The 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 |
How to choose
- Annual income of HKD 2.5 million or more, or an eligible university degree: consider TTPS first — it is faster.
- Not eligible for TTPS, but a strong mix of education, experience, language and family background: QMAS.
- International awards or outstanding achievements: consider the QMAS Achievement-based Points Test, with a longer first stay.
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.