Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

Under this scheme, highly skilled foreign nationals who wish to settle in Hong Kong SAR, and will enhance Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness, may get a temporary visa to reside in Hong Kong, whether they have secured a job offer or not.

This temporary visa allows for a stay of 24 months, renewable, provided you have obtained a job or run a business. After the first renewal, a permit must be renewed every 3 years. After 7 years of continuous residency, you may be eligible for permanent residency, provided that you have paid taxes in each year. Direct dependents may be included.

The Scheme is restricted at a certain yearly quota. You must perform a point based test and be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English, in order to be eligible.

You must score 80 points in the “General Points test” assessed in the following way:
– Age (Maximum 30p)
+ 18-39 (30)
+ 40-44 (20)
+ 45-50 (15)
+ 51 or above (0)
– Academic/Professional Qualifications (Maximum 70p) (Must be in top 100 in certain university rankings)
+ Doctoral degree / Two or more master’s degrees (40)
+ Master’s degree / Two or more bachelor’s degrees (20p)
+ Bachelor’s degree / Professional Qualification awarded by a nationally or internationally recognized or acclaimed professional body which demonstrates that the holder has a very high level of technical expertise or skill (10p).
+ Degree at bachelor level or higher is awarded by a renowned institution recognized internationally (30p).
– Work experience (Max 55p)
+ Not less than 10 years’ graduate or specialist level work experience, including at least 5 years in a senior role (40p)
+ Not less than 5 years’ graduate or specialist level work experience, including at least 2 years in a senior role (30p)
+ Not less than 5 years’ graduate or specialist level work experience (15p)
+ Not less than 2 years’ graduate or specialist level work experience (5p)
+ Additional points for not less than 2 years’ graduate or specialist level work experience with international exposure (15p)
– Language proficiency (Max 20).
+ Being proficient both in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) and English (20p)
+ Being proficient in at least one foreign language (written and spoken) in addition to written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English (15p)
+ Being proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English (10p)
– Family Background (Maximum 20 points)
+ At least one immediate family member (married spouse, parents, siblings, children) is a Hong Kong permanent resident residing in Hong Kong (5p)
+ Accompanying married spouse is educated to the equivalent level of a degree or above (5p)
+ 5 points for each accompanying unmarried dependent child under the age of 18, maximum 10 points

You may choose to be assessed under a separate Achievement-based Points Test, if you have received an award of exceptional achievement (e.g. Olympic medals, Nobel prize, national/international awards); or your work has been acknowledged by your peers or has contributed significantly to the development of your field (e.g. lifetime achievement award from an industry).

After meeting the minimum passing mark, the Immigration Department will proceed to a selection exercise. Successfully passing the tests does not necessarily secure quota allotment.