New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Launched in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s government has launched the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme to attract investors and strengthen its financial hub status. Effective from March 1, 2024, the program allows eligible individuals to secure residency through investments in approved ventures, aiming to bolster talent and increase capital investment.

The Hong Kong government has launched the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (hereinafter, “New CIES”), a program designed to attract investors, create more investment opportunities, and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub.

Effective from March 1, 2024, the New CIES allows eligible individuals, including foreign nationals and Chinese nationals with foreign permanent residency, to secure residency in Hong Kong through investments in approved ventures.

Announced in the 2023-2024 Budget, the New CIES aims at bolstering Hong Kong’s talent pool and drawing in increased capital investment to the region. It is one of the eight policy measures outlined in the Policy Statement on Cultivating Family Office Enterprises in Hong Kong, released by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau in March 2023.

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Office (New CIES Office) within Invest Hong Kong is responsible for evaluating the financial assets and investments of applicants/entrants under the New CIES. It also ensures their continued compliance with the Investment Requirements and Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration (DoI) handles the review of applications for visas/entry permits, extensions of stay, and unconditional stays in alignment with the New CIES.

Subject to the provisions outlined in the Rules for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES Rules), applicants must meet the several criteria to be eligible to apply to the DoI for a visa/entry permit to enter or reside in Hong Kong under the New CIES.

The eligibility criteria are highlighted in the table below.

This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.

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