Settle in Hong Kong under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a quota-based entrant scheme to attract highly skilled and talented people to come to add to Hong Kong’s competitiveness.
Except for awardees of exceptional achievement, such as Olympic medals, all applicants will be assessed under a General Points Test which is purely based on their anticipated contribution to Hong Kong through their qualifications, skills, achievements and are not required to first secure an offer of employment in Hong Kong before applying.
A successful applicant will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months upon entry. After that, he or she will have to make an extension application together with evidence proving that reasonable steps have been taken for settling and residing in Hong Kong and that contribution to Hong Kong has been made through employment at a senior level or establishment of a business. With subsequent successful extensions, an applicant will normally be permitted to stay on a 3-2 years pattern. Where an applicant has been permitted to stay in Hong Kong for not less than two years and has an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of assessment, an extension of 6 years may normally be granted. Those who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in Hong Kong.
In 2024, Hong Kong government expect to reform a new mechanism under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme for the proactive invitation of top-notch talents for development, and promote Hong Kong as the focal point of international high-calibre talents.
Effective from 26th February 2025, an application fee of HKD 600 will be charged for various talent and capital investor admission schemes. Additionally, visa fees will be adjusted based on the duration of stay, increasing to either HKD 600 or HKD 1,300.
Family Members in a QMAS Application
An applicant may apply to bring in his/her spouse or lawful domestic partner (same-sex or opposite-sex) and unmarried dependant children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong under the same application. However if the applicant has been admitted to Hong Kong, he or she will be the sponsor of their dependants’ application.
Restrictions and Pre-requisites under QMAS
QMAS does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.
To be eligible for making a QMAS application, the applicant must :
- Be aged 18 or above and have proof of financial strength in supporting and accommodating himself/herself and, if any, his/her dependants during his/her stay in Hong Kong, such as assets in the form of bank deposits, real estate, securities or interests in privately owned business
- Not have any criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere
- Be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English
- Normally possess a first degree from a recognized university or tertiary education institution or, under special circumstances, good technical qualifications and/or proven abilities, experience and achievements
Quota and General Points Test for a QMAS Application
The General Points Test now has a simpler, more objective True/False questions based system . Applicants will complete an assessment questionnaire that covers six key areas: age, education, language skills, work experience, income, and business ownership. As of 1st NOV, 2024, applicants need to meet at least six out of twelve criteria across these areas and provide supporting documents for each.
High scoring applications will be short-listed for assessment by the Committee. Applicants successfully being allotted a quota will be issued an Approval-in-principle letter. They will then have to come to Hong Kong as a visitor to attend an interview and supply originals of their submitted documents for verification. Approval will be granted after all necessary application procedures are finalized and original documents verified.
The Six Factors General Points Test
GPT has shifted from scoring system to True/False Scheme including six major aspects as below:
| Aspects | Assessment Criteria |
| (A) Age |
(1) Whether the applicant is aged 50 or below |
| (B) Academic Qualifications |
(2) Whether the applicant has a master’s or doctoral degree awarded by an eligible university |
| (3) Whether the applicant’s master’s or doctoral degree awarded by an eligible university is pertinent to “STEM”, i.e. science, technology, engineering or mathematics | |
| (C) Language Proficiency |
(4) Whether the applicant is proficient in two languages, both written and spoken |
| (5) Whether the applicant is proficient in written and spoken English | |
| (D) Work Experience |
(6) Whether the applicant has no less than five years’ graduate or specialist level work experience |
| (7) Whether the applicant has no less than three years’ graduate or specialist level work experience in multi-national companies (MNCs) or reputable enterprises, such as listed companies or companies on the lists of The Global 2000 by Forbes, the Fortune Global 500 and the Hurun China 500 | |
| (8) Whether the applicant has no less than three years’ graduate or specialist level work experience in one of the specific fields/industries, including “innovation and technology”, “finance” and “international trade” (including cross-boundary marine and aviation transportation, and supply chain management) | |
| (9) Whether the applicant has no less than two years’ graduate or specialist level work experience with international exposure | |
| (E) Annual Income |
(10) Whether the applicant has an annual income reaching HK$1 million or above, or its equivalent in foreign currency, in the year immediately preceding the date of application |
| (F) Business Ownership |
(11) Whether the applicant currently owns a business entity with an annual profit reaching HK$5 million or above, or its equivalent in foreign currency, in the year immediately preceding the date of application |
| (12) Whether the applicant currently owns a listed company |
Special Consideration for Individuals with Exceptional Talents, Skills or Achievements
Where it is accepted that an applicant has received an award of exceptional achievement (such as Olympic medals, Nobel prize or national/international awards) or he/she has made significant contribution to the development of his/her field (such as lifetime achievement award from the industry), a full 225 points will be given without the need to go through the Six-factor General Points Test.
Counting on FastLane HR for Assistance in QMAS Applications
Applying for QMAS can be complex and time-consuming if you do not know exactly the documents and justifications you need to provide to meet the scoring requirement of QMAS. It is always best to do it right the first time than trial and errors. FastLane HR has a team of experienced professionals familiar with the requirements and processes involved in obtaining approval under the QMAS. We also offer renewals for QMAS. FastLane HR is the perfect partner for people who need QMAS application assistance to obtain approval in one go.
Full Services offered by FastLane HR to Facilitate QMAS Applications
- Understand your situation and needs
- Assist and/or advise preparation of required documents
- Review documents provided by the applicant
- Prepare declarations, application forms and letters of authorisation
- Submit application to the Immigration Department
- Follow-up and communicate with the Immigration Department and provide additional supporting documents when required
- Continuous communications with the applicant
- Arrange payment and collection of approval label
- Send the approval label to the applicant
Information posted on this website in relation to policies by the Hong Kong Government are based on latest announcements and guidelines as published by relevant government departments at the time of posting. FastLane HR will not be responsible for any loss or damages incurred as a result of any inaccuracy of such information.
Date: November 2025