Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission scheme might be relevant to you if you are considering a job in Hong Kong. As always, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you start.
HONG KONG QUALITY MIGRANT ADMISSION SCHEME
The Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme uses a points-based system of evaluation, awarding points for things like age, education, and language proficiency.
With the aid of this programme, you may obtain a visa that will enable you to live permanently in Hong Kong and support yourself there.
You are qualified for various professional job lists in the Hong Kong area once you have been accepted into the QMAS category.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF HONG KONG QUALITY MIGRANT ADMISSION SCHEME
Apart from citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea, Nepal, and Vietnam, any visitors may apply for a QMAS visa if they meet the following criteria:
- Age – When requesting a QMAS visa from Hong Kong, you must be at least 18 years old.
- Financial requirements – Possess the means without the aid of Hong Kong’s government assistance to support and house oneself, as well as any dependents, if any.
- Language proficiency – Individuals should be proficient in both written and spoken forms of Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.
- Educational qualifications – You must have a strong educational foundation. Typically, having an undergraduate degree from a reputable university or higher school is preferred. But, in exceptional cases, without such a degree, documentation of strong technical credentials, pertinent professional talents, accomplishments, and experience will be taken into consideration.
POINT-BASED TESTS
Candidates who meet the prerequisites additionally need to pass one of the point-based exams:
General Points Test
The General Points Exam has five point-scoring categories: age, educational and professional background, job experience, language ability, and family history. Out of a possible 165 points, 80 is the minimum score required to pass.
Achievement-Based Points Test
The Achievement-Based Points Test is designed for those with great talent or skill who have accomplished remarkable things. This test only has one point-scoring component, worth 165 points, and it will be given if
- a prize for extraordinary achievement has been given to you (such as an Olympic medal, the Nobel Prize, or a national or international honour); or
- You can demonstrate that your work has received praise from others or has substantially advanced your profession (e.g. lifetime achievement award)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Form of Application Completed (English or Chinese)
- A duplicate of your passport’s page with personal information. a copy of the passport page with your most recent entry stamp or extension of stay label in Hong Kong, if you are presently residing there
- A copy of your People’s Republic of China identification card (if any)
- Each accompanying dependent family member’s completed Dependants Visa Application Form and supporting documentation. For further information, visit Hong Kong Dependants Visa Guide
- A copy of documentation that shows your personal net worth, such as bank statements, bank certificates, statements outlining your investments’ current market value, real estate valuation reports that show the property’s current market value, the most recent audited financial statements of a company, your ownership stake in the company, creditor statements outlining your personal debt balance, etc.
- A copy of documentation demonstrating your fluency in Chinese or English, such as the results of a recognised language test (for English, IELTS or TOEFL, whereas PSC or HSK for Chinese)
- A copy of any documents serving as evidence of one’s academic qualifications, such as diplomas or academic records transcripts
- A certified document of one’s membership, training, and professional credentials
- A copy of documentation demonstrating your relevant work history, such as a letter of recommendation from a former employer, your employment contract, etc. (if you are employed by a company); official company registration documents demonstrating your role within the company (if you own a business); a customer reference letter (in case you are self-employed); etc.
- A copy of your Hong Kong resume showing your major professional achievements and long-term goals
NOTE: Every document presented must be written in English or Chinese or have a certified translation from one language to the other. As required, the immigration authorities have the right to request additional documentation.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE OF HONG KONG QUALITY MIGRANT ADMISSION SCHEME
| Timeline | Process |
| One week after the application receipt | Step 1: Application The Hong Kong Immigration Department (HKID), will inform you when they receive your application, and accept applications and related paperwork in person or by mail. |
| Regularly, usually every quarter | Step 2: Selection By the points-based exam, your application would be compared to others. The socioeconomic requirements of Hong Kong, the sectoral mix of applicants, and other considerations would be used by HKID in making its quota distribution decision. You have a lot better prospects if Hong Kong has a serious need for your area of expertise. |
| Within 15 working days of the selection outcome, it is posted on the Immigration Department website | Step 3: Result The results of each selection process, together with the quota distribution, would be made public on the HKID website. |
| Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview in HK within 3 months of the results | Step 4: Approval-in-Principle An Approval-in-Principle Letter authorising you to go to Hong Kong for a face-to-face interview will be given to you after you successfully meet a quota requirement. |
| A week after the original papers have been verified | Step 5: Verification of documentation and issuance of a visa or entry permit The final step once all the procedures are finished is to demonstrate that the papers are valid and validated. Afterward, you would get your QMAS visa. |
- It may take between 8 and 12 months from the time the application is submitted until it is approved in principle.
