News and developments
Hong Kong Will Soon Launch The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Residence by Investment Option
This scheme will offer eligible applicants the opportunity to reside in Hong Kong by investing HKD 30 million or more in a range of permissible assets, without establishing or operating a business. Though the government aims to officially launch this new scheme in mid-2024, you may first familiarize yourself with the basic eligibility criteria, investment options, and application procedures.
Key Points
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- The scheme is designed for foreign nationals who want to invest in Hong Kong and obtain residency.
- Eligible applicants must invest HKD30 million or above in permissible assets.
- Applicants must be aged 18 or above and have a clean immigration record.
- After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, the entrant and their dependents may apply for permanent residency.
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- Foreign nationals;
- Macao residents;
- Chinese nationals with permanent resident status in a foreign country; and
- Chinese residents of Taiwan.
Some Admission Requirements
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- Age: 18 years or older
- Immigration record: Free from any adverse immigration history
- Net asset: Minimum of HKD30 million for the two years preceding the application
- Investment: HKD30 million or more invested in permissible asset classes
What Are Investment Requirements?
The applicant should invest not less than HKD 30 million in the permissible investment assets to meet the investment thresholds. To elaborate, the applicant will be required to invest a minimum of HKD 27 million in one or a combination of the following specified asset classes:-
- Equities, notably shares of listed companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“SEHK”);
- Debt securities listed on the SEHK, and the fixed or floating rate instruments and convertible bonds issued or fully guaranteed by the Hong Kong Government, the Exchange Fund, the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation, MTR Corporation Limited, Hong Kong Airport Authority, and other corporations, agencies or bodies owned by the Hong Kong Government;
- Certificates of Deposits issued by authorized institutions with a remaining term to maturity of not less than 12 months at the time of purchase, subject to a cap of 10% of the minimum investment threshold of HKD30 million;
- Subordinated debt issued by authorized institutions;
- Eligible collective investment schemes including Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)-authorized funds, SFC-authorized real estate investment trusts, SFC-authorised Investment-Linked Assurance Schemes, and open-ended fund companies managed by corporations licensed by or institutions registered with the SFC;
- Ownership interest in limited partnership funds; and
- Non-residential real estate including pre-completion properties and excluding land, subject to a cap of HKD 10 million.