Hong Kong’s Capital Investment Entrant Scheme – Introduction
Introduced in the 2023-2024 Budget and launched on 1 March 2024, Hong Kong’s revamped Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) is designed to attract substantial new capital and enrich the city’s talent pool.
This initiative is a part of eight policy measures to develop Family Office Businesses, as outlined by the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau in March 2023.
Eligibility and Investment Requirements
The New CIES is tailored for natural persons who meet specific criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older
- Nationality/Residence: Eligible applicants include foreign nationals (excluding nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea), Chinese nationals with permanent residence in a foreign country, residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region, or Chinese residents of Taiwan.
- Net Asset Requirement: Applicants must prove ownership of net assets valued at no less than HK$30 million for at least two years prior to their application.
- Investment in Permissible Assets: A minimum investment of HK$30 million in permissible assets post-March 1, 2024, is required.
Types of Permissible Investment Assets
Applicants must invest in both of the following categories:
- Financial Assets**: Including equities, debt securities, and certificates of deposits listed or denominated in Hong Kong dollars or Renminbi.
- Non-residential Real Estate**: Subject to a cap of HK$10 million, eligible investments include properties for commercial and industrial uses, excluding multi-purpose properties with residential components.
Application Process
The application process requires that the investment assets be managed by approved financial intermediaries and kept in accounts under the applicant’s name.
Compliance with ongoing portfolio maintenance is essential, and applicants must not withdraw any capital gains if the value of their investments exceeds HK$30 million, though they are allowed to withdraw dividends, interest, and rental income.
Key Benefits & Considerations
- No Adverse Immigration Record: Applicants should have a clean immigration record and meet standard security requirements.
- Financial Self-sufficiency: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to support themselves and their dependents without relying on employment or public assistance in Hong Kong.
This streamlined scheme emphasizes capital investment without the added requirements of educational background or work experience, unlike other immigration pathways such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme.
The New CIES’s Impact on Hong Kong
The New CIES not only raises the threshold for permissible investments to HK$30 million but also broadens the scope of acceptable investment assets.
This approach is expected to draw high-net-worth individuals to Hong Kong, bolstering its reputation as a global hub for asset and wealth management.
Hong Kong’s Capital Investment Entrant Scheme – Conclusion
The New CIES has generated significant interest among financial institutions, underscoring its potential to transform Hong Kong’s economic landscape by attracting new capital and fostering the growth of strategic industries beneficial to long-term development.
As this scheme progresses, it is poised to make a marked impact on Hong Kong’s position in the global financial arena.
Final thoughts
If you have any further queries about Hong Kong’s Capital Investment Entrant Scheme then please get in touch.