Random QMAS Question

QMAS 2 GO · 03-06-2011, 06:10 AM

Greetings everyone,

First time around as a poster, but definitely grateful for all the quality contributions that go on around here.

I understand that under QMAS one has literally one full year to settle in Hong Kong. So technically, as long as that "settlement" takes place before the application for the extension everything should be ok. Is this correct?

Now, if someone is granted QMAS, but is unable to settle before this 1 year renewal, is it conceivable that an extension is granted if a clear case is presented? Only immigration has the answer of course, but curious if anyone has any color based on experience, anecdotal evidence, etc.

Finally, what's your read on someone applying to QMAS, obtaining it, yet being unable to move now and being forced to reapply in the future. Would that have a negative o positive impact on the application? Considering right now not all "spots" are taken, at the very least we know that this does not result in someone else losing their spot.

Thank you all.

Q2G

vmlinuz · 03-06-2011, 11:09 AM

I think it's pretty clear that if you don't expect to be able to move to HK within a year of the visa grant - which is not likely to be less than 6-9 months after application, after all - then you shouldn't be applying yet. I can't really see any reason why they'd grant you an extension, given that the rules say that in order to extend/renew after the first year, you must have taken up residence - i.e. moved to Hong Kong, bought/rented somewhere to live, and found a job or started a company.

My gut feeling would be that the wouldn't extend, but might invite you to apply again - and that it might count against you if your application was borderline in some way, but that otherwise it probably wouldn't be a problem...

raka · 27-06-2011, 01:29 AM

there is no such critaria of settlement in QMAS, they just want to see u doing something positive within first year . thats all.

PDLM · 27-06-2011, 07:45 AM

From: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - Immigration Department

For persons admitted through the General Points Test under the Scheme

To obtain an extension of stay at the end of the first 12-month period, a person admitted through the General Points Test under the Scheme is required to provide evidence demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Immigration Department that he/she has taken steps to settle in Hong Kong by taking up residence here, e.g. by securing a gainful employment or establishing a business.

To be eligible for further extension of stay, a person admitted through the General Points Test under the Scheme is required to provide evidence demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Immigration Department that:

he/she has settled in Hong Kong; and
he/she has made contribution to Hong Kong, such as engaging in a graduate, specialist or senior level gainful employment or establishing a business of a reasonable size in Hong Kong.

star-anise · 27-06-2011, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by raka:

there is no such critaria of settlement in QMAS, they just want to see u doing something positive within first year . thats all.

That's interesting. How would you contribute to HK without being there physically during the first year? ie. you aren't even paying tax there. Would suggest you to go through the document rigourously before giving advice to others.

Just to answer OP's question, from what I learnt is that if the successful QMAS applicant is not able to settle in HK during the first 12 months. He will need a valid reason for the IMMD to consider whether to grant him/her a further 12 months visa. It is up to the IMMD to decide but there is no guarantee. However, the applicant is not able to enter and settle in HK during the 12 months extension period, he will no longer be qualified for any extension at all.