New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
Relaunched 1 March 2024 · A stable pathway to Hong Kong residency
Relaunched on 1 March 2024, the New CIES requires eligible high-net-worth investors to invest at least HK$30 million in permissible financial assets (stocks, funds, bonds, certificates of deposit, etc.) and non-residential real estate (subject to caps). Applicants and their dependants may apply for permanent residency after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong.
1. Basic Requirements
- Age：18 years or above.
- Nationality：Foreign nationals, Chinese nationals with foreign permanent residency, Macao residents, or Taiwan residents.
- Asset proof：Net assets of at least HK$30 million for 6 months prior to and at the time of application.
- Clean record：No adverse record in Hong Kong or place of residence.
2. Investment Requirements
- Total investment：At least HK$30 million.
- Permissible assets：At least HK$27 million in financial assets (stocks, bonds, CDs, eligible collective investment schemes).
- CIES portfolio：HK$3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio (promoting Hong Kong-Shenzhen financial cooperation).
- Real estate rules：Non-residential real estate is capped at HK$15 million toward the total.
3. Residency & Application Process
- Visa pattern：2+3+3 years. Initial approval allows a 2-year stay, then 3 years per renewal.
- Permanent residency：After 7 years of continuous ordinary residence, investors and family may apply for permanent residency.
- Dependants：May bring spouse and unmarried children under 18.
4. Key Advantages
- No quota limit, no age or language requirements.
- Investors need not start a business or work in Hong Kong.
- Simple tax regime with no estate duty.
HK$30M Investment Allocation
Programme Comparison
Four mainstream pathways to Hong Kong at a glance
| Item | CIES | TTPS | QMAS | GEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core requirement | Invest HK$30M | Salary HK$2.5M or top-100 university | Points-based (education/work) | Hong Kong employment |
| Capital threshold | High (asset review) | Low | Low | Low |
| Work requirement | None | Employed/self-employed at renewal | Employed/self-employed at renewal | Employed at application |
| Processing time | ~3-6 months | ~1-2 months | ~6-9 months | ~1-2 months |
Application Process
Standard procedure for the New CIES
Net Asset Verification
Apply to the New CIES Office to verify compliance with the net asset requirement; a certificate is issued and the Director of Immigration is notified.
Immigration Application — Approval-in-Principle
Submit the entry application within the certificate's validity. With approval-in-principle, enter Hong Kong as a visitor for up to 180 days to make the committed investment.
Investment Verification
After completing the investment, apply to the Office to verify compliance with the investment requirement.
Immigration Application — Formal Approval
Upon submission of the certificate, the Director grants formal approval for a stay of up to 24 months.
Investment Management Verification
Before the 24-month stay expires, apply to the Office to verify compliance with investment management requirements.
Extension of Stay
Apply for extension before the stay expires; generally up to 3 years per extension.
Permanent Residency
After no fewer than 7 years of continuous ordinary residence, apply for permanent residency.
Unconditional Stay
If the residence requirement is unmet but investment rules are met for 7 years, apply for unconditional stay.
Hong Kong Government Websites
Frequently Asked Questions
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