QMAS Age Criterion: Aged 50 or Under, One of 12 Criteria

As of 7 October 2026, the Immigration Department’s current QMAS General Points Test (GPT) lists age as one of 12 assessment criteria, defined as “whether the applicant is aged 50 or under”, rather than awarding points on a declining scale by age. An applicant must meet 6 of the 12 criteria before submitting an application online; aside from age, the remaining criteria cover five categories: academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership. For the full entry routes under the scheme, see the QMAS entry routes.

Where Age Sits in the Assessment: Criterion (A)

Conclusion: Age falls under “(A) Age” among the six categories, occupying item (1) of the 12 assessment criteria, and is assessed as a pass/fail rather than by scoring.

The authorities divide the GPT’s 12 criteria into six categories: age, academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership. The age category contains only one criterion: “whether the applicant is aged 50 or under”.

The Immigration Department’s current webpage has no item-by-item score table and no “pass mark”. Each criterion is judged “yes” or “no” rather than by accumulated points.

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

Can Those Aged Over 50 Still Apply?

Conclusion: Yes. Those over 50 still satisfy the age requirement in the basic eligibility, but they fail to meet criterion (1) and must satisfy 6 of the remaining 11 criteria.

The basic eligibility requires the applicant to be aged 18 or above at the time of application. Those over 50 meet this basic eligibility, but under the GPT they fail to meet criterion (1), “whether aged 50 or under”.

The current application threshold is to meet 6 of the 12 assessment criteria. Having lost criterion (1), those over 50 must meet 6 of the 11 criteria from (2) to (12) to submit an application. The threshold may change from time to time without prior notice.

Which of the Other 11 Criteria Can Make Up the Difference

Conclusion: Apart from age, the 11 criteria are spread across five categories — academic qualifications, language ability, work experience, annual income and business ownership — and applicants may choose the items they meet based on their own background.

The table below lists the 12 criteria and their categories:

The academic qualifications category offers two criteria ((2)(3)), the language ability category offers two ((4)(5)), the work experience category offers four ((6) to (9)), the annual income category offers one ((10)), and the business ownership category offers two ((11)(12)).

Applicants may first use the QMAS self-check assessment tool to preliminarily verify which criteria they meet. Applicants who satisfy the Talent List requirements may be given priority consideration under the GPT and must provide documentary proof of the qualifications and experience requirements for the relevant profession in the List; the authorities have not specified any bonus point value for the Talent List.

Age Requirement in Basic Eligibility

Conclusion: Before submitting an application, an applicant must first pass four basic eligibility requirements, of which the age requirement is to be aged 18 or above — a different level from assessment criterion (1).

The QMAS selection process has four stages. The first stage is basic eligibility, which the applicant must meet first before proceeding to the assessment mechanism in the second stage.

The basic eligibility consists of four requirements:

• Age: aged 18 or above at the time of application.
• Financial requirement: prove the ability to meet one’s own and one’s dependants’ (if any) living and accommodation expenses during the stay in Hong Kong without relying on public assistance; the application notes further state that the applicant must prove a net personal asset value sufficient to cover the living and accommodation expenses of themselves and their dependants for the first 12 months in Hong Kong.
• Good character: no record of criminal conviction in Hong Kong or elsewhere, and no adverse immigration record.
• Basic academic qualifications: generally requires a university degree awarded by a recognised university or tertiary education institution; in exceptional circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional ability and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary proof may also be considered.

If an applicant fails to provide satisfactory documentary proof of meeting all basic eligibility, the application will be rejected immediately and will not be processed further.

At the basic eligibility level, age is 18 or above, whereas at the GPT assessment level it is criterion (1), “whether aged 50 or under”. For other entry routes besides the QMAS, see Immigration Policy and Visa Routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There an Upper Age Limit for the QMAS?

The official webpage does not list an upper age limit. The basic eligibility only requires the applicant to be aged 18 or above; under the GPT, criterion (1) is “whether aged 50 or under”, and those over 50 fail to meet this item but may still submit an application by meeting 6 of the remaining 11 criteria.

How Can Those Over 50 Reach 6 Criteria?

By making up the shortfall with criteria from the other five categories. Those over 50 must meet 6 of criteria (2) to (12), drawing from academic qualifications (master’s or doctoral, STEM-related), language ability, work experience (five years, multinational corporations, specific industries, international experience), annual income (HK$1 million) and business ownership (profit of HK$5 million or a listed company).

Does Being Aged 50 or Under Mean One Qualifies to Apply?

Not necessarily. Meeting criterion (1) only means passing one of the 12; the applicant must still meet 5 more of the remaining 11, making 6 in total, before an application can be submitted.

Are the Application Age and the Assessment Age Criterion the Same?

They are not the same. The basic eligibility requires the applicant to be aged 18 or above, whereas the GPT’s criterion (1) is “whether aged 50 or under”. They are different requirements at different stages.

Can Someone Under 50 Submit If They Have Not Met 6 Other Criteria?

No. The application threshold is to meet 6 of the 12 criteria. Meeting only criterion (1) without reaching the threshold on the remaining items means the submission threshold is not satisfied, and an application cannot be submitted online.

Official Sources

• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme — Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism — Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme FAQ — Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Application Notes ID(C)982 (07/2026) — Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Self-assessment Tool — Immigration Department
• Hong Kong Talent List: Immigration Facilitation

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