Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme requirements

Hong Kong's Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has published rules. The Immigration Department says the scheme is suspended, and its information describes the rules that applied to applicants.

Locator map showing the position of Hong Kong — Locator map of Hong Kong. Original drawing from Natural Earth public-domain boundary data.

Status and authority

The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is suspended. The Government suspended the scheme with effect from 15 January 2015, until further notice. The Immigration Department describes the scheme as governed by its Rules for the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. It also identifies the Director of Immigration as the authority who decides residence applications under the scheme.^[1]^[2]

Eligibility and investment threshold

The published rules set a minimum age of 18 and require an applicant to have net assets of at least HK$10 million for the two years before application. The applicant must have invested, or plan to invest after approval in principle, at least HK$10 million in permitted asset classes. The rules specify a six-month period before application for investment already made, and a six-month period after approval in principle for investment still to be made. Certificates of deposit are subject to the latter timing condition.^[1]

The asset classes listed are Hong Kong listed equities, specified Hong Kong dollar debt securities, certificates of deposit, subordinated debt and eligible collective investment schemes. The rules state that the applicant is not to engage in running a business in Hong Kong under the scheme. Portfolio maintenance requirements apply during the permitted stay, including using a designated account with one financial intermediary for specified financial assets.^[1]

The scope listed by the Immigration Department includes foreign nationals, with exclusions for nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It also lists Macao SAR residents, Chinese nationals with permanent resident status abroad, certain stateless persons with foreign permanent resident status and proven re-entry facilities, and Taiwan residents. The published eligibility criteria also require an applicant to show capacity to support and accommodate themselves and any dependants without relying on investment returns, Hong Kong employment or public assistance.^[1]

Family members

The scheme's dependant category covers a spouse or a legally recognized civil union or marriage partner, and unmarried dependent children under 18. The Immigration Department says dependants may be allowed to accompany the entrant if the entrant can support and accommodate them without relying on investment returns, Hong Kong employment or public assistance. Dependant entry is also subject to other policies applicable when an application is made.^[1]

The dependant provisions include same-sex and opposite-sex civil partnerships, civil unions or marriages where the relationship is entered into under local law and legally and officially recognized by the authorities where celebrated. De facto partners and cohabiting partners are excluded from those relationship categories.^[1]

Stay, extension and residence status

After approval in principle, the entrant is initially permitted to enter Hong Kong on visitor status for three months. The visitor period may be extended for another three months if there is evidence of active progress in investment. Once evidence shows that the required investment has been made, formal approval allows a two-year stay. Further three-year extensions are granted if the entrant continues to meet eligibility and portfolio maintenance requirements.^[1]

An entrant or dependant admitted under the scheme may apply for an extension within the three months before the permitted stay expires. An entrant and dependants may apply for the right of abode after at least seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, in accordance with the law.^[1]

Government-published fees

An application fee applies to each principal applicant or dependant making an entry or change-of-stay application under a specified scheme. Upon approval, a visa issuance fee applies. The fee amount depends on whether the relevant period is more than 180 days or no more than 180 days. The application fee is non-refundable.^[3]

Questions and answers

Is the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme accepting applications?

No. The Government suspended the scheme until further notice.

What investment amount did the published rules specify?

The rules specified at least HK$10 million in permissible investment asset classes. They also set a net asset threshold of at least HK$10 million for the two years before application.^[1]

Which family members could be included?

The published dependant category covered a spouse or qualifying legally recognized partner and unmarried dependent children under 18. The entrant had to be capable of supporting and accommodating dependants under the stated rules.^[1]

How long could permission to stay last?

The published arrangements began with three months on visitor status after approval in principle. Formal approval allowed a two-year stay after proof of the required investment, with further three-year extensions subject to continued eligibility and portfolio maintenance.^[1]

Did the scheme provide a route to the right of abode?

The Immigration Department says an entrant and dependants may apply for the right of abode after at least seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong.

What are the published application and visa issuance fees?

The application fee is HK$600 for each applicant. The visa issuance fee is HK$1,300 for a relevant period longer than 180 days, or HK$600 for a period of 180 days or less.^[3]

Related glossary terms

Residence by investment: Residence by investment links an investment to residence status or a permit. Each country sets its own investment rules, as well as income and family rules.
Tax residence: Tax residence describes a person's status in a country for tax purposes. Treaty texts address how it affects income items and applicable treaty requirements.