How the New 2026 QMAS Assessment Framework Works

The official 2026 rules in one line

Under the Immigration Department's current General Points Test, you are checked against 12 yes/no criteria grouped into six aspects. The prevailing passing threshold is 6 out of 12. There are no age bands, no point totals and no family or talent-list bonuses any more — each criterion is simply met or not met.

Before the points test, every applicant must meet four prerequisites: aged 18 or above; able to support yourself and any dependants without public assistance; good character (no criminal or adverse immigration record); and a good educational background, normally a first degree from a recognised university (good technical qualifications or proven professional ability may be considered in special circumstances).

The 12 criteria

(A) Age

1. Aged 50 or below.

(B) Academic qualifications

2. A master's or doctoral degree from an eligible university (the aggregate list compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau — the Top Talent Pass universities plus top-10 MBA schools in the QS and Financial Times rankings over the past five years).
3. That master's or doctoral degree is in a STEM subject.

Degrees from continuing-education arms, branch or extension schools of eligible universities, and honorary degrees, do not count.

(C) Language proficiency

4. Proficient in two languages, written and spoken.
5. Proficient in written and spoken English.

A bilingual Chinese–English applicant meets both.

(D) Work experience (graduate or specialist level)

6. At least 5 years.
7. At least 3 years at a multinational company or reputable enterprise — for example listed companies, or companies on Forbes Global 2000, Fortune Global 500 or Hurun China 500.
8. At least 3 years in innovation and technology, finance, or international trade (including cross-boundary marine and aviation transport and supply chain management).
9. At least 2 years with international exposure, meaning work outside your home country or territory.

(E) Annual income

10. Annual income of HK$1 million or more (or equivalent) in the year before you apply.

(F) Business ownership

11. You currently own a business with annual profit of HK$5 million or more in the preceding year (normally a 50%+ controlling stake in a non-listed company).
12. You currently own a listed company (normally 10%+ of the shares).

How the result is read

Only applicants who meet the 6/12 threshold can submit through the online system. Meeting it makes you eligible to be considered — it is not an approval. Applications are then assessed in selection exercises, with advice from the Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants and Professionals, and quotas and Hong Kong's needs at the time matter.

Where applicants most often miss criteria

1. International exposure (criterion 9). Postings, cross-border projects and overseas assignments often qualify but go undocumented.
2. Reputable-enterprise experience (criterion 7). Check whether past employers are listed or on the Forbes, Fortune or Hurun lists.
3. Language (criteria 4–5). A recent IELTS or similar certificate turns a claim into evidence.
4. Eligible university (criteria 2–3). Check the official aggregate list — a master's from a non-listed school does not count.

Achievement-based Points Test

A separate route exists for people with an outstanding achievement, such as an Olympic medal or a major international award. It is assessed differently and applies to very few applicants.

Next step

Tick the 12 criteria on our free checklist to see how many you meet, then gather evidence for each one. Rules can change without notice — always confirm on the Immigration Department website before applying.