Pathway

Hong Kong Skilled Migrant Visa

Hong Kong Residency

Last updated August 20, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

Hong Kong's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is a selective talent route for highly skilled or exceptionally accomplished people who want to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a local job offer. Applicants must meet the basic requirements and then pass either the current General Points Test threshold or the much narrower Achievement-based Points Test.

Type: Talent residence
Job fit: Highly skilled or talented applicants; no job offer required
Core requirements: Basic prerequisites plus the current assessment threshold and selection
What to know: Approval is discretionary under the official assessment process
Salary requirement: --
Job offer required?: No

Summary

Hong Kong's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, or QMAS, is a selective talent route for highly skilled or exceptionally accomplished people who want to settle in Hong Kong. The important feature is that applicants do not need a local job offer before applying.

QMAS is not automatic. Since 1 November 2024, the General Points Test has used 12 yes-or-no assessment criteria across age, education, languages, work experience, income, and business ownership. The current filing threshold is six criteria, but meeting six does not guarantee selection. A separate Achievement-based Points Test is reserved for people with exceptional awards or widely recognized contributions. General Points Test entrants are normally granted an initial 36-month stay, with extensions tied to taking real steps to settle in Hong Kong, such as employment or business activity.

Eligibility

You generally need to satisfy all of the basic prerequisites:

You are at least 18 when applying.
You can support yourself and any dependents without relying on public assistance in Hong Kong.
You have no criminal record or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
You have a good educational background, normally a first degree from a recognized university or tertiary institution, or strong technical qualifications, professional abilities, or achievements.
You are not a national of a country excluded from the scheme.
You meet at least six of the current 12 General Points Test criteria, or you meet one of the very demanding Achievement-based Points Test criteria.

General Points Test

The 12 criteria are not a general professional-profile score. Several are demanding and specific: for example, a master's or doctoral degree from an eligible university, graduate-level experience of specified lengths or kinds, annual income of at least HKD 1 million, or ownership of a highly profitable or listed business. Review each current criterion before deciding that the route fits.

Achievement-based Points Test

This alternative is for exceptional cases, such as a major national or international award, or proof that the applicant's work has been recognized by peers or has made a significant contribution to the field. Ordinary career success is not enough by itself.

Dependents

Successful applicants may be able to bring a spouse or qualifying partner and unmarried dependent children under 18, provided they can support and accommodate them.

What This Route Allows

QMAS can let approved applicants enter Hong Kong for residence without being tied to a pre-arranged employer. Holders may take or change employment during the permitted stay without seeking advance approval. General Points Test entrants normally receive an initial 36-month stay and can seek extensions if they can show real settlement steps such as employment or establishing a business.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a guaranteed route once you reach the filing threshold. Hong Kong says not every applicant who meets the prerequisites and threshold will be approved; applicants meeting more criteria are considered more favorably, and the Director of Immigration retains discretion.

Next Steps

Confirm that your nationality is eligible for QMAS.
Use the current official criteria to count how many of the 12 General Points Test criteria you can prove, or confirm that you meet one of the exceptional Achievement-based criteria.
Gather education, professional, achievement, financial, and good-character documentation.
Confirm that you meet the current filing threshold and can document every criterion you claim.
Submit the online application and supporting documents through Hong Kong's official process.
If approved, plan the first 36 months around employment, business formation, or other concrete settlement evidence for extension.

Sources

Hong Kong Immigration Department - Quality Migrant Admission Scheme - official process, selection rules, discretion, and application information.
Hong Kong Immigration Department - QMAS assessment routes - current 12 General Points Test criteria, filing threshold, and Achievement-based criteria.
Hong Kong Immigration Department - QMAS frequently asked questions - prerequisites, work rights, initial stay, dependents, and extension evidence.