Hong Kong QMAS for Entrepreneurs (2026)

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is Hong Kong's points-based immigration pathway for skilled professionals who want to settle in the city without a prior job offer. Launched in 2006 and administered by the Immigration Department, QMAS was significantly overhauled in November 2024 with a new enhanced assessment system that explicitly rewards business ownership and income.

QMAS sits alongside three other major visa schemes for professionals and entrepreneurs:

TTPS targets high earners (HK$2.5M+ income) and top-university graduates. Fastest processing (4 weeks), but strict eligibility gates.

The Investment as Entrepreneur visa (under the GEP) is for applicants with a concrete business plan for Hong Kong. No minimum capital, but a business plan is mandatory.

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) requires HK$30M in permissible financial assets. Designed for high-net-worth investors, not entrepreneurs.

QMAS fills the gap for qualified professionals who do not meet TTPS eligibility and do not yet have a business plan ready. Under the enhanced General Points Test, applicants who meet at least 6 of 12 assessment criteria can apply. As of 31 December 2024, over 36,700 applicants had been successfully selected under the scheme.

QMAS holders can:

• Work for any employer in Hong Kong without restriction
• Start and operate a business as director, shareholder, or both
• Switch between employment and self-employment freely
• Bring a spouse and children under 18 on dependent visas with unrestricted work rights

Since 1 November 2024, the Immigration Department has completely overhauled the QMAS assessment process. The old item-by-item scoring system (max 225 points, pass mark 80) has been replaced by an enhanced General Points Test (GPT) using a structured assessment questionnaire. There is no longer a numeric pass mark. Instead, applicants must meet a minimum number of criteria.

Enhanced General Points Test (GPT)

The enhanced GPT assesses applicants across 12 criteria grouped under 6 major aspects:

• Age
• Academic qualifications
• Language proficiency
• Work experience
• Annual income
• Business ownership

Applicants must meet at least 6 of the 12 assessment criteria to submit an application. Those who meet more criteria are considered more favourably during the quarterly selection exercise.

The addition of annual income and business ownership as formal assessment aspects (replacing the old "family background" category) is directly relevant for entrepreneurs: if you run a successful business and generate substantial income, you now score highly on the criteria that matter most under the new system.

Degrees from eligible universities (the TTPS aggregate list of 200 universities, plus the top 10 programmes from the QS Global MBA Rankings and Financial Times Business School Rankings in MBA over the past five years) receive favourable consideration under the academic qualifications aspect.

Talent List: favourable consideration

Applicants whose profession matches the current Talent List (60 professions across 9 industry segments as of March 2025) receive favourable consideration under the enhanced GPT. The nine segments are:

• Business support
• Creative industries, arts and culture, performing arts
• Development and construction
• Environmental technology services
• Financial services (fintech, asset management, ESG, compliance)
• Healthcare services
• Innovation and technology (data science, AI, cybersecurity)
• Legal and dispute resolution services
• Maritime services

The list is reviewed and updated periodically. Check the current list at talentlist.gov.hk before applying.

Achievement-Based Points Test

The Achievement-Based Points Test (APT) remains an alternative route for applicants with exceptional credentials: recipients of international awards (Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes, national or international recognition), or those who can demonstrate outstanding contributions to their field recognised by peers. Applicants meeting this threshold qualify automatically. Most entrepreneurs will apply under the enhanced GPT.

No annual quota

Since October 2022, the previous annual quota of 4,000 applications has been removed. This was confirmed permanently under the enhanced GPT. QMAS is now genuinely merit-based and open to all eligible applicants without quota restrictions.

QMAS is not marketed as an entrepreneur visa, but it is one of the most practical pathways for skilled professionals who plan to start a business in Hong Kong. The November 2024 reform made this even clearer by adding business ownership as a formal assessment criterion.

Unlike the Investment as Entrepreneur visa, QMAS does not require a business plan, a registered company, or any evidence of business activity at the application stage. Unlike TTPS, it does not require HK$2.5M+ income or a degree from one of the 200 eligible universities. You qualify on merit across the 12 assessment criteria.

Once in Hong Kong on a QMAS visa, you have the same employment and business rights as TTPS holders:

• Register a Hong Kong company as director, shareholder, or both
• Open business bank accounts at major Hong Kong banks
• Hire employees through your company
• Invoice clients and receive payments without restriction
• Freelance or consult while building your business on the side

Who benefits most from the QMAS entrepreneur path:

• Senior professionals (10+ years experience) who want to relocate to Hong Kong before committing to a specific business
• Freelancers and consultants who plan to build a client base in Hong Kong and the region
• Technical founders (developers, engineers, data scientists) who meet multiple GPT criteria but lack the HK$2.5M income threshold for TTPS
• Professionals on the Talent List (60 professions) who receive favourable consideration, making selection more likely
• Entrepreneurs with existing businesses abroad who score well on the new "business ownership" and "annual income" criteria

The key strategic advantage of QMAS for entrepreneurs: you enter Hong Kong with no business obligations, establish yourself, build your network, and launch your business when ready. Your visa is not tied to the success of a business plan (unlike the GEP entrepreneur visa) or to maintaining HK$2.5M income (unlike TTPS Category A at renewal).

Extension pattern: 3+3+2 years

QMAS holders follow this renewal pattern (as published by the Immigration Department):

• Initial stay: 3 years
• First extension: up to 3 years
• Second extension: up to 2 years
• After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence: eligible for permanent residency

Extensions require proof that you are employed, running a business, or otherwise contributing to Hong Kong's economy.

Top-Tier Employment Stream (3+5 pattern)

If you have completed at least 2 years in Hong Kong on QMAS and your assessable income for salaries tax reaches HK$2 million or more in the previous year of assessment, you may qualify for the Top-Tier Employment Stream. This grants a single extension of 5 years on time limitation only without other conditions of stay, replacing the regular 3+3+2 renewals with a 3+5 pattern.

This stream is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs whose Hong Kong business has become profitable.

What you need at renewal

• Valid employment contract, or Business Registration Certificate and evidence of business activity
• Profits Tax returns filed with the Inland Revenue Department (if self-employed or running a company)
• MPF contributions (mandatory for employees and self-employed persons)
• Evidence of residence in Hong Kong (tenancy agreement, utility bills)