Hong Kong

The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) is Hong Kong’s residency by investment program, relaunched in 2023. It allows eligible individuals to obtain a Hong Kong residence visa by investing a minimum of HKD 30 million in permissible financial assets. These include equities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, eligible debt securities, certificates of deposit, subordinated debt, collective investment schemes, and a limited allocation to the new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Investment Portfolio. Applicants must demonstrate that they have held net assets of at least HKD 30 million for the two years preceding the application. The investment must be maintained for a continuous period of seven years.

Under the current CIES framework, residential real estate does not qualify as a permissible asset class for the investment portfolio. The scheme is focused on financial assets that contribute to the development of Hong Kong’s financial markets. However, there is no restriction on CIES applicants purchasing property in Hong Kong separately for personal use or investment purposes, subject to applicable stamp duties. Non-permanent residents are subject to additional buyer’s stamp duty on property purchases.

After seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, CIES participants may apply for the right of abode, which is equivalent to permanent residency. Permanent residents enjoy the right to live and work in Hong Kong without restriction, access to public services, and eligibility to apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport. The seven-year period requires maintaining the qualifying investment and demonstrating a genuine connection to Hong Kong, though there is flexibility regarding the amount of time spent physically in the territory.

Hong Kong operates a territorial tax system, meaning only income arising in or derived from Hong Kong is subject to tax. Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxable. The salaries tax rate is capped at 15%, and the profits tax rate for corporations is 16.5% (with the first HKD 2 million of profits taxed at 8.25%). There is no capital gains tax, no VAT or sales tax, no withholding tax on dividends paid to non-residents, and no estate duty. This simple, low-tax framework makes Hong Kong one of the most attractive jurisdictions for international wealth management and business operations.

The CIES is open to foreign nationals (excluding Mainland Chinese residents), Macau SAR residents, Taiwan residents, and stateless persons who have resided overseas. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have net assets of no less than HKD 30 million held continuously for the two years prior to application, have no adverse immigration record, and be able to demonstrate that the source of their wealth is legitimate. Mainland Chinese nationals are not eligible for the CIES but may explore other immigration schemes. Our advisory team can assess your eligibility and guide you through the application requirements.