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- Basis for applying
- General Points Test: at least 6 of 12 criteria, plus the prerequisites.
- Job offer
- No offer required initially
- Initial stay
- Depends on the assessment route and approval
General Points Test: check all 12 criteria
All prerequisites apply: age 18 or above, resources to support and accommodate yourself and your dependants, no criminal or adverse immigration record, and normally a recognised degree. Exceptional technical/professional ability or achievements need evidence. No Hong Kong job offer is required. Afghan, Cuban and North Korean nationals are excluded.
“50 or below” is one General Points Test criterion, not a scheme-wide upper age limit. The separate Achievement-based route concerns exceptional awards or recognised significant contributions; its criteria cannot be combined with the General Points Test.
First meet the prerequisites. The current General Points Test requires at least six of these 12 criteria to submit; the old “80-point” approach does not apply. Meeting the threshold does not guarantee selection.
| Criterion | Requirement in brief | Evidence to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 50 or under. | Date of birth. |
| Degree | An eligible-university master’s or doctorate. | Degree, transcript and awarding body. |
| STEM degree | That eligible master’s or doctorate is in STEM. | Subject and course evidence. |
| Two languages | Written and spoken proficiency in two languages. | Evidence of actual proficiency. |
| English | Written and spoken English proficiency. | Applicable education, tests or other evidence. |
| Experience | At least five years at graduate or specialist level. | Dated records describing duties. |
| Enterprise experience | At least three such years in MNCs or reputable enterprises. | Employment and enterprise background. |
| Specified industry | At least three such years in innovation/technology, finance or international trade and specified related fields. | Actual duties, not just an employer name. |
| International exposure | At least two such years outside the home country/territory. | Location, dates and employment records. |
| Income | At least HK$1m in the immediately preceding year. | Income and tax evidence for that period. |
| Business | Current ownership of an entity with preceding-year profit ≥ HK$5m. | Ownership, control and profit evidence. |
| Listed company | Current ownership of a listed company. | Beneficial holding, control and influence. |
Three definitions that change the assessment
The awarding university, recognised degree level and applicable list matter. Continuing-education arms, branch or subsidiary schools do not automatically qualify. A STEM subject outside the reference list may be considered with evidence; its Chinese name alone does not establish eligibility.
International exposure means relevant work outside the home country or territory, not simply serving foreign clients domestically.
Ownership involves legal and financial control: normally at least 50% beneficial ownership of an unlisted entity, or a significant listed-company holding, normally at least 10%, with control and influence. Buying a small stock position is not enough.
Application documents: prerequisites and claimed criteria
| Group | Evidence and when it applies |
|---|---|
| Identity and finances | Photo, travel and residence records; PRC ID where applicable; net-worth evidence covering assets, liabilities and support for the family. |
| Education and languages | Graduation/degree certificates, transcripts and institution/accepted verification; evidence of written and spoken ability for language criteria claimed. |
| Work and qualifications | Employer references with dates, duties and level; professional credentials; location, company and industry evidence for the relevant criteria. |
| Income or business ownership | Where claimed: tax/income or business financial records; ownership, control, audited accounts and profits evidence. |
| Achievements and Hong Kong plans | Career achievements and development plans; substantive awards/recognition evidence for the Achievement-based route. |
| Family and conditional items | Identity, photos and relationship records for a spouse/recognised partner and unmarried dependent children under 18; Mainland settlement consent when required at the relevant stage. |
Support each claimed criterion with evidence. Part III of the official guidance lists the full checklist, certification and original-document requirements.
Submit conditional documents where applicable; Immigration may request more. Documents not in Chinese or English need an accepted certified translation. Start with a background summary; send identity and financial records through the controlled project channel.
Before submission: evidence and missing items
Check each assessment criterion against its evidence, include family records and flag missing documents.