Hong Kong
Taiwan
VietnamThe two compared
| TTPS | QMAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Income or an eligible university degree | General or Achievement-based Points Test |
| Processing | Usually about 4 weeks | Usually about 6–9 months |
| First period of stay | Category A 36 months; B and C 24 months | General Points Test 36 months; Achievement-based 8 years |
| Job offer beforehand | Not needed | Not needed |
| Quota | Annual quota for Category C | No annual quota |
TTPS categories
- Category A: annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more in the year before applying
- Category B: a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university, with at least three years’ work experience in the past five years
- Category C: a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university in the past five years, with less than three years’ experience
QMAS routes
- General Points Test: 12 criteria covering age, education, work experience, language and more — meet at least 6
- Achievement-based Points Test: for people with international awards or outstanding achievements
Choosing by profile
| Profile | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more | TTPS Category A |
| Eligible university graduate with 3+ years’ experience | TTPS Category B |
| Recent eligible university graduate | TTPS Category C (watch the quota) |
| Not eligible for TTPS, but a strong overall profile | QMAS General Points Test |
| International awards or outstanding achievements | QMAS Achievement-based Points Test |
Extensions and permanent residence
For both, extensions require showing you are employed or running a business in Hong Kong. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence in a recognised status, making Hong Kong your permanent home, you can apply for permanent residence.
An example
One applicant didn’t meet TTPS Category C’s graduation-year rule, applied under QMAS instead after strengthening their points, and was approved.