Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

Key requirements

We model HK$30 million as about USD 3.85 million for matcher planning. Real estate and financial asset caps change with scheme updates.

• Income we use for estimatesNot set in data
• SavingsOften ~$3,850,000+
• Accepted income typesSavings only, Passive income
• Remote work allowedNo
• Local employment allowedNo
• Health insuranceNot flagged in model
• Criminal record checkUsually required
• Accommodation proofUsually required
• Bank accountUsually required
• Processing (rough)Often several months from net asset assessment to formal approval

InvestHK handles asset and investment compliance. Immigration handles entry permits and extensions. Keep both portals and your financial intermediary aligned on deadlines.

1. 1

   Confirm CIES fits your profile

   Read the New Scheme Rules and check age, dependants, and whether your wealth is in deployable form rather than illiquid assets immigration excludes.

2. 2

   Engage a Hong Kong practising CPA

   Hire a CPA to help prepare the net asset statement and fulfillment document InvestHK requires.

3. 3

   File net asset assessment with InvestHK

   Submit the online net asset assessment with CPA-signed papers showing HK$30 million net assets for the prior six months.

4. 4

   Receive InvestHK certifying proof

   After verification, obtain the certifying proof and use it within the validity window to lodge your immigration entry application.

5. 5

   Apply to Immigration for approval in principle

   File the entry application to the Director of Immigration with identity, travel, and dependency documents.

6. 6

   Enter Hong Kong on the visitor window

   Use the visa or entry permit (often up to 180 days) to complete the committed investment inside Hong Kong.

7. 7

   Place HK$3 million in the CIES portfolio

   Transfer the mandatory HK$3 million into the CIES Investment Portfolio managed under the scheme rules.

8. 8

   Deploy the remaining permissible assets

   Invest the balance in approved financial assets and/or real estate within caps, including residential limits if you use property.

9. 9

   Complete investment verification

   Submit proof to InvestHK that the full HK$30 million is in permissible assets within the required timeframe.

10. 10

    Receive formal approval and HKID

    After investment checks pass, finalize immigration approval, complete biometrics, and collect Hong Kong ID for entrant status.

11. 11

    Meet portfolio maintenance rules

    File anniversary submissions, keep assets in permissible form, and respond quickly to InvestHK or immigration notices.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Hong Kong CIES rules were updated in 2025 and 2026. Read newcies.gov.hk and Immigration Department guidance and use licensed advisers before you move funds.

Pathway last reviewed: 2026-06-15

Citizenship & nationality

CIES is open to most nationalities that pass security checks. InvestHK verifies wealth and portfolio compliance. Immigration handles entry permits and extensions.

• •Net asset assessment needs HK$30 million beneficially owned for the six months before InvestHK review, signed by a Hong Kong practising CPA.
• •After approval in principle, you must place HK$30 million in permissible assets within the immigration deadline, including HK$3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio.
• •Real estate counts only within caps: HK$15 million aggregate, HK$10 million residential, with stricter single-residential transaction rules from September 2025 completions.
• •Assets acquired before the New Scheme launch date cannot count toward the minimum investment amount.
• •Maintaining permissible assets and filing anniversary submissions with InvestHK is required to keep entrant status.
• •Ordinary residence of seven years may lead to permanent residence separately from the investment rules.

Read newcies.gov.hk scheme rules and Immigration Department guidance before you move funds or sign property contracts.

Best for

• •People planning to stay several years with a clear residence record
• •Anyone weighing tax context alongside lifestyle and logistics

Long-term path

• Permanent residence: Possible, but depends on your case
• Citizenship: No

CIES grants entrant stay tied to maintained investments. Permanent residence follows general seven-year ordinary residence rules if you qualify.

Practical difficulty

hard

Rough guide only. Your case depends on papers, timing, and rule changes.

Hard because of capital size, CPA net asset assessment, strict investment deployment deadlines, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.