Hong Kong (China)Investor visa

New CIES investor visa in Hong Kong (China)

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) is a Hong Kong programme for wealthy individuals who are prepared to place substantial capital in permissible financial assets and property in the SAR. The status is not tied to employment and is open to foreign nationals, Chinese nationals with permanent residence abroad, and residents of Macao and Taiwan.

Source: Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department (immd.gov.hk)

Who can apply under the New CIES

Requirements for the applicant

Aged 18 or over at the time of applying for the net asset assessment
Foreign nationals; Chinese nationals with permanent residence abroad; residents of Macao; residents of Taiwan
The scheme is closed to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea
No adverse immigration record

The financial requirement

Net assets of at least HK$30,000,000 net (or the equivalent in a foreign currency), of which the applicant has had continuous control for at least the six months before the application
From 1 March 2025 the applicant's share of joint family assets, to which they have an absolute entitlement, is accepted as proof
The applicant must show the ability to support themselves and their dependants in Hong Kong without relying on income from the investment, on employment or on public assistance

What it costs

Fee for considering a New CIES application — for the applicant and for each dependant	600 HKD
Issue of a visa or entry permit — permitted period of stay longer than 180 days	1 300 HKD
Issue of a visa or entry permit — permitted period of stay of 180 days or less	600 HKD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.	2 500 HKD

Documents to gather

The basic set of documents checked by InvestHK

The online application for the Net Asset Assessment
A fulfilment document — an opinion from a practising certified public accountant (CPA) confirming that the net asset requirement has been met
After investing — the Permissible Investment Assets Statement and supporting documents for each asset purchased
A valid travel document for the applicant and for each dependant

How the process runs

How the process works

1
Net asset assessment at InvestHK
The New CIES Office verifies that the applicant has net assets of at least HK$30,000,000 net, confirmed by a CPA opinion, and issues a certifying proof.
2
Entry application — approval in principle
no more than 180 days to invest
While the certifying proof remains valid, the applicant applies for entry to the Immigration Department. Once the application is approved, a visa or entry permit for visitor status is issued — for no more than 180 days, in order to make the investment.
3
Investing and assessment of compliance with the investment requirements
The applicant places at least HK$27,000,000 in permissible financial assets and/or property and HK$3,000,000 in the New CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited. InvestHK then verifies compliance with the investment requirements and issues a second certifying proof.
4
Permission to stay
The applicant submits the investment certifying proof to the Immigration Department. Once it is approved, permission to stay is granted — for no more than 24 months, limited only by the period of stay and with no other conditions.

Who you can bring with you

A spouse and unmarried children under 18 may become dependants.

A spouse or a partner in a union recognised abroad

The dependant's period of stay normally coincides with the term of the investor applicant's status

Unmarried children under 18

Dependants are not prohibited from working in Hong Kong; for study, the prior permission of the Director of Immigration is not required

Renewal and the grace period

The initial permission to stay is granted for no more than 24 months, limited only by the period of stay. A further extension is normally granted for no more than three years, and it can be extended again under the same procedure. It is better to lodge the application for extension in advance — within the three months before the current period of stay expires, and in any case no later than six weeks before it expires.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After at least 7 years of continuous ordinary residence in the Hong Kong SAR one may apply for the right of abode.

Frequently asked questions about New CIES investor visa

Who can apply under the New CIES?

The applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of applying for the net asset assessment. Foreign nationals, Chinese nationals with permanent residence abroad, residents of Macao and residents of Taiwan may apply. The scheme is closed to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea. Net assets of at least HK$30,000,000 net and the absence of an adverse immigration record are also required.

How much must be invested, and what can the money be placed in?

In total at least HK$30,000,000 net must be invested: at least HK$27,000,000 in permissible financial assets and/or property, and exactly HK$3,000,000 in the New CIES Investment Portfolio managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited. Total investment in property is capped at HK$15,000,000, of which no more than HK$10,000,000 may be in residential property.

How much does it cost to apply under the New CIES?

The fee for considering the application is HK$600 for the applicant and for each dependant, and it is not refunded whatever the decision. A further HK$1,300 is paid for the issue of the visa or entry permit if the permitted period of stay is longer than 180 days, and HK$600 if it is not more than 180 days. These rates have applied since 26 February 2025.

How much time is there to invest, and for how long is the status granted?

Once the entry application is approved, the Immigration Department issues a visa or entry permit for visitor status for no more than 180 days — the investment must be made during that time. Once the investment is confirmed, permission to stay is granted for no more than 24 months, limited only by the period of stay.

Can the investor bring their family?

Yes, a spouse and unmarried children under 18 may become dependants. After at least seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong they are entitled, on the same footing as the applicant, to apply for permanent residence.

Can an investor's dependant work or study in Hong Kong?

Yes. Dependants of New CIES applicants are not among the categories prohibited from taking up employment in Hong Kong. Dependants may study without the prior permission of the Director of Immigration — this rule applies to all categories of dependant.

Does the New CIES by itself give permanent residence?

No. The New CIES does not give permanent residence automatically. After at least seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong the applicant and their dependants are entitled to make a separate application for permanent resident status.

Other ways to move to Hong Kong (China)

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Hong Kong (China).

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.