Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

Chinese
t=優秀人才入境計劃
s=优秀人才入境计划
p=Yōuxiù Réncái Rùjìng Jìhuà
j=Jausu|p=1-sausu|p=3 Jansu|p=4-coisu|p=4 Japsu|p=6-gingsu|p=2 Gaisu|p=3-waaksu|p=6The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme ("QMAS") is a points-based immigration system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.cite news|url=http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/nation/userobject1ai3156405.html|work=Eastday|date=2007-11-10|accessdate=2008-01-16|title=HK to relax restrictions on immigration scheme] cite web|url=http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/QMAS_8A.htm|publisher=Immigration Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region|url=http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/QMAS_8.htm|date=2007-02-14|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Achievement-based Points Test] It was first announced in February 2006, and began accepting applications in June of the same year; by the end of 2007, 322 people had been admitted to residence in Hong Kong under the scheme.cite news|url=http://news.gov.hk/en/category/lawandorder/060223/html/060223en08002.htm|work=News.gov.hk|date=2006-02-23|accessdate=2008-01-16|title=Quality migrant scheme ready by June] cite news|url=http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/lawandorder/060628/html/060628en08008.htm|work=News.gov.hk|date=2006-06-28|accessdate=2008-01-16|title=Quality migrant scheme applications open] cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/gangao/2008-01/16/content_7431425.htm|date=2008-01-16|accessdate=2008-01-16|title=“优才计划”：找到最适合香港的人才 (The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: Finding talented individuals who best suit Hong Kong)|work=Xinhua News|language=Chinese]

History

With the aim of attracting talented people from mainland China and the rest of the world to settle and work in Hong Kong, the QMAS set up admissions criteria under which applicants could be admitted to residence in Hong Kong without the prior offer of local employment required for a normal working visa. The scheme was first announced in February 2006. It began accepting applications on 28 June of that year, with a quota of 1,000 applicants. The scheme included two methods of assessment: a general points test, under which applicants would be awarded points based on their education, age, working experience, language abilities, and family background, and an achievement-based test for people such as Olympic medalists, Nobel laureates, or scientists and professionals with significant recognition in their field. Six people applied in the first week; however, the government waited until November 2006 to issue the first visa under the scheme, to pianist Lang Lang.cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/employment/2006-11/28/content_5400656.htm|work=Xinhua News|date=2006-11-28|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=鋼琴家郎朗成為香港優秀人才入境計劃第一人 (Pianist Lang Lang becomes first person in Quality Migrant Admission Scheme)|language=Chinese] [cite news|work=Taipei Times|title=Hong Kong: City losing expat appeal|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/07/07/2003317696|date=2006-07-07|accessdate=2008-01-17]

As early as November 2007, the government floated the idea of loosening the criteria for admission under the QMAS, due to the underwhelming response; by the end of 2007, only 322 people had qualified for the scheme, 42 under the achievement-based points test and 280 under the general points test. 188 came from mainland China. [cite news|url=http://www5.chinesenewsnet.com/MainNews/SinoNews/Hongkong/2007_12_19_14_20_3_679.html|date=2007-12-19|accessdate=2008-01-17|work=Hong Kong Economic Weekly|title=香港財經界成了海歸精英大舞臺 (Hong Kong finance industry becomes a big stage for elite returnees)|language=Chinese] Details of the amendments to the scheme were announced in January 2008; the age limit for applicants was raised from 50 to 55, points would be awarded for as little as two years of working experience as opposed to five before the amendment, and applicants could receive points for abilities in languages other than Chinese or English.

Details

#Age: Applicants must be aged between 18 and 50
#Financial Requirement: Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are capable of supporting and accommodating themselves and their dependants, if any, on their own without relying on public assistance during their stay in Hong Kong;
#Good Character: Applicants must meet normal immigration and security requirements. They should not have any criminal or adverse immigration record in Hong Kong or elsewhere;
#Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) or English;
#Basic Educational Qualification: Applicants must have a good education background, normally a first degree supported by documentary evidence. In special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered.

Notable examples

*Barry Beck, Canadian National Hockey League player
*Hu Jun, Chinese actor [cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=62923&sid=18019325&con_type=1&d_str=20080312&fc=7|title=Hu wants to become a Hong Konger|date=2008-03-12|accessdate=2008-03-21|publisher=The Standard]
*Lan Rao, Chinese soprano [cite news|work=Shenzhen News|url=http://www.sznews.com/news/content/2007-12/03/content_1692573.htm|date=2007-12-03|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=深港音乐界携手 圣诞音乐会情定门德尔松 (Shenzhen, Hong Kong musicians join hands to sing Mendelssohn)|language=Chinese]
*Lang Lang, Chinese pianist
*Li Yundi, Chinese pianist [cite news|url=http://news.wenweipo.com/2007/01/15/IN0701150108.htm|work=Wen Wei Po|date=2007-01-15|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=李雲迪:成為香港居民感到榮幸 (Li Yundi: I feel honoured to become a Hong Kong resident)|language=Chinese]
*Zhang Ziyi, Chinese actress [cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/overseas/2007-09/17/content_6740695.htm|date=2007-09-17|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=傳內地女星章子怡憑優秀人才成為香港居民 (Mainland star Zhang Ziyi becomes Hong Kong resident under QMAS)|work=Xinhua News|language=Chinese]
*Zhou Mi, Chinese badminton player
*Li Ning, Chinese gold medalist [HKStandard. " [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=21&art_id=70223&con_type=1&d_str=20080815 The Standard.com] ." "Li Ning tops up tally for SAR." Retrieved on 2008-08-01.]

References