Overview: Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a points-based immigration route designed to attract highly skilled or talented individuals to live and work in Hong Kong without needing a job offer in advance. Instead of securing employment first, you apply under QMAS, demonstrate that you meet minimum eligibility criteria, and then compete with other applicants based on your points score and overall profile.
This calculator models the General Points Test under QMAS. It helps you quickly estimate how many points you might claim for key factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and close family ties in Hong Kong. Your score can give you a rough idea of whether you are potentially competitive, but it is not an official assessment.
How the Hong Kong QMAS Points System Works
Under the General Points Test, applicants are awarded points for specific characteristics. The exact official bands and passing marks can change over time, but the main idea remains consistent:
- You must satisfy basic eligibility (age 18+, good character, financial means, etc.).
- You claim points for objective factors such as age, qualifications, experience, and language.
- You must reach at least a minimum passing score set by the Hong Kong authorities (this threshold is periodically reviewed).
- Even if you meet the passing score, approval is not guaranteed; the government compares all applicants and issues invitations based on quotas and overall merit.
The calculator on this page uses a simplified scoring model that mirrors common point bands. It is designed for clarity and quick estimation rather than reproducing every nuance of the official rules.
Points Categories Covered by This Calculator
The form above asks you to choose one option in each category. The options are aligned with the following points structure:
| Category |
Option |
Points in this calculator |
| Age |
18–39 years |
30 |
| 40–44 years |
20 |
| 45–50 years |
15 |
| 51+ years |
0 |
| Education level |
Doctorate (PhD or equivalent) |
40 |
| Master’s degree |
20 |
| Bachelor’s degree |
10 |
| Other post-secondary / professional qualifications |
5 |
| Years of work experience (relevant) |
10+ years |
50 |
| 5–10 years |
30 |
| 2–5 years |
15 |
| Less than 2 years |
0 |
| Language proficiency |
Fluent Chinese and English |
20 |
| Fluent in either Chinese or English |
10 |
| Basic proficiency or none |
0 |
| Close family in Hong Kong |
Yes – close family member who is a permanent resident |
5 |
| No close family in Hong Kong |
0 |
Your total score in this calculator is simply the sum of the points assigned to the options you select.
Mathematical View of Your QMAS Points
Although the calculator does the arithmetic for you, it can be useful to see how the scoring works as a simple formula. In abstract form, the model can be written as:
Where:
- P = your total estimated points under this simplified General Points Test model.
- Page = points for your age band.
- Pedu = points for your highest education level.
- Pexp = points for your years of relevant work experience.
- Plang = points for language skills in Chinese and English.
- Pfam = points for having close family in Hong Kong who are permanent residents.
Each component can only take one value at a time, based on the option you select in the form. The total is simply the sum of those five components.
Interpreting Your Estimated QMAS Points
Your raw score by itself does not guarantee any specific outcome, but it can be interpreted in broad ranges. For the General Points Test, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department usually sets a minimum passing score. Applicants at or above that score can be considered for selection, subject to quotas and a detailed review of their background.
Because the official pass mark and detailed criteria can change, this calculator does not display a fixed “pass/fail” judgment. Instead, you can think about ranges in a general sense:
- Relatively low score: You may find it difficult to be competitive, unless other aspects of your profile (such as exceptional achievements) are very strong.
- Moderate score: You might meet or approach typical passing scores, but you will still compete against many candidates with similar or higher points.
- High score: You are more likely to exceed common thresholds and to look strong on paper, although final selection is still discretionary.
Always cross-check your estimated score with the latest official QMAS documentation, and consider speaking with a qualified immigration advisor if you are thinking of applying.
Worked Example: Estimating a Sample Applicant’s Score
To make the scoring logic more concrete, consider the following sample profile and see how the calculator would treat it.
Example profile
- Age: 32 years old
- Education: Master’s degree in Finance
- Work experience: 7 years of full-time, relevant professional experience
- Language: Fluent English; conversational but not fluent Chinese
- Family: No close family members who are Hong Kong permanent residents
Using the points table above, we can assign points step by step:
- Age (32 years)
Falls into the 18–39 band. The calculator assigns 30 points.
- Education (Master’s degree)
Under the education category, a Master’s degree earns 20 points.
- Work experience (7 years)
Seven years falls into the 5–10 years band, which yields 30 points.
- Language proficiency (fluent English only)
The example candidate is fluent in one of the two key languages, so they receive 10 points.
