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Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

AsiaHong Kong SAR, China
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Short answer

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is Hong Kong's points/merit-based talent route for skilled and accomplished professionals who want to settle in Hong Kong without first holding a local job offer. It remains active in 2026. A significant reform took effect in late 2024: the old 80-point system was replaced with two streamlined assessment routes - a General Points Test based on a set of objective criteria (commonly described as needing to meet at least six of twelve, covering factors like age, qualifications, work experience, language and income) and an Achievement-based route for individuals with exceptional, recognised accomplishments. Authorities have also operated the scheme without an annual quota in recent years. As a talent route it needs relatively little capital, lets families relocate together, and over time can lead to permanent residence. This is general orientation only and not legal advice; whether QMAS is a suitable initial route match depends on your full profile, and professional review is recommended.

Best for

  • University-educated professionals with solid work experience who want to relocate to Hong Kong without a pre-arranged local employer
  • Entrepreneurs, executives and high earners who can demonstrate strong income or business ownership
  • Globally recognised talents (awards, peer-acknowledged achievements) who may suit the Achievement-based route
  • Families wanting to move together, with spouse/partner and children under 18 able to join as dependants
  • People seeking a low-tax, business-friendly Asian base with a long-term path to permanent residence

Not ideal for

  • Applicants without a recognised degree or a strong, clearly evidenced professional/achievement profile
  • People who want a fast, guaranteed passport - this is a multi-year settlement route, not a citizenship purchase
  • Those unwilling or unable to genuinely live in and settle in Hong Kong over time
  • Applicants with a criminal record or adverse immigration history, who commonly face difficulty
  • Anyone needing an EU base or Schengen access - this is an Asian route only

Snapshot

Region
Asia
Budget band
Low–Medium
Timeline
Medium
Residence burden
Medium–High
Passport potential
Long-term possible
Family suitability
High
Tax / banking complexity
Low–Medium / Medium
Estimated budget
This is a talent-based route, so it generally needs little upfront capital compared with investor or citizenship-by-investment programs. Typical out-of-pocket costs commonly fall in a modest band covering government application fees, document preparation, certified translations, and (optionally) professional advisory or relocation support. Applicants must also be able to show enough personal financial resources to support themselves and any dependants without public assistance; the bar for that is assessed case by case and varies with family size and current rules.

Commonly requested documents

  • Valid passport / travel document and identity documents for the applicant and any dependants
  • Academic and professional qualification certificates (and certified translations where needed)
  • Employment / business records and CV evidencing work experience
  • Proof of income, assets and financial self-sufficiency (e.g. tax, bank or company records)
  • Marriage / partnership and children's documents for accompanying dependants
  • Police clearance / good-character evidence and a completed application via the scheme's platform
  • For the Achievement-based route: evidence of awards or exceptional, peer-recognised achievements

Main risks

  • Discretionary scoring: under the post-2024 framework, officials assess candidates against internal priorities that are not fully published, so meeting baseline criteria does not assure selection
  • Rules in flux: assessment criteria, quota policy and stay/extension patterns have changed in recent years and may change again
  • Extension and permanent-residence risk: long-term benefits depend on showing genuine settlement and continuous ordinary residence over years, which not everyone sustains
  • Financial self-sufficiency must be demonstrated to support yourself and dependants without public assistance; the bar varies by case
  • Outcomes and timelines are not guaranteed and depend on document quality, profile strength and current demand

Recommended next steps

  • Confirm the current official criteria on the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) website before relying on any figures here
  • Self-check which route fits you better - the General Points Test or the Achievement-based route
  • Gather core documents early: qualifications, work history, income/financial evidence and identity papers for the family
  • Consider a professional review of your profile to assess strengths, gaps and realistic prospects
  • Prepare and submit via the official scheme platform, then plan for genuine settlement to protect extension and long-term residence prospects

See if this route fits your profile

Start the Route MatcherReview HK QMAS

Frequently asked questions

No. A key feature of QMAS is that you do not need a confirmed local job offer before applying, unlike standard employment visas. That said, showing genuine settlement plans - and later employment, business or contribution - typically matters for extensions and long-term residence.

In recent years the authorities have operated QMAS without an annual quota, which they have indicated continues into 2026. Quota policy has changed before, so it is wise to confirm the current position on the official Immigration Department site rather than treat it as permanent.

Yes. The route is family-friendly: a spouse or civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may generally join as dependants, provided you can show enough financial resources to support them without relying on public assistance. Exact eligibility varies by case and current rules.

Not directly or quickly. Over time, continuous ordinary residence (commonly around seven years) plus meeting the criteria can lead to Hong Kong permanent resident status, and in many cases a HKSAR passport, subject to Chinese nationality rules. It is a possible long-term outcome, not an immediate one.

In late 2024 the old 80-point system was replaced by two streamlined routes: a General Points Test using objective criteria (commonly described as meeting at least six of twelve factors) and an Achievement-based route for exceptional, recognised talents, alongside an online application platform. Details can keep evolving, so verify current rules before applying.

Information reviewed: 2026-06 · subject to change — not legal advice · Sources: immd.gov.hk, immd.gov.hk, fragomen.com

Important disclaimer

This tool provides a general route-matching estimate based on the information you entered. It is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. It does not guarantee eligibility, approval, visa issuance, residence approval, citizenship, bank account approval, or any government outcome. A professional assessment is recommended.