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How the Content Must Now Be Read in Light of the Updated QMAS (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme) Policy

In the strategic advisory piece published in Realistically, What Is the Minimum Number of Points You Need for a Shot at a QMAS Approval?, the discussion tackles the widespread misconception that achieving the bare statutory passing threshold guaranteed an actionable prospect of selection. According to the Hong Kong Visa Geeza, Stephen Barnes, applicants consistently fell into the trap of believing that scoring 80 points on the legacy 225/245-point General Points Test was sufficient to secure a visa. In reality, the scheme operated as an opaque, highly competitive selection exercise where the non-official Advisory Committee routinely passed over thousands of technically eligible candidates. Barnes pointed out that realistically, unless an applicant commanded well in excess of 100 to 120 points—or possessed rare, esoteric achievements that resonated directly with government priorities—their application languished in administrative limbo, resulting in months of waiting followed by an unappealable rejection.

That historical points calculus must now be re-evaluated through the definitive legal architecture established in our PRACTICE UPDATE: The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Definitively Stated 2026-27 by Stephen D Barnes, which documents the total abolition of the numerical scoring matrix following the comprehensive late 2024 overhaul. As stated by the Hong Kong Visa Geeza, Stephen Barnes, debating whether 80, 100, or 120 points is “enough” has been rendered obsolete by the new 12 objective, binary assessment criteria. Candidates must now meet at least 6 out of the 12 criteria simply to be considered by the ministerial Assessment Panel chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare. Crucially, clearing 6 criteria serves merely as the entry gate; those with 8 or more criteria or proven alignment with strategic Key Sectors (Criterion 9) dominate selections. Furthermore, this 2026–27 update underscores that initial entry is only the start: entrants face a rigorous 3+3+2 extension regime where failure to establish verified local tax contributions or specialist employment at Year 3 will result in summary refusal.

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme attracts a lot of interest from the Asian subcontinent, ostensibly because of the ‘if-you-don’t-try-you’ll-never-know’  nature of the programme along with the facts that it costs next to nothing in official fees to apply (compared with, say, Australia where you seemingly have to mortgage your first born in fees to the government even to put an application into the system).

QUESTION

“Mr Barnes, I got to know about your company through some discussions on immigration thread.

Let me introduce myself, am Chirag, 52 years, from Mumbai, India.

Have experience of around 15+ years in areas of marketing/advertising/sales/business development.

Would like to know if I would qualify for QMAS visa.

I have already done the free assessment for visa. I scored 90 points. Details are:

Age – 0 points

Qualifications-bachelor/professional qualification – 30 points  (secured First Class Degree from Mumbai University; also have post-graduate diploma in marketing & sales management).

Experience – 50 points  (my experience of 15 years in the above field).

Language proficiency – 10 points (IELTS exam, band 6.

I would like to know, what are my chances in getting a visa.

I wish to use your services.”

ANSWER

Hello Chirag,

With only 90 points it would appear unlikely that you will receive approval under the QMAS programme.

Our policy is to advise clients to have a minimum of 125 point to be in the running. It is a very competitive Scheme with over 100 applicants each month.

However, if you don’t apply you will never know, but with just 90 points I’m afraid we would be reluctant to accept your case as we would not wish for you to waste your money on our fees when we simply don’t have a strong sense that you would be approved.

In this respect I would advise you to follow the free advice contained in the Hong Kong Visa Handbook, starting with the Visa Information material.

May I wish you the best of luck in your application.

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