---
title: "Hong Kong QMAS requirements 2026: income from HKD 1M/yr needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/qmas/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Hong Kong · Talent schemes

# Hong Kong QMAS

**Income needed:** from HKD 1M a year ≈ $127k

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** from HKD 1M a year ≈ $127k (Income of at least HKD 1,000,000 a year (≈ $127,000) · Scoring criterion (10) in the General Points Test: annual income in the year before application. One of 12 criteria, passing threshold 6 of 12. Income of at least HKD 5,000,000 a year (≈ $637,000) · Scoring criterion (11): applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least this amount in the preceding year. A fee of HKD 600 (≈ $76) · Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. A fee of HKD 1,300 (≈ $170) · Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less).)
- **First stay:** 3 yrs (General Points Test: initial stay 36 months on time limitation only, then extensions normally 3+2 years. Achievement-based Points Test: 8 years.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried children under 18; the applicant must show net worth to support them through the initial 12 months. Your spouse or partner may work in Hong Kong without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

QMAS is a talent schemes route for Hong Kong. Applicants need income from HKD 1M a year ≈ $127k. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** from HKD 1M a year ≈ $127k
- **Government fees:** HKD 600 ≈ $76 · HKD 1,300 ≈ $170
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; income to show from HKD 1M/yr ≈ $127k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: HKD 600 ≈ $76 · HKD 1,300 ≈ $170**

- HKD 600 (≈ $76) Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant.
- HKD 1,300 (≈ $170) Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less).

**Shown, not spent: HKD 1M+/yr ≈ $127k · HKD 5M+/yr ≈ $637k**

- HKD 1,000,000 a year (≈ $127,000) Scoring criterion (10) in the General Points Test: annual income in the year before application. One of 12 criteria, passing threshold 6 of 12.
- HKD 5,000,000 a year (≈ $637,000) Scoring criterion (11): applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least this amount in the preceding year.

**Renewal: Renewable**

General Points Test entrants get 36 months, then extensions normally follow a 3+2 year pattern once you have work or a business in Hong Kong. Achievement-based entrants get an 8-year stay.

[Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/QMAS.html)

**Permanent residence: After 7 years of residence**

After a continuous period of not less than 7 years of ordinary residence you may apply for the right of abode (permanent resident status), and you must take Hong Kong as your place of permanent residence. Time as a foreign domestic helper, an imported-labour contract worker or a refugee, or spent unlawfully or in breach of a condition of stay, does not count.

[Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/QMAS.html) [Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html)

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is aged 18 or over.
- The applicant has no criminal or adverse immigration record.
- The applicant normally holds a first degree.
- The applicant can support self and dependants without public assistance.
- General Points Test: 12 criteria, with a passing threshold of 6 of 12.
- The criteria cover age 50 or below, degree from an eligible university, STEM degree, two languages, English, work experience, income and business ownership.
- Achievement-based Points Test: an award of exceptional achievement or recognised contribution to a field; requirements are very high.

#### What you must show

- General Points Test criterion 10: annual income of at least HKD 1,000,000 (≈ $127,000) in the year before application.
- General Points Test criterion 11: the applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least HKD 5,000,000 (≈ $637,000) in the preceding year.

#### After you arrive

- After 2 years in Hong Kong and assessable salaries-tax income of HK$2 million or more, the top-tier employment stream gives a 5-year extension.

## When you become tax resident

How Hong Kong decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **3 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 60 days in a year of assessment (aggregated visits to Hong Kong)** Non-Hong Kong employment: visits to Hong Kong totalling more than 60 days in the year of assessment make the pay for those services assessable on a days-in-days-out basis; any part of a day counts.
- **Foreign-source income:** **Territorial** Hong Kong taxes under the territorial concept: salaries tax, property tax and profits tax apply to income arising in or derived from Hong Kong, whether the person is resident or not.

