What You Need to Know About the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

Launched in March 2024, Hong Kong’s revamped Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) is pulling in affluent individuals and business elites eager to invest in the bustling city. With over 800 applications in its debut year, 733 were confirmed to meet the scheme's net asset criteria.

Of those, 240 applicants successfully met the necessary investment requirements. Aiming to enhance its appeal, new measures will roll out on March 1, 2025, promising even more incentives for prospective investors.

Scheme Features: Your Pathway to Residency in Hong Kong

Often termed an investment immigration pathway, the new CIES allows approved applicants and their dependents to reside in Hong Kong for up to 24 months, with the option to extend this stay for an additional three years. Applicants must maintain their initial investment throughout this period and can apply for permanent residency after residing continuously in HK for seven years.

Who Can Apply? Understanding Eligibility

The scheme is open to foreign nationals but notably excludes PRC nationals—unless they possess permanent resident status in a foreign country. Meanwhile, residents from Macau and Taiwan are welcome to participate.

Net Wealth and Investment Requirements

Each applicant must demonstrate net assets of at least HKD 30 million (around USD 3.9 million) over the six months preceding their application. Within the investment timeline, they are required to invest at least HKD 27 million in approved assets and deposit HKD 3 million into the CIES Investment Portfolio, a fund managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation.

From March 1, 2025, assets owned jointly with family members will count towards the net wealth criterion, proportional to the applicant's share.

Permissible Investment Assets: A Breakdown

Investments can be made in a variety of assets, including: - Shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange - Debt securities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange - Certificates of deposit from authorized institutions (up to HKD 3 million) - Ownership interests in limited partnership funds (up to HKD 10 million) - Real estate valued at HKD 10 million (for properties with a market price of at least HKD 50 million)