Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a quota-based entrant scheme to invite highly skilled, talented persons and entrepreneurs to live in Hong Kong, as a way to enhance Hong Kong economic competitiveness and growth.

Applicants must pass a point-based test, which is to be assessed either under the General Points Test or the Achievement-based Points Test. The minimum passing mark (80 points out of 225 points) is set under the General Points Test. Under the Achievement-based Points Test, applicants must have an outstanding profile.

The applicants selected under General Points Test will usually be issued a 24-month visa, while those chosen under the Achievement-based Points Test will generally be granted a permit of 8 years.

A major benefit of this scheme is that applicants are not required to have secured an offer of local employment before their entry to Hong Kong for settlement.

Eligibility

Exclusions:

Applicants must have no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.

Age:

Financial requirement:

The principal applicant must be able to support and accommodate dependents, if any, at their own costs and on their own resources without relying on Hong Kong’s public funds or assistance.

Language proficiency:

Proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

Basic educational qualification:

Good technical qualifications, professional experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence.

Dependents:

The length of stay of the dependents will be tied to that of their sponsor’s. Dependent visa holders may work or study in Hong Kong during their stay.

Document Checklist

1. Application Form (English or Chinese Version)
2. The personal particulars page of your passport, and latest arrival stamp or extension of stay if you are physically present in Hong Kong at the time of your application
3. Dependent(s) visa application form(s) along with supporting documents for each of the accompanying family members, if any
4. Proof of personal net worth such as bank statements, investments and businesses records, etc.
5. Proof of language proficiency in Chinese or English (language certificates, language test results such as IELTS, academic records, etc.)
6. Copies and originals of academic qualifications such as graduation certificates, transcripts, etc. (of both applicant and accompanying spouse, if any)
7. Proof of academic or professional qualifications or personal achievements, e.g., graduate degrees, reference letters, employment contracts, etc. (of both applicant and accompanying spouse, if any)

Procedures

Step 1: Application

Step 2: Selection

Step 3: Selection Exercise

Step 4: Approval-in-Principle

Step 5: Issuing of Visa

Once the Immigration Department is satisfied that all statements made or information provided during the application are true and complete, you will be granted a formal approval.

Within one week of granting the formal approval, you will be issued an entry visa/entry permit for stay in Hong Kong under the Scheme. Most visas issued under this Scheme are valid for a 1-year period.

Processing Time

From the submission of the application form up until the Approval-in-Principle, it could take approximately 9 to 15 months, subject to change without prior notice by the Immigration Department.

General Points Test

Under the General Points Test, there are six point-scoring factors relating to age, academic/professional qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, profession sector, and family background. The minimum passing mark is 80 out of a maximum of 225 Points.

Additional points will be awarded to holders of a degree at the bachelor level or higher obtained from a internationally recognized institution. The institution concerned should be ranked among the top 100 universities/institutions in any of the four world university ranking tables published by the QS World University Rankings, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Times Higher Education and U.S. News and World Report, or among the top 30 colleges in the National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings published by the U.S. News and World Report.

According to the Hong Kong’s Talent List 2020, these 11 professions would earn applicants an extra 30 points:

1. Waste Treatment Specialists
2. Asset Management Professionals
3. Marine Insurance Professionals
4. Actuaries
5. Fintech Professionals
6. Data Scientists & Cyber Security Specialists
7. Innovation and Technology Experts
8. Naval Architects
9. Marine Engineers & Superintendents of Ships
10. Creative Industries Professionals
11. Dispute Resolution Professionals & Transactional Lawyers
12. Achievement-based Points Test

Tip:

As per statistical information on the QMAS report in 2020, if your profession is included in the Talent List of Hong Kong, your chances of being selected under the QMAS Scheme is over 95%. To learn more about the Talent List, please also refer to our article Hong Kong In-demand Talent List.

Achievement-based Points Test

Individuals with exceptional talent or skill with outstanding achievements, such as Olympic medalists, Nobel prize winners, or lifetime-achievement award recipients from their industries will be awarded 225 points. The requirement under this test is obviously very high. Those who are considered to have met one of the criteria under this test will be awarded the 225 points; otherwise, no point will be awarded. Applications which fail to score points under this test will be instantly refused.

Whether you are thinking of applying under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, or exploring ways to become a Hong Kong permanent resident, or just seeking to acquire a Hong Kong work visa as a professional or an Entrepreneur, do reach out to us, and we will point you to the right direction. For a free assessment under the QMAS or other schemes, please contact us at info@kaizenvis.com

Related Topics: Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) | Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrance Scheme (CIES)

Should you need any assistance or wish to obtain more information, please also browse our official website at www.kaizenvis.com or contact us through the following means:

T: +852 2341 1444

M: +852 5616 4140, +86 152 1943 4614

WhatsApp / Line / Signal / WeChat: +852 5616 4140

Skype: kaizencpa

E: info@kaizenvis.com