New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions

Four groups: foreign nationals (except nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the DPRK), Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country, Macao SAR residents and Chinese residents of Taiwan. The applicant must be 18 or above when applying for the Net Asset Assessment and have no adverse immigration record. The Director of Immigration has absolute discretion.

Only if he or she already holds permanent resident status in a foreign country, evidenced by an official document from that country's immigration authority or consulate. Long-term residence visas, work visas and investor residence permits are not permanent residence. The proof is required again at every extension of stay.

Throughout the six months before the Net Asset Assessment application is lodged, under the rule in force since 1 March 2025 (previously two years). "Throughout" means every day of the period, and bank or broker statements must cover the whole period and show the asset breakdown. Net means after deducting mortgages, charges and other liabilities.

A Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant (Practising) as defined in the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance prepares the fulfillment document and the Net Assets Statement at the applicant's cost; a law firm cannot. No more than 14 calendar days may pass between the document's issue date and the lodging of the application.

At least HK$27 million in permissible financial assets and/or real estate, in any mix, plus HK$3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation. Financial assets must be denominated or traded in HKD or RMB: SEHK-listed shares and bonds, government and public-body bonds, certificates of deposit (capped at HK$3 million), subordinated debt, SFC-authorised funds, REITs, investment-linked assurance schemes, open-ended fund companies and limited partnership funds.

Yes, since 16 October 2024, but only one property with a transaction price of at least HK$30 million (HK$50 million for completions before 17 September 2025), and only HK$10 million of it counts. All real estate together is capped at HK$15 million for completions on or after 17 September 2025 (HK$10 million before). Only equity counts; mortgage loans do not. Non-residential property has no price threshold.

No. Assets acquired before 1 March 2024 never count towards the minimum investment. Since 1 November 2026, financial assets bought through non-designated accounts and later transferred into a designated account are also no longer accepted: every countable financial asset must be transacted through the designated account.

A portfolio set up and overseen by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation that invests in innovation and strategic industries with a Hong Kong nexus. It has a lock-up period; whether and when the HK$3 million can be withdrawn afterwards depends on the portfolio's terms and the realisation of its underlying investments, and neither capital nor distributions are guaranteed.

No. All fees, charges, commissions, stamp duties, taxes and levies incurred in acquiring, disposing of or realising assets are excluded, as are accrued interest on bonds and CDs, upfront fees and rebates on funds or ILAS, and margin positions. Investors usually commit slightly more than the threshold and pay costs from outside the designated account.

With up to three eligible financial intermediaries of different categories: an authorised institution under the Banking Ordinance, a corporation licensed for Type 1 or Type 9 regulated activities, or an insurer permitted to carry on Class C business. One intermediary per category, in the applicant's own name or that of a qualifying holding company, used only for permissible assets and never on margin.

A fall below HK$30 million, or a total loss, requires no top-up. A gain cannot be withdrawn: even when the portfolio is worth more than HK$30 million, only cash dividends, interest and rent arising directly from the assets may be taken out. Assets may be switched at any time if the entire market value on the disposal date is reinvested, within 14 calendar days for switches between financial assets.

No. Apart from the intermediary's lien for unpaid fees, no charge, assignment or third-party interest may be created over assets in the designated account. Real estate may be mortgaged with a Hong Kong-licensed bank, but only the equity counts and refinancing may not increase the loan.

No processing time is promised. After approval-in-principle the applicant has 180 days on a visitor visa to complete the investment; after Formal Approval the limit of stay is normally up to 24 months, then extensions of up to three years at a time, applied for within three months and at least six weeks before expiry. ImmD reported the first Formal Approvals in under three months in 2024.

After seven years of continuous ordinary residence the entrant and dependants may apply to ImmD for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card. An entrant who cannot meet that test, for example because of prolonged absence, but whose portfolio has complied for seven years may apply for unconditional stay, which removes all conditions and limits of stay without conferring permanent residence. The investment may be disposed of after either approval.

The spouse, or the other party to a civil partnership, civil union or same-sex marriage legally recognised in the place of celebration, and unmarried dependent children under 18. Dependants may work and study; their stay is linked to the sponsor's; a former spouse cannot extend as a dependant after a divorce, and a child cannot extend as a dependant after turning 18.

Not automatically. The Inland Revenue Department issues a certificate of resident status to a person who ordinarily resides in Hong Kong or stays more than 180 days in a year of assessment or more than 300 days over two consecutive years, and home-jurisdiction rules still apply. Government fees since 26 February 2025 are a non-refundable HK$600 application fee per person per application and a visa fee of HK$600 (180 days or less) or HK$1,300 (181 days or more); CPA, intermediary and transaction costs are paid by the applicant and do not count towards the HK$30 million.