Hong Kong operates two investment-based visas under its immigration framework. They are known as the Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs (GEP) scheme and the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.
Each visa serves a different profile of investor. The GEP route targets founders who plan to run a local business and contribute to job creation. On the other hand, the New CIES suits passive investors with significant net worth who want to secure residency in exchange for placing capital into approved financial assets.
This guide walks you through the requirements for both pathways, the application process, and steps to ensure a smooth entry.
Core Benefits of Holding a Hong Kong Investment Visa
Securing your residency in Hong Kong through an investment visa offers significant operational and personal advantages. Both offer a secure framework to protect your assets and build a stable future for your family in one of the most business-friendly environments in Asia.
- Official residency and identity cards. Successful applicants receive a Hong Kong Identity Card, which grants non-permanent resident status. The card allows you to pass through automated immigration channels and access local public services such as banking, healthcare, and schooling.
- A clear path to permanent residency. After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence, you can apply for the Right of Abode. This grants you permanent residency, giving you the right to vote, work without visa restrictions, and live in Hong Kong indefinitely.
- Family relocation privileges. You can sponsor your spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 to join you. Family members can study, reside, and take up employment in Hong Kong without applying for separate work permits.
- Favourable tax environment. Hong Kong runs a territorial tax system with low headline rates. Corporate profits tax is capped at 16.5%, with a reduced 8.25% rate on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits. Salaries tax is capped at 15%. There is no capital gains tax, no dividend tax, and no inheritance tax.
- Strategic access to Asian markets. Setting up a base in Hong Kong positions you at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with direct access to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and the broader mainland supply chain. The common law system, freely convertible Hong Kong dollar, and bilateral treaty network make it a practical headquarters for regional expansion.
Types of Investment Visas in Hong Kong
The two schemes operate under different government bodies and require different forms of capital commitment. Below is an overview of their key features and differences.
1. Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs (GEP)
The Investment as Entrepreneurs route sits under the General Employment Policy and is run by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. It is designed for foreign nationals who want to set up a new business or join an existing one in a substantive capacity.
There is no statutory minimum capital for this visa type. Instead, authorities assess whether your business will make a substantial contribution to the local economy. This route suits you if:
- You plan to incorporate or actively manage a company in Hong Kong
- You can demonstrate relevant qualifications, normally a first degree in your field
- Your business will create local jobs or contribute to a priority sector
- You have access to enough capital to fund operations through the early phase
Once approved, the visa gives you the legal right to live in Hong Kong and operate the business you put forward in your application.
| Permitted Activities | Disallowed Activities |
|---|---|
| Live in Hong Kong on a non-permanent resident status for an initial 36 months | Run a business that differs materially from the one approved, without prior approval from the Director of Immigration |
| Operate or join a business approved by the Immigration Department | Take up general employment outside your approved business |
| Extend your stay in a 3-2 year pattern as long as the business remains viable | Apply if you are a Chinese resident of the Mainland or a national of Afghanistan, Cuba, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea |
| Bring your spouse and unmarried children under 18 as dependants who can study and work freely | Sponsor extended family, such as parents or siblings, under the dependant policy |
| Apply for the Right of Abode after seven years of continuous ordinary residence |
2. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
The New CIES launched on 1 March 2024 and targets high-net-worth individuals who want Hong Kong residency through investment without running an active business. The scheme requires a minimum HK$30 million (~USD 3.8 million) commitment, split into:
- HK$27 million (~USD 3.4million) in permissible assets, and
- HK$3 million (~USD 380,000) contribution to the CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited.
Two government bodies share oversight for this visa:
- InvestHK handles the net asset and investment matters
- The Immigration Department issues the formal visa.
| Permitted Activities | Disallowed Activities |
|---|---|
| Live in Hong Kong on a non-permanent resident status, with renewals tied to maintaining your investment | Count residential property toward the HK$30 million investment threshold |
| Bring your spouse and unmarried children under 18 as dependants who can study and work freely | Use assets acquired before the scheme’s March 2024 relaunch toward the threshold calculation |
| Hold qualifying investments through a private holding company, a Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicle, or a Family-owned Special Purpose Entity | Skip the annual portfolio maintenance reports submitted to InvestHK |
| Adjust your portfolio during your stay without losing visa status, provided the minimum investment is maintained | Apply if you are a national of Afghanistan, Cuba, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or a Chinese national without foreign permanent residency |
| Apply for the Right of Abode after seven years of continuous ordinary residence | Treat the HK$3 million CIES Investment Portfolio as a self-directed allocation, since the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited manages it |
Hong Kong’s Investment Visas at a Glance
| Feature | Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs (GEP) | New CIES |
|---|---|---|
| Investor profile | Active entrepreneur or founder | Passive high-net-worth investor |
| Minimum capital | No statutory minimum | HK$30 million (~USD 3.8 million) |
| Business plan | Three-year plan and three-year forecast required | Not required |
| Local sponsor | Required (individual or company) | Not required |
| Initial stay | 36 months | 24 months |
| Extension pattern | 3-year cycle | 3-year cycle, subject to maintaining investment |
| Approving body | Immigration Department | InvestHK assessment + Immigration Department visa |
| Path to permanent residency | After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence | After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence |
Key Requirements to Secure Hong Kong’s Investment Visas
You will generally need a clean immigration record, the right corporate or financial structure, and a complete document set for the application. The exact requirements vary between the two visas.