[All tax rules for Hong Kong](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Points-based settlement scheme for highly skilled people, with a General Points Test and an Achievement-based Points Test; no annual quota since the November 2024 enhancement. (sources 1, 2, 3)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least HKD 1,000,000 a year (≈ $127,000) · Scoring criterion (10) in the General Points Test: annual income in the year before application. One of 12 criteria, passing threshold 6 of 12. (source 1)
- Income of at least HKD 5,000,000 a year (≈ $637,000) · Scoring criterion (11): applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least this amount in the preceding year. (source 1)
- A fee of HKD 600 (≈ $76) · Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. (source 2)
- A fee of HKD 1,300 (≈ $170) · Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less). (source 2)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is aged 18 or over. (source 1)
- The applicant has no criminal or adverse immigration record. (source 1)
- The applicant normally holds a first degree. (source 1)
- The applicant can support self and dependants without public assistance. (source 1)
- General Points Test: 12 criteria, with a passing threshold of 6 of 12. (source 1)
- The criteria cover age 50 or below, degree from an eligible university, STEM degree, two languages, English, work experience, income and business ownership. (source 1)
- Achievement-based Points Test: an award of exceptional achievement or recognised contribution to a field; requirements are very high. (source 1)
- General Points Test criterion 10: annual income of at least HKD 1,000,000 (≈ $127,000) in the year before application. (source 1)
- General Points Test criterion 11: the applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least HKD 5,000,000 (≈ $637,000) in the preceding year. (source 1)
- After 2 years in Hong Kong and assessable salaries-tax income of HK$2 million or more, the top-tier employment stream gives a 5-year extension. (source 1)

#### Stay

- General Points Test: initial stay 36 months on time limitation only, then extensions normally 3+2 years. Achievement-based Points Test: 8 years.
- Initial permitted stay: 36 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Work

Free to take up and change employment without prior approval.

#### Family

Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried children under 18; the applicant must show net worth to support them through the initial 12 months. Your spouse or partner may work in Hong Kong without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (General Points Test criteria, passing threshold)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/QMAS.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-10
2. [New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong, ID(E) 998 (04/2026)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID(E)998.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-04-01
4. [The Position of Non-Chinese Citizens (right of abode)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Notes for Guidance: Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ROP(E)149_o.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11

## QMAS and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| QMAS | Needs income from HKD 1M a year ≈ $127k | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Top Talent Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/ttps/) | Needs income of HKD 2.5M+ a year ≈ $319k | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) Japan | – | 2 yr | – |
| [Golden Visa · Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33b-special-talent/) Indonesia | – | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| [Blue Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/blue-residency/) United Arab Emirates | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the QMAS?

Income of at least HKD 1,000,000 a year (≈ $127,000). Scoring criterion (10) in the General Points Test: annual income in the year before application. Income of at least HKD 5,000,000 a year (≈ $637,000). Scoring criterion (11): applicant currently owns a business entity with annual profit of at least this amount in the preceding year. A fee of HKD 600 (≈ $76). Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. A fee of HKD 1,300 (≈ $170). Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less).

### How long can I stay on the QMAS?

General Points Test: initial stay 36 months on time limitation only, then extensions normally 3+2 years.

### Can I work on the QMAS?

Free to take up and change employment without prior approval.

### Can I bring my family on the QMAS?

Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried children under 18; the applicant must show net worth to support them through the initial 12 months.

### Does the QMAS lead to permanent residence in Hong Kong?

Time on the QMAS counts toward permanent residence in Hong Kong, which the rules allow after 7 years of residence.

### How are QMAS holders taxed in Hong Kong?

No special regime in our records is tied to the QMAS. The standard rules apply: Hong Kong taxes under the territorial concept: salaries tax, property tax and profits tax apply to income arising in or derived from Hong Kong, whether the person is resident or not. Income arising outside Hong Kong is not charged under those taxes; salaries tax follows where the employment services are rendered.

## More in Hong Kong

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/working-holiday/) [New CIES · HK$30M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/new-cies/) [Entrepreneur visa (GEP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/investment-entrepreneur/) [Mainland talent (ASMTP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/asmtp-mainland-professional/) [Work visa (GEP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/gep-professional/) [Tech professionals (GEP-TP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/gep-technical-professionals/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/student-visa/) [IANG graduate visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/iang/)

## Special talent visas elsewhere

[🇸🇬 ONE Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/one-pass/) [🇰🇷 Top-Tier · science](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/f2t-top-tier-science/) [🇹🇼 Employment Gold Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/employment-gold-card/) [🇦🇺 Skilled Regional 491](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/australia/skilled-work-regional-491/) [🇲🇳 Outstanding talent H1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mongolia/h1-outstanding-contribution/) [🇰🇿 In-demand professions B9-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/b9-1-digital-nomad-visa/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (General Points Test criteria, passing threshold)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/QMAS.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-10
2. [New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong, ID(E) 998 (04/2026)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID(E)998.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-12
4. [The Position of Non-Chinese Citizens (right of abode)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Notes for Guidance: Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ROP(E)149_o.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.