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Hong Kong Skilled Migration / Quality Migrant Talent Scheme

In order to migrate to Hong Kong as skilled migrants, all applicants must apply for the “Hong Kong Quality Migrant Talent Scheme”. As a part of the assessment, all candidates must undergo a Points Based Test. There are two types of this test. These are:

• General Points Test (GPT)
• Achievement Based Points Test

All applicants are free to choose the desired test, provided they clear all the pre – requisites. Under the General Test, all the pre – requisites are awarded certain points based on the level of the eligibility satisfaction.  The applicants must score a minimum of 80 points to qualify for the next level.  
Thus, it is suggested that an applicant should check with the applicable pass-mark before actually applying for the visa under the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Talent Scheme.
On the other hand, the Achievement Based Points Test is meant for those candidates who are highly skilled and qualified in a specific field of work proven with outstanding laurels. The eligibility criteria for this are highly stringent with a lot of scrutiny maintained.
The assessment is completely dependent on the achievements of the applicant. Thus, the candidates would score only under one scoring factor aiming for 165 points directly. Thus, they would either score the maximum points or no points at all. All those applicants who score no points under this test are rejected instantly.
There are only two instances under which a candidate can score points under this test:

• The applicant has been honored with an award for exceptional achievement.
• If the applicant can prove that his work has been acknowledged by his colleagues and had led to the growth and development of his field of work.

General Points Test (GPT)
The Immigration Department of Hong Kong has recently introduced  General Points Test (GPT) for skilled applicants and economic contribution.  The new points based immigration scheme is similar to that offered by the UK and Australia. It makes way for Highly-skilled applicants or Investors  to apply for residency in Hong Kong. Applicant do not require a job offer under this scheme.
Applicants are assessed against a combination of criteria including age, language skills, academic qualifications, and work experience and the points are given on the basis of following factors:

• Age
• Academic/Professional Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Language Proficiency
• Family Background

o At least one immediate family member (married spouse, parents, siblings children) is a Hong Kong permanent resident residing in Hong Kong.
o Accompanying married spouse is educated to the equivalent level of a degree or above.
o 5 points for each accompanying unmarried dependent child under the age of 18, maximum 10 points.
The Hong Kong  Immigration has set minimum pass mark under the General Points Test. The existing minimum pass mark to apply for Hong Kong Immigration is 80 points and the maximum points given is 165 points.  The pass mark keeps changing from time to time.
Achievement Based Points Test
The Skilled Immigration Scheme for Hong Kong also provide entry of individuals with exceptional talent or skill who have exceptional achievements.  The applicants may choose to be assessed under a separate Achievement-based Points Test.  The requirements under this test are set very high. Assessment under this test focuses on achievements attained by applicants and applicants who choose to be assessed under this test are claiming a scoring of 165 points under one scoring factor only.  Those who are considered to have met one of the criteria under this test listed in the following paragraph will be awarded 165 points; otherwise, no point will be awarded.  Applications which fail to score points under this test will be refused immediately.  
Points may be awarded under this test if:
i.the applicant has received an award of exceptional achievement (e.g. Olympic medals, Nobel prize, national/international awards); or
ii.the applicant can show that his/her work has been acknowledged by his/her peers or has contributed significantly to the development of his/her field (e.g. lifetime achievement award from industry).
Dependants - Applicants under this work permit scheme are eligible to bring their family members (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age to Hong Kong) with them to Hong Kong. A dependant visa application must be filed for each family member for this purpose. 
The dependant’s length of stay is connected to the applicant’s length of stay in Hong Kong and dependant visa holders are free to take up employment or study in Hong Kong, as applicable.

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