01

The Biggest Changes in the New 2026 Rating System

On January 1, 2026, the Immigration Department refined the Comprehensive Points System for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme from the original six major categories to 12 scoring criteria.

The maximum total score remains at 245 points,The passing score has been lowered from 80 to 70., but the scoring for individual items is stricter.

Q1 Data: 12,840 applicants, 1,985 accepted,Pass Rate: 15.41 TP3T...which is significantly tighter than the 21% in 2024.

02

High-Scoring Items (Each item is worth 30–50 points)

1. Bonus points for educational background (up to 70 points). Top 100 universities worldwide: +50 points; master’s or doctoral programs at universities not ranked in the top 100: +30 points; bachelor’s degree: +10 points.

2. Bonus points for years of work experience (up to 55 points). 10+ years of experience in a senior position: 55 points; 5–10+ years of experience in a managerial position: 40 points.

3. Bonus points for industries with labor shortages (up to 50 points). Finance, IT, AI, green technology, cross-border trade, maritime arbitration, and healthcare: +50 points.

03

The 6 Factors That Determine Whether You Pass

Language proficiency (maximum 30 points). Native Chinese speaker: +10 points by default; fluent in English: +20 points (IELTS 7+ or TOEFL 100+); fluent in other languages: +15 points.

Family Background (Maximum 30 points). Spouse with a bachelor’s degree: +5 points; each minor child: +5 points (maximum 10); immediate family members residing in Hong Kong: +5 points.

Income Level (Maximum 40 points). Average annual income over the past 3 years: 2 million + 40 cents HKD; 1 million–2 million + 25 cents; 500,000–1 million + 15 cents.

04

Four Categories of ”Express Entry” Applicants

Path 1: Top Companies + Top Universities + High-Demand Industries. For example, Fortune 500 companies + overseas universities ranked in the top 100 by QS for master’s and doctoral programs + AI algorithm positions,3 items, 80 points—you're pretty much guaranteed to pass.The

Path 2: Entrepreneurs. Company valuation ≥ 50 million HKD + has actual business operations in Hong Kong + employs ≥ 5 people,”Go straight to the ”Commercial Achievement Scoring System'"(There is no passing score.)

Channel 3: Talent in Specific Industries. Those with ”outstanding achievements” in the fields of performing arts, sports, and culture and the arts may apply through the ”Outstanding Achievement Points System.”

Channel 4: Holders of the High-Talent Pass (Category A). Those whose annual salary over the past year was ≥2.5 million HKD,Equivalent to the "Talent" Fast-Track Assessment, with a 30-day reduction in review time.

05

What should I do if my score is stuck between 60 and 70?

Additional language: Crash-course study for 3–6 months to score a 7 on the IELTS; with an additional 20 points, you can make the cut.

Addressing Labor Shortages in Key Industries: Switch to ”high-potential industries” such as fintech, AI, and biopharmaceuticals, and then apply again in 1–2 years.

Additional information on family background: If you send your child to study in Hong Kong first, the +10 points for children take effect immediately.

Submit proof of income: Consolidate three years' worth of salary, bonuses, and stock incentives into a single bank card so that the transaction history is clear and easy to track.

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