(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-18 23:00

Hong Kong --The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has been revised to cast a wider net for quality migrants, the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced Friday.

The existing upper age limit of 50 has been lifted so applicants aged 51 or above are now eligible, said the department.

The marking scheme under the general points test has been changed so that younger degree holders, in particular those aged 18 to 24, have a better chance to meet the minimum passing mark for further assessment.

Marks, originally accorded only for five years' or more working experience, will also be given to applicants with two to five years' working experience. Extra marks will be given to applicants who are proficient in a foreign language in addition to Putonghua, Cantonese or English.

The extension of stay requirement for entrants admitted through the scheme's achievement-based points test has also been streamlined. An extension will be given to these entrants and their dependents if the department is satisfied they have the financial means to sustain their living in Hong Kong.

The scheme's annual quota of 1,000 entrants will stay. The changes will take immediate effect and the new marking scheme will apply to all applications already submitted and being processed, according to the department.