- Close family in Hong Kong
No qualifying family members in Hong Kong, so this category contributes 0 points.
Summing up the points:
- Age: 30
- Education: 20
- Experience: 30
- Language: 10
- Family: 0
Total estimated points:
30 + 20 + 30 + 10 + 0 = 90 points
In this simplified model, the example candidate would be considered relatively competitive. However, the actual outcome would still depend on the official pass mark, the strength of other candidates, and a detailed review by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Comparison: Strong vs Weaker Profiles in This Model
The table below compares how different profiles might score using the same calculator assumptions. These examples are illustrative only and are not official guidance.
| Profile |
Key characteristics |
Approx. total points |
General interpretation (non-official) |
| Profile A – Strong |
Age 30; PhD; 10+ years’ relevant experience; fluent Chinese & English; close family in Hong Kong |
30 (age) + 40 (education) + 50 (experience) + 20 (language) + 5 (family) = 145 |
Very strong on paper in this simplified model; likely above many common passing thresholds, subject to official criteria. |
| Profile B – Moderate |
Age 38; Master’s; 5–10 years’ experience; fluent English only; no family in Hong Kong |
30 + 20 + 30 + 10 + 0 = 90 |
Competitive score but without the very highest bands; real-world outcome would depend on current pass mark and competition. |
| Profile C – Weaker |
Age 47; Bachelor’s; 2–5 years’ experience; basic language skills; no family in Hong Kong |
15 + 10 + 15 + 0 + 0 = 40 |
Relatively low score in this model; applicant may need to build stronger experience, qualifications, or language ability. |
What This Calculator Does (and Does Not) Cover
This tool focuses on clarity and simplicity, so it makes several deliberate assumptions. Understanding these limitations is essential before you rely on the result for any serious decisions.
Scope and assumptions
- General Points Test only: The calculator covers a simplified version of the QMAS General Points Test. It does not model the Achievement-based Points Test, which targets applicants with exceptional recognitions (e.g., international awards).
- Simplified scoring bands: The age, education, experience, language, and family bands mirror common structures but may not match every detail in the latest official rules (for example, bonus points for work in priority industries or for certain professional qualifications are not included).
- No automatic pass/fail decision: Because the official minimum passing score and assessment guidelines change from time to time, this calculator avoids stating a pass or fail outcome.
- Self-declared inputs: The score is based entirely on what you select in the form. In a real application, the Immigration Department will require evidence such as diplomas, employment references, and language test results.
Limitations and disclaimers
- Not legal or immigration advice: The content and calculator are for general information and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice, immigration advice, or a professional opinion on your eligibility.
- No guarantee of approval: A high score in this model does not ensure that the Hong Kong Immigration Department will approve your application or invite you to apply. Decisions remain at the sole discretion of the authorities.
- Possible policy changes: Hong Kong may change QMAS criteria, point values, quotas, or minimum passing scores. Always check the latest official guidelines before making plans.
- Data accuracy: While this calculator attempts to reflect typical General Points Test logic, it may not capture every nuance, exception, or transitional policy.
Practical Next Steps After Calculating Your Points
Once you have calculated your approximate score, consider the following actions:
- Compare with official requirements: Visit the official Hong Kong Immigration Department website and review the latest QMAS General Points Test details and any announced pass marks.
- Identify areas to strengthen: If your score is lower than you would like, think about medium-term steps such as improving your language proficiency, gaining more relevant work experience, or pursuing further qualifications.
- Document your claims: Start gathering evidence that could support a future application – degree certificates, transcripts, employment reference letters, language test scores, and proof of family ties if applicable.
- Seek professional guidance: For complex profiles or borderline scores, consider consulting a qualified immigration professional who is experienced with QMAS applications.
- Explore related pathways: If QMAS does not seem suitable, you may want to research other Hong Kong immigration options such as employment visas, entrepreneur visas, or specialized talent schemes. The call-out link on this page is a useful starting point to learn about alternatives.
Keeping Your Information Up to Date
Your QMAS points can change over time as you advance in your career or education. Revisit this calculator periodically to see how your profile evolves. For example, additional years of experience, achieving a higher degree, or improving your language skills can all increase your estimated score.
Before making any application decisions, always confirm your situation against official, up-to-date Hong Kong immigration resources. Treat the score from this calculator as an informative guide rather than a final verdict on your eligibility.