For the GEP Investment as Entrepreneurs route, you will generally need:
- A valid travel document and recent passport-style photograph
- Proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience
- A detailed three-year business plan with financial forecasts
- Proof of personal and corporate financial standing
- Evidence of business premises, such as a signed commercial lease
- Documents filed with the Companies Registry, including the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate
- A nominated local sponsor, either a Hong Kong company or a Hong Kong resident aged 18 or above
- Proof of jobs created locally, such as MPF contribution records, once the business is operating
For the New CIES route, you will need:
- Proof of net assets of HK$30 million (~USD 3.8 million) held for the six months preceding the application, verified by a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant
- Documentation of the investments placed into permissible assets and the HK$3 million (~USD 380,000) Investment Portfolio contribution
- Evidence that the funds were not acquired before the scheme’s launch date
- A clean immigration and criminal record
- A valid travel document and proof of nationality
How to Apply for Hong Kong’s Investment Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Securing residency through a Hong Kong Investment Visa follows a sequence of steps across banking networks, corporate registries, and immigration departments. The process differs between the two visas, both of which Emerhub handles on your behalf. Below is an overview of the application process.
Application Process for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs (GEP) Visa
The GEP visa revolves around proving your active management role and demonstrating corporate viability. We help you coordinate this process across five clear steps:
- Set Up Your Corporate Structure. You must first register a local private limited company. We serve as your company secretary and prepare all your incorporation documents. You can act as the sole shareholder and director of the company, but you must appoint a local company secretary or a licensed corporate service provider like Emerhub.
- Fund Your Corporate Account. We help you open a corporate bank account in Hong Kong. You must transfer your startup capital into this new account. It is essential to keep all bank transfer receipts because the Immigration Department requires these to prove that your company is funded.
- Establish Local Premises and Sponsorship. You must sign a physical commercial lease for your business and secure a local sponsor. Your sponsor must be a local citizen or a local company. If you do not have a local sponsor, Emerhub can act as your corporate sponsor to fulfill this legal requirement.
- Formulate Your Business Plan and File. Our team helps you draft the required two-year business plan and financial projections. We then prepare and submit your application online, using Form ID(E) 999A for you and Form ID(E) 999B for your local sponsor.
- Receive Approval and Maintain Status. Once approved, you receive an initial 36-month entry visa. We help you manage ongoing compliance filings to ensure your business remains in good standing for your subsequent renewal cycles.
Application Process for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
The New CIES pathway is designed for passive investors. The process centers on asset verification and portfolio management instead of active business operations. Here’s what the application process generally requires:
- Conduct Your Net Asset Assessment. Before you can file your visa application, you must verify your net worth. You must demonstrate that you held at least HK$30 million in net assets for the six months preceding your application. We coordinate with a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant to review and certify your asset documents.
- Submit to InvestHK. We submit your CPA-certified financial records to the New CIES Office under InvestHK. They review your asset portfolio and issue an official verification certificate once they confirm you meet the net worth threshold.
- Obtain Approval-in-Principle. We file your visa paperwork, including Form ID(E) 967, with the Immigration Department. They will issue an Approval-in-Principle along with a visitor entry permit, which allows you to enter Hong Kong to place your capital.
- Allocate Your Portfolio. You must execute your transactions within the permissible timeframe. This involves investing HK$27 million into approved financial assets or eligible real estate, and placing HK$3 million into the CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the government.
- Secure Your Final Visa. Once your funds are allocated, we submit the final proof of investment. The Immigration Department then issues your formal entry visa, which allows you to live in Hong Kong under a renewable pattern.
Our team of specialists can handle the full application process for your Investment Visa in Hong Kong. We coordinate with local authorities, draft your business plans, and set up your corporate registers to align with current immigration standards. We can also act as your compliance partner, handling your company incorporation process and your ongoing compliance.
Get in touch with local advisors to learn more about how we can support your residency in Hong Kong. Fill out the form below for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hong Kong Investment Visa
You can apply for the Investment Visa if your company is still in its startup phase and is not yet profitable. The Immigration Department understands that new businesses take time to generate profit.
The key is to present a strong business plan with realistic financial projections and demonstrate that you have sufficient capital to cover your operational costs. Emerhub assists you in presenting these projections in a way that highlights the long term viability of your business.
Funding requirements depend entirely on the pathway you choose.
The GEP entrepreneur route does not set a statutory minimum investment. However, you must demonstrate sufficient funds to fully support your proposed business operations and cover initial overheads.
In contrast, the New CIES requires a strict minimum capital commitment of HKD 30 million in permissible financial assets or non-residential real estate.
Relocating with your family is fully permitted under both the GEP entrepreneur visa and the New CIES. You can sponsor your spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 as dependents, allowing them to reside, study, and work in Hong Kong without needing separate work permits.
Processing times vary based on the complexity of your application and the visa pathway selected. The Immigration Department typically processes a completed GEP entrepreneur visa application within 4 to 8 weeks.
For the New CIES, the timeline is usually longer because it requires an additional net asset assessment step by the New CIES Office under InvestHK before the formal entry visa application is reviewed.
Transitioning your immigration status while staying in Hong Kong is fully possible for both pathways. Under the GEP entrepreneur scheme, you must register your new company and secure visa approval before you begin operating the business or when your current employment contract ends.
If you are shifting to the New CIES, you must fulfill the asset requirements and submit your application for net asset assessment, ensuring you maintain lawful status in Hong Kong during the transition phase.
