What is the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme?

QMAS is a points-based admission route, run by the Hong Kong Immigration Department since 2006, that lets skilled and talented people apply to settle in Hong Kong without a job offer. Applicants are scored under the General Points Test or, in rare cases, the Achievement-based Points Test, and once admitted are free to work in any sector or start a business. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do I need a job offer to apply for QMAS?

No. QMAS does not require a sponsoring employer or a signed job offer before you apply. You are assessed on your own profile, and once admitted you can work for any employer, change jobs freely, or start a business. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How many points do I need under the General Points Test?

A widely reported pass mark is 80 points out of a maximum of 245, scored across factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and family background. Treat this as general guidance rather than a fixed figure, since we could not independently verify the current pass mark against a primary ImmD document for this page, and check the current criteria directly with ImmD before you rely on it.

What is the Hong Kong Talent List and how does it help?

The Talent List names professions the Hong Kong government wants to attract, including several technology roles, and applicants whose occupation appears on it are reported to receive a bonus toward their General Points Test score. The list has been expanded more than once, so check whether your role currently qualifies and what the bonus is worth before including it in your own estimate.

What is the Achievement-based Points Test?

It is a separate, much less commonly used route for applicants with an outstanding personal record, such as a major international or national award in their field. Meeting its criteria is reported to award full marks outright, and successful applicants are typically admitted for a longer initial period than General Points Test entrants, though we recommend confirming the exact current duration with ImmD.

Does clearing the pass mark guarantee a place under QMAS?

No. Clearing the pass mark makes you eligible to be considered, it is not an assurance of a place. Applications are assessed on merit at intervals by an advisory body, so a stronger score and a clearly evidenced profile improve your position without guaranteeing the outcome. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does a QMAS application cost?

The Hong Kong Immigration Department charges an application fee and a further fee once your entry permit is issued, alongside similar fees at each extension. We could not confirm precise current figures for these government fees against a primary source for this page, so check the current fee schedule directly with ImmD before you budget. Beyond government fees, most applicants also spend on document preparation, translations, and relocation.

Can my family come with me to Hong Kong on QMAS?

Yes. Your spouse or civil partner and unmarried dependent children under 18 can normally apply as dependants alongside you or join later, and dependants are generally permitted to work and study in Hong Kong. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does it take to become a permanent resident of Hong Kong on QMAS?

Once you have been ordinarily and continuously resident in Hong Kong for at least 7 years, you can apply for the right of abode, which is Hong Kong's form of permanent residency. This 7-year threshold is a long-standing feature of Hong Kong immigration law generally, not unique to QMAS. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What is the difference between QMAS and the Top Talent Pass Scheme?

Both let you apply without a job offer and lead to the same 7-year path to permanent residency, but they are scored differently. QMAS uses a broader points test across age, education, experience, and other factors. The Top Talent Pass Scheme is instead gated on a high income threshold or a degree from a listed top university, which tends to suit a narrower group of applicants. See the comparison table above, and the Top Talent Pass Scheme guide linked in the points tests section, for the details of that route.

Can I change jobs or start a business once I am admitted under QMAS?

Yes. QMAS does not tie you to a single employer or sector, so changing jobs, working freelance, or founding a business does not put your immigration status at risk in the way it might under a sponsored employment visa. Official source: Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Does eMigr8 give legal or immigration advice on QMAS?

No. We give coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you understand and prepare for the QMAS process. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation, and points, fees, and the Talent List are set by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and can change, so always confirm your specific position with ImmD or a qualified immigration professional.

Hong Kong's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, explained in plain terms

QMAS is a points-based admission route that has run since 2006, aimed at bringing skilled and talented people to Hong Kong to strengthen the local workforce. Unlike a standard employment visa, it does not require a sponsoring employer or a signed job offer before you apply. Instead, applicants are assessed against their own qualifications, experience, and other personal factors, and admitted on the strength of that profile alone.

Who it is for

Software engineers, data specialists, and other technology professionals who do not yet have a Hong Kong employer lined up; Experienced professionals whose occupation appears on the Hong Kong Talent List; People who want the freedom to change employer or start a business without needing a new visa each time; Applicants with an outstanding personal achievement, such as a major award, who may fit the Achievement-based Points Test; People planning a multi-year move who want a credible path to long-term settlement in Hong Kong.

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 provides coaching and guidance to help you understand and prepare for the QMAS process. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. Points, pass marks, fees, and the Talent List are set and updated by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and can change, so always confirm your specific position with ImmD or a qualified immigration professional before you rely on anything here.