QMAS Self-Check: 12 GPT Criteria and the 6-Criterion Threshold

The QMAS on-site self-check tool now operates as an “assessment criteria self-check”, allowing applicants to tick each of the 12 assessment criteria under the General Points Test (GPT). The current eligibility threshold is to meet 6 of the 12 criteria; only upon reaching the threshold may an application be submitted online. The mechanism described in this article is based on the content published on the Immigration Department website as of 7 October 2026.

What the self-check covers: the 12 assessment criteria and the threshold

The official selection mechanism is divided into four stages. The first stage is basic eligibility, where an applicant must meet all the basic eligibility requirements before proceeding to the second-stage assessment mechanism. The second stage offers two mechanisms: the General Points Test (GPT) and the Achievement-based Points Test (APT). An applicant chooses one of the two, and each applicant may be assessed under only one mechanism at a time.

The on-site assessment criteria self-check tool corresponds to the General Points Test at the second stage. The tool does not calculate scores; it merely lets applicants confirm, item by item, whether they meet the 12 criteria.

The four basic eligibility requirements must be satisfied first. At the time of application, the applicant must be aged 18 or above; must be able to prove they can financially support themselves and their dependants (if any) in terms of living and accommodation expenses during their stay in Hong Kong, without relying on public assistance; must not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere; and must possess good academic qualifications, generally meaning a university degree awarded by a recognised university or institution of higher education. If an applicant fails to provide satisfactory documentary proof of meeting all the basic eligibility requirements, the application will be rejected immediately and will not be processed further.

The 12 criteria under the General Points Test cover six areas. The table below sets out the content of each criterion; the current eligibility threshold is to meet 6 of them. The threshold may be changed from time to time without prior notice.

Applicants who meet the Talent List requirements may, upon assessment, be given priority consideration under the General Points Test. Applicants must provide documents proving they meet the qualifications and experience requirements of the relevant profession in the Talent List; see Hong Kong Talent List: Immigration Facilitation for details. The authorities have not specified any bonus point value for the Talent List.

How to tick each item

Open the on-site assessment criteria self-check tool.

Read each criterion in order by the six areas.

Compare against your own circumstances and tick only the criteria you genuinely meet.

The system displays the number of criteria ticked; reaching 6 means you meet the eligibility threshold for submitting an application.

The details of each criterion must be judged by the official definitions. The points to note when ticking are explained below by area.

Age and academic qualifications

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

Criterion (2) requires holding a master’s or doctoral degree awarded by an eligible university. The list of eligible universities is compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, and can be found in the Aggregate List of Eligible Universities (PDF). Honorary master’s/doctoral degrees, or degrees not awarded by a nationally recognised or registered institution, are not accepted; academic qualifications obtained from the School of Continuing and Professional Education, branch campuses, extension colleges or affiliated colleges of an eligible university are also not accepted.

Criterion (3) requires that the master’s or doctoral degree is in a “STEM” discipline. You may refer to the Reference List of “STEM” Subjects (PDF); the list is for reference only, and subjects not on the list may still be considered, but supporting documents must be submitted.

Language proficiency

Criterion (4) requires good written and spoken ability in two languages.

Criterion (5) requires good written and spoken ability in English. Acceptable English test results include: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of not less than 7.0; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test of not less than 94 (if the test was taken on or after 21 January 2026 under the 1–6 scoring scale, then not less than 5); College English Test Band 6 (CET-6) of not less than 520. For Chinese, a Putonghua Proficiency Test result of not lower than “pass”, or a Chinese Proficiency Test of not lower than Level 3 may be used. Holders of a bachelor’s degree or above in a language-related subject (clearly stated on the graduation certificate) are generally recognised as being able to use the relevant language fluently.

Work experience, income and business ownership

Criteria (6) to (9) all require work experience “at degree level or expert level”. Degree-level work generally refers to a position that must be held by a person with academic qualifications no lower than a bachelor’s degree; expert level generally refers to a position requiring a high level of specialised knowledge or skill. Whether work experience falls within a particular field mainly depends on the duties, post or job title, rather than solely on the industry classification of the employing company.

Criterion (10) requires annual income for the year immediately preceding the application reaching HK$1 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency). Annual income refers to taxable employment or business income, including salary, allowances, share options and profits from companies the applicant owns; income generated from personal investments is not counted.

Criterion (11) requires currently owning a business entity whose annual profit for the year immediately preceding the application reaches HK$5 million or above (or equivalent in foreign currency). Criterion (12) requires currently owning a listed company. Business ownership means absolute beneficial ownership of 50% or more of a non-listed company, or holding a substantial proportion of shares in a listed company (generally meaning absolute beneficial ownership of 10% or more).

For the definition and proof requirements of each criterion, refer to Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism and Application Guide ID(C)982.

What to do after meeting the 6-criterion threshold

Meeting the 6 criteria only means passing the submission threshold of the second stage (assessment mechanism). The applicant must first meet the four basic eligibility requirements at the first stage; after submission, the application enters the third-stage selection process, which is conducted periodically by the Immigration Department.

