'Only exceptionally outstanding' accepted under quality scheme

Ayra Wang

Eligibility requirements for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme have been raised to keep it exclusively for "exceptionally outstanding" talent like internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang and actress Tang Wei, Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming said yesterday.

This came as lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan questioned the low approval rate of QMAS, saying that while the program received 83,000 applications in 2023, only 13,000 were approved, with only 9,000 approvals from 49,000 applications last year through February 2025.

"Many applicants barely meet minimum requirements," Ho told the Legislative Council subcommittee on population policy, pointing out the scheme's rigorous evaluation of professional background, education and age differs from the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which has a faster approval process.

Authorities increased thresholds last November after discovering scoring system manipulation on mainland social media Xiaohongshu.

Ho advised marginal applicants to consider the Top Talent Pass Scheme instead, saying that QMAS - under which Lang Lang and Tang have been accepted - offers "no guarantee of quick approvals."

Ho also attributed the drop in Top Talent Pass Scheme applications - from 220,000 in 2023-24 to 180,000 in 2024-25 - to normalized demand rather than systemic issues.

Across all talent programs, Hong Kong has received 450,000 applications with 290,000 approvals and 196,000 arrivals as of February.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com