Ask the employer, institution or regulator which evidence it requires before paying for assessment. The correct purpose and report matter as much as having a diploma.
What to have ready
Before you start
HKCAAVQ's individual qualifications assessment offers a professional opinion on whether an applicant's total educational qualifications meet the standard of a particular qualification in Hong Kong. It is not accreditation of the entire institution or programme, and does not itself issue a professional licence. The official process identifies qualifications it cannot assess, including incomplete or unrecognised awards and insufficient study volume. General, teacher-registration and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme purposes have different application considerations. Read the current guidance and purpose description first, and resolve any uncertainty about the report required by the receiving organisation.
What to do, step by step
- Obtain the recipient's written requirement, identifying the award, assessment purpose and submission deadline. For teaching or a regulated profession, consult the specific purpose information rather than copying a friend's general application. Ask the recipient whether it also needs professional registration, language results or other evidence. This prevents the assessment being treated as a substitute for documents that will still be required after the report is issued.
- Prepare identity evidence, award certificates, transcripts and the full education history using the portal checklist. Explain changes of institution, exemptions and credit transfer with supporting records. Follow the prescribed translation and certified-copy arrangements where applicable, and ask about unclear document formats. Do not omit an unsuccessful period or rename the granting institution to resemble a more familiar university; inconsistencies can leave the assessor unable to understand the actual learning pathway.
- Select the appropriate purpose and submit through QA i-Portal or another officially accepted route. Save the application reference, payment record and requests for additional information. Allow time for the former institution to supply evidence and respond to the assessor within the notified period. Check your email and portal status throughout; a paid application remains subject to assessment and is not a confirmed result or a guarantee of completion by your employment deadline.
Costs, timing, and things to check
The portal's schedule effective from 1 April 2026 lists HK$3,250 for general purpose, HK$3,580 for teacher registration and HK$3,860 for QMAS. Recheck the applicable schedule at payment. Translation, certification and delivery can create additional costs. If seeking the non-local-qualifications assessment subsidy, verify its separate approval and evidence requirements before assuming it applies or deducting money from the assessment payment.
After receiving the report, check personal details, qualification and purpose before sending it to the recipient, and retain your copy. Assessment does not guarantee admission, a job or an immigration outcome. For a change of purpose, withdrawal or review, consult the current procedure and charges first. A report prepared for one application should not be assumed to satisfy a different recipient without checking its stated requirements.
A practical example
A resident with a mainland university qualification receives an employer's request for general qualifications assessment. They obtain the written requirement and prepare certificates, transcripts and credit-transfer records. When another role requires professional registration, they ask its regulator separately. The assessment and licensing files remain distinct, with each submission supported by the documents its decision-maker actually requested.
Confirm the purpose, submit a complete assessment application and check how the recipient will use the result.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.