Not all applications that simultaneously meet the basic eligibility and the eligibility threshold are necessarily approved. Applications meeting more assessment criteria will be given priority consideration; the Director of Immigration may consult the high-level Assessment Committee chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and has absolute discretion to approve or reject any application without giving reasons.

Application submission must be done online. Open the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Online Application.

Complete the online application form and upload all supporting documents.

Pay the application fee. The QMAS is a specified scheme; the application fee is HK$600 per application and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Upon approval, the visa issuance fee follows a two-tier system: HK$1,300 for a relevant period exceeding 180 days, and HK$600 for a period not exceeding 180 days. The new fees have applied since 11:00 am on 26 February 2025; see New Fee Structure for Specified Schemes’ Visa Applications for details.

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 fresh application must be submitted, and the previously submitted/pending application will be treated as withdrawn.

If the application is approved, written notification will be issued, and the visa/entry permit will be issued in the form of an electronic visa. Those admitted under the General Points Test are generally allowed a first stay of 36 months upon first entry; those admitted under the Achievement-based Points Test are generally allowed a first stay of eight years upon first entry, both free from other conditions of stay.

After approval, mainland residents must, before coming to reside in Hong Kong, apply to the mainland authorities for the Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao together with the relevant endorsement to Hong Kong, and submit a consent letter for residing in Hong Kong issued by their employer or the relevant mainland authority. Those holding a Chinese passport who submit their application overseas and already hold permanent resident status overseas, or who had resided overseas for no less than one year immediately before the application, may use a valid Chinese passport without the need for the permit and endorsement to Hong Kong.

For other talent admission routes, see Various Talent Schemes.

Limits of the self-check results

The self-check tool only helps applicants preliminarily verify whether they meet the 12 criteria. The Immigration Department’s final assessment is based on the information entered in the online form and the documents submitted, and is subject to the discretion of the Director of Immigration.

The tool does not simulate selection outcomes. Meeting the 6 criteria only indicates satisfying the submission threshold and does not predict approval; applicants meeting more criteria receive priority consideration, but this is not a guarantee of approval.

The tool does not replace the definitions and proof requirements set out in the application guide for each criterion. Applicants should rely on the original texts of Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism and Application Guide ID(C)982; graduates of institutions that do not offer online qualification verification may prepare authentication in accordance with the List of Third-party Credential Verification Organisations (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does meeting 6 criteria on the self-check guarantee approval?

Conclusion: Meeting 6 criteria is only the eligibility threshold for submitting an application and does not mean approval is guaranteed. The applicant must first meet the four basic eligibility requirements at the first stage, then reach 6 criteria under the General Points Test at the second stage, after which the Immigration Department conducts periodic selection; those meeting more assessment criteria receive priority consideration, but the Director of Immigration has absolute discretion to approve or reject an application without giving reasons.

Can the Achievement-based Points Test be self-checked?

Conclusion: The on-site self-check tool only covers the 12 assessment criteria under the General Points Test and does not apply to the Achievement-based Points Test. The Achievement-based Points Test is for individuals with exceptional talent or skills who have outstanding achievements, and who must meet one of its criteria (having received an outstanding achievement award, or having work recognised by peers / having made a significant contribution to the development of the field); the application is further assessed by the Assessment Committee. Applicants who do not meet the criteria will have their application rejected immediately.

Does the list of eligible universities change?

Conclusion: Yes. The Aggregate List of Eligible Universities is compiled and updated by the Labour and Welfare Bureau; for example, Adelaide University and University of Vienna are newly added universities, while Ecole Polytechnique, Université Grenoble Alpes, Universite Sorbonne Paris Cite-USPC and University of Freiburg have been removed from the list, and graduates of master’s or doctoral programmes from these four institutions have no longer met the academic qualifications criteria since 1 January 2026.

How are the currencies of annual income and business profit handled?

Conclusion: Criterion (10) annual income and Criterion (11) business profit are both benchmarked at HK$1 million or HK$5 million (or equivalent in foreign currency). The online application system offers, in addition to the Hong Kong dollar, 17 major currencies for applicants to choose from with automatic conversion; income generated from personal investments is not counted as annual income.

After meeting the threshold, how much is the application fee and is it refundable?

Conclusion: The QMAS application fee is HK$600 per application and is not refundable regardless of the outcome. Upon approval, the visa issuance fee follows a two-tier system: HK$1,300 for a relevant period exceeding 180 days, and HK$600 for a period not exceeding 180 days; the new fees have applied since 11:00 am on 26 February 2025.

Official sources

• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Assessment Mechanism – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Application Guide ID(C)982 – Immigration Department
• Aggregate List of Eligible Universities (QMAS, PDF) – Immigration Department
• Reference List of “STEM” Subjects (PDF) – Immigration Department
• List of Third-party Credential Verification Organisations (PDF) – Immigration Department
• Hong Kong Talent List: Immigration Facilitation
• New Fee Structure for Specified Schemes’ Visa Applications – Immigration Department
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Online Application – GovHK

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