QMAS Form: APT Profile, Talent List, Recommendation Letter

As of 7 October 2026, the content that applicants must write in text within the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) online application form falls mainly into two categories. Those assessed under the Achievement-based Points Test (APT) must provide a 250–500-word profile in the form of their achievements or contributions in their field. The form also includes an item “Belonging to a profession listed on the Talent List”, where applicants must select their profession from a drop-down menu and detail the relevant achievements; this applies to applications that meet the Talent List requirements under the General Points Test (GPT) and may be given priority consideration. The level and nature of work experience, however, must be evidenced by documents such as an employer recommendation letter in the official prescribed format, rather than by a self-written proposal. For the overall context of eligibility and the assessment mechanism, please refer to the QMAS introduction.

Which parts of the online form must you write yourself

The form is divided into items to be completed according to the assessment mechanism and supporting documents to be uploaded; the narrative fields that genuinely require the applicant to write are concentrated in the APT profile and the Talent List profession field.

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

The General Points Test (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 requires meeting 6 of them before an online application can be submitted. This mechanism is primarily based on ticking the criteria, and includes a Talent List profession field for detailing achievements; the number of criteria met can first be checked using the site’s QMAS assessment criteria self-check.

The Achievement-based Points Test (APT) must be stated in writing. Applicants who choose this mechanism must provide a 250–500-word profile in the online application form of their achievements or contributions in their field.

What to write in the 250–500-word APT profile

The Achievement-based Points Test (APT) is for individuals with exceptional talent or skills who have outstanding achievements, and the requirements are extremely high.

Meeting one of the following two criteria is regarded as meeting the eligibility requirements, and the Assessment Committee will conduct further assessment; applications that do not meet them will be rejected immediately:

• Having received an outstanding achievement award, such as an Olympic medal, a Nobel Prize, or a national or international award;
• Having work recognised by peers, or having made a significant contribution to the development of one’s field, such as a lifetime achievement award in the relevant industry.

The online form requires a 250–500-word profile of the applicant’s achievements or contributions in their field. This text should be structured around the criteria above, explaining the specific details of the awards received or peer recognition and the field contributions, and should corroborate the supporting documents uploaded.

How to describe relevant achievements in the Talent List profession field

The online application form includes an item “Belonging to a profession listed on the Talent List”, for applicants to complete.

Applicants must select their profession from a menu and detail their achievements in the relevant profession. Applicants who meet the Talent List requirements, after assessment, may be given priority consideration under the General Points Test (GPT).

Completion of this field must be supported by documentary evidence. Applicants must provide documents proving they meet the qualifications and experience requirements of the corresponding profession on the Talent List; merely stating so in the field without supporting documents is insufficient to support the claim. The authorities have not prescribed a points value for the Talent List.

Official format for recommendation letters and proof of position level

Work experience is not evidenced by a freely written paragraph, but by documents such as an employer recommendation letter in the official format.

The employer recommendation letter must be written on company letterhead, bear the company stamp, and be signed by an authorised person, stating the relevant information.

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; the position must also be full-time and meet the required duration.

Work experience at “degree level” generally refers to a position within an organisation that must be held by a person with academic qualifications no lower than a bachelor’s degree; work experience at “expert level” generally refers to a position that requires a high level of specialised knowledge or skills.

Whether an applicant’s work experience belongs to a specific field or industry depends mainly on their duties, position or job title, rather than merely on the industry classification of their employing company. When holding a position with broad operational responsibility such as CEO, general manager or president, the nature of the company’s business becomes a relevant factor. Specific fields include “innovation and technology”, “finance” and “international trade” (which includes cross-border shipping and air freight, as well as supply chain management).

Most common mistakes when writing

The most common mistake is to treat items that require documentary proof as freely written fields, or to let the statement in the field become disconnected from the supporting documents prepared.

First, the 250–500-word profile under the APT does not correspond to one of the two criteria. Applications that do not meet the criteria are rejected immediately; the text must clearly point to the outstanding achievement award received or peer recognition and field contribution.

Second, in the Talent List profession field, the profession is merely selected without detailing achievements, or documents cannot be provided to prove meeting the qualifications and experience requirements of the corresponding profession.

Third, the employer recommendation letter is not written on company letterhead, does not bear the company stamp, or is not signed by an authorised person, so that the job level and work experience cannot be accepted as satisfactory.

Fourth, citing the industry of the employing company instead of one’s own duties, position or job title to claim work experience in a specific field; assessment mainly looks at duties and position, and the company’s industry is not the determining factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the QMAS application require a “proposal”?

Conclusion: No. The official online application form has no “proposal” item. Those who choose the APT only need to provide a 250–500-word profile of their achievements or contributions; those who meet the Talent List must detail their achievements in the profession field and provide documentary proof.

Is there a word limit for the achievement statement?

Conclusion: Yes. Applicants who choose the APT must provide a 250–500-word profile in the online application form of their achievements or contributions in their field. There is no such word limit under the GPT, but the Talent List profession field requires a detailed account of the relevant achievements.

Is there a prescribed format for the employer recommendation letter?

Conclusion: Yes. The employer recommendation letter must be written on company letterhead, bear the company stamp and be signed by an authorised person, stating the relevant information; the applicant must also prove that the position reaches the appropriate level, is full-time and meets the required duration.

Does the Talent List profession field require submission of supporting documents?

Conclusion: Yes. Applicants must provide documents proving they meet the qualifications and experience requirements of the corresponding profession on the Talent List; merely stating so in the field without supporting documents is insufficient to support the claim.

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 Guide ID(C)982 – Immigration Department
• Hong Kong Talent List: Immigration Facilitation

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.