally granted an initial stay of eight years upon first entry; neither is subject to other conditions of stay.

May dependants accompany the applicant to Hong Kong?

An applicant may bring their spouse and unmarried dependant children under 18 to Hong Kong. The dependant’s limit of stay is generally tied to that of the sponsor, and they may work and study in Hong Kong without restriction.

When should an extension of stay be lodged?

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

Official sources

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