- There is no price for submitting documents.
- For the issuance of a visa or entrance permit, HK$260 is required.
QMAS VISA RENEWAL
Typically, the QMAS-issued visas are only good for a year. If you want to stay in Hong Kong longer, you must submit your renewal application at least four weeks before your permitted stay expires.
Only if you meet the requirements listed below will your renewal application be taken into consideration:
Under the scheme of the General Points Test
You must be able to show that you’ve made an effort to settle in Hong Kong by finding a job or starting a business within the allotted time. If you are unable to show that you have taken these actions, the immigration authorities may, in their sole discretion, give you a one-year extension, if they judge it necessary.
Under the scheme of the Achievement-Based Points Test
In Hong Kong, you must be able to show that you are capable of providing for and housing your dependents on your own without aid from the government.
FAMILY DEPENDANT VISA
Those who apply for work permits under this programme are allowed to bring their spouses and unmarried, dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong. Each family member is required to submit a dependent visa application for this reason.
Holders of dependent visas are free to work or study in Hong Kong, as appropriate, and their term of stay is dependent upon how long the applicant plans to stay in Hong Kong.
READY TO APPLY FOR HONG KONG QUALITY MIGRANT ADMISSION SCHEME?
You can get assistance from Relin Consultants with the application process for Hong Kong business registration.
Please contact us if you’re considering applying to Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or looking into options for becoming a more permanent resident and starting a business there. We’ll lead you on the appropriate path.
FAQs
How long does it take to have the Hong Kong QMAS Visa processed?
Processing time for a visa might be between six to eight months. The length of time it takes to process your application depends on the kind of visa you are requesting and the specifics of your situation.
How long is the QMAS visa valid?
A year is the duration of the QMAS visa. This visa is renewable up until the one-year mark. Proposals for extensions must be submitted at least 4 weeks before the country’s immigration regulations expire.
Should I take the achievement-based points test to apply for the Hong Kong QMAS? How can I determine if I'm eligible or not?
The Achievement-based Points Exams have some extremely strict criteria. It is appropriate for QMAS applicants with exceptional and widely acclaimed accomplishments, such as Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes, or lifetime achievement honours from the sector. Sending us your CV will allow us to assist you to analyse the options and make recommendations on which exam would be most beneficial for you.
Would having a better score on the QMAS application's general points test make it simpler for me to get approved?
It varies. If you have a score higher than 80, you are eligible to apply for the Hong Kong QMAS. The Immigration Department will carefully evaluate whether the applicant’s credentials meet Hong Kong’s demand for talent. The score is not the only factor considered when choosing skills. Official figures for the most recent years show that about equal numbers of persons scored over 120 and below. In general, the QMAS applicant’s overall skills are more important to the Immigration Department than test scores.
How long does it take to have the Hong Kong QMAS Visa processed?
Processing a visa might take six to eight weeks. The kind of visa you are seeking and the specifics of your case will affect the processing time.
- With each draw, there is a distinct set of cutoff points.
- The Immigration Department conducts a visa interview in Hong Kong as part of the QMAS visa application procedure.
- Each person has a different sort of visa and set of personal information.
How long would I be able to live in Hong Kong if my application for a QMAS visa is approved?
Top-tier entrants under the General Points Test may receive a stay pattern of 2+6 years, while successful applicants through the General Points Test may receive a stay pattern of 2+3+3 years. A stay of 8 years may be given upon admittance to qualified QMAS candidates who passed the achievement-based